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New homes and housing · County Londonderry

Affordable Housing in Magherafelt

How is new affordable housing delivered in Magherafelt?

Land to Homes includes affordable housing in the schemes it plans in Magherafelt, usually delivered through a planning obligation and transferred to a registered housing provider. The types vary by nation and local policy, from social rent to shared ownership and discounted sale. You can register interest with us, but eligibility and allocation are always decided by the council or provider.

Hand holding a house key in front of the open front door of a new brick homeMagherafelt · BT45

Register your interest

Tell us where you want to live and what you need. Free, no obligation.

Registering interest is not a housing application. Social and affordable homes are allocated by councils and housing providers through their own lists.

Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.

  • Free to registerNo fees, no deposit, no obligation
  • Hear firstIf homes are released near you
  • Affordable homesWith councils and housing associations
  • Clear informationTenure, specification and warranty
  • UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI

New homes around Magherafelt

Magherafelt sits about 33 miles south-east of Derry/Londonderry in County Londonderry, in the BT45 postcode district. Cookstown is the closest neighbouring place we cover, at about 9 miles, followed by Ballymena and Antrim.

Registrations for Magherafelt cover one- and two-bedroom apartments, homes for shared ownership and homes for first-time buyers. Planning in Magherafelt follows Northern Ireland’s rules: the Strategic Planning Policy Statement sets national policy and the council’s Local Development Plan sets local policy.

Tell us what you need in Magherafelt and we will be in touch if homes are released nearby.

What we offer in Magherafelt

Eligibility set by others

Who can apply is set by the council, the housing provider and the scheme rules. We explain the process, but we do not decide eligibility or allocations.

Help for landowners

We explain how affordable housing requirements affect what a site is worth, so landowners understand an offer rather than just receiving one.

Delivered through planning

Affordable homes are usually secured by a planning obligation, such as a Section 106 or Section 75 agreement, agreed with the council at planning stage.

Nation-aware delivery

Affordable housing works differently in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and we follow the rules and funding routes of each.

The Northern Irish system, as it applies in Magherafelt

Social homes in Magherafelt are built mainly by registered housing associations through the Social Housing Development Programme. The Department for Communities funds the programme and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive manages it, assessing need and drawing up a rolling three-year plan. Housing associations are regulated by the Department for Communities. Land to Homes can bring forward land and build homes for housing association partners.

In Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive is the strategic housing authority and manages the Social Housing Development Programme, while housing associations regulated by the Department for Communities build and manage most new social homes. Affordable housing can be secured through Section 76 agreements, and shared ownership is offered mainly through Co-Ownership.

Key rules in Magherafelt
Who decides applicationsThe 11 district councils, with the Department for Infrastructure deciding regionally significant applications
In-principle consentOutline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later
Land registrationLand & Property Services (Land Registry and Registry of Deeds)
Developer contributionsSection 76 planning agreements under the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (there is no Community Infrastructure Levy)

Affordable Housing in Magherafelt: questions

What is shared ownership?

Shared ownership lets you buy a share of a home, usually with a mortgage, and pay rent to the housing provider on the remaining share. You can normally buy further shares over time, which is known as staircasing. Schemes and rules differ by nation and by provider, so check the details and take independent legal and financial advice before committing.

What counts as affordable housing?

Affordable housing is housing for sale or rent for people whose needs are not met by the market, provided on terms set by planning policy. It typically includes social rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and discounted market sale. The exact definitions differ by nation: England's are in the National Planning Policy Framework, and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own.

Can I register interest in an affordable home with Land to Homes?

Yes, but registering with us is not an application and does not affect eligibility. If a site we bring forward includes affordable homes, we will tell you which council or housing provider is responsible so you can apply through them. You should also register directly with your council and with housing associations in the area.

Does affordable housing reduce what my land is worth?

It usually affects value, because affordable homes are transferred to a provider for less than open market homes would sell for. The council's affordable housing policy, and other planning obligations, are among the costs a buyer allows for when valuing land. Our free site appraisal explains how these factors apply to your site.

Are there new homes available in Magherafelt now?

Not yet. Land to Homes has no homes available in Magherafelt at the moment. You can register your interest for Magherafelt, and we will contact you if we bring homes forward there or nearby.

Read more: Affordable Housing · Guide: Renting a new-build home: tenancy rules in England, Wales, Scotland and NI

Affordable Housing elsewhere in County Londonderry

Own land that could take new homes?

Start with a free, no-obligation site appraisal. On option and promotion agreements we fund the planning work and pay your reasonable legal fees.

CallRegister interest