Planning specialist hits approval high

A North East property planning specialist is reporting a record year as housing demand continues to drive development activity across the region.

Hedley Planning has achieved its highest-ever level of residential approvals, having either submitted or secured consent for 3322 new homes across the North East during 2025. 

The firm, which has offices in Newcastle and Hexham, managed planning work on 84 schemes for a range of clients, including volume housebuilders and affordable housing providers.

According to the House Builders Federation’s housing calculator, the approved developments are expected to support more than 11,000 jobs, deliver £3 million in open space contributions, £20 million towards infrastructure and generate £88 million in council tax revenue.

Projects approved over the year span County Durham and Northumberland, including hundreds of new homes and affordable developments on Green Belt land in Hexham. 

Many schemes are aimed at supporting first-time buyers and young families by increasing the supply of accessible, entry-level housing.

Alex Franklin, associate director at the Newcastle office, said: “With planning reforms this year set to streamline planning permission, these figures reflect the wider strength of the North East market and our hopes for busy and buoyant planning activity across all sections of the residential development spectrum. 

“We are looking forward to continuing to unlock new opportunities for builders and developers regardless of scale and size, and support the creation of more quality, sustainable homes across the North East.”

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