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New homes and housing · Gloucestershire

Affordable Housing in Gloucester

How is new affordable housing delivered in Gloucester?

If you are hoping to rent or buy an affordable home in Gloucester, the first contact is usually the council or a housing association, not the developer. They decide who is eligible and who is offered each home. Developers such as Land to Homes deliver affordable homes, often secured through planning obligations, and hand them to a registered provider to manage or sell.

Bright new-build kitchen-diner with grey units and glazed doors to a gardenGloucester · GL1

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 Gloucester

Gloucester (GL1) anchors our coverage of Gloucestershire, which takes in 7 other places. Cheltenham is the closest neighbouring place we cover, at about 7 miles, followed by Stroud and Tewkesbury. Gloucester is in the South West region of England. From our Birmingham head office in Great Barr, Gloucester is about 50 miles away.

When you register for Gloucester, you can choose homes for first-time buyers, larger family homes or two- and three-bedroom family homes. As Gloucester is in England, applications are judged against the National Planning Policy Framework, and the buyer of land pays Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

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

Our approach in Gloucester

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.

Designed to fit in

We design affordable homes to sit alongside homes for sale and spread them through a scheme, so the tenures are hard to tell apart.

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.

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.

Planning and land rules in Gloucester

Councils and housing associations around Gloucester can bid for grant through Homes England's Social and Affordable Homes Programme, which funds Social Rent, Affordable Rent at up to 80% of market rent, and shared ownership. Landlords of the rented homes must be registered with the Regulator of Social Housing. National policy also expects local plans to set a minimum Social Rent proportion for major development. Land to Homes is ready to discuss sites, partnership and delivery.

In England, affordable housing is defined in the National Planning Policy Framework and is usually secured through Section 106 agreements. Homes are transferred to registered providers regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing. Grant funding is usually channelled through Homes England, or the Greater London Authority in London. Tenures include social rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and discounted market sale.

Key rules in Gloucester
In-principle consentOutline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later
Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer)Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
How a sale becomes bindingA land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry.
Developer contributionsSection 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it

Affordable Housing in Gloucester: questions

What is the difference between social rent and affordable rent?

Social rent is the lowest-cost rented housing, with rents in England set using a government formula and kept low by policy or regulation elsewhere. Affordable rent, used mainly in England, is set by reference to local market rents and is usually higher than social rent. Both are let by councils and registered providers to eligible households.

Who decides if I am eligible for an affordable home?

The council, the housing association or other provider, and the rules of the particular scheme. Eligibility usually depends on household income, housing need and sometimes a local connection to the area. Land to Homes does not decide eligibility or allocate homes. If you are interested, contact your local council's housing team and housing associations working 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.

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.

Can I register for new homes in Gloucester?

Yes. Registering for Gloucester is free and does not commit you to anything. There are no homes available yet; if we bring homes forward in or near Gloucester, we will contact you.

Read more: Affordable Housing · Guide: Section 106 and affordable housing: what landowners should know

Affordable Housing elsewhere in Gloucestershire

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.

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