Architecture and Masterplanning in Eltham
Architecture and masterplanning in Eltham is the design work that turns a parcel of land into a layout of homes, streets and open space that a council can approve and a builder can deliver. Land to Homes prepares capacity studies, site layouts, house types and design statements, testing each one against planning policy, access, drainage and the character of the area.
Eltham · SE9Free site appraisal
Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- Free site appraisalNo cost, no obligation
- Legal fees coveredReasonable fees, on options and promotion
- Nothing to pay upfrontOn promotion: we fund planning
- Direct purchaseSuitable sites, with or without planning
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Our work around Eltham
Eltham (SE9) is one of the Greater London towns we cover, about 9 miles south-east of London. Blackheath is the closest neighbouring place we cover, at about 2 miles, followed by Welling and Catford. Eltham is part of England’s London region.
Near Eltham, we look at land where self-build plots could suit the market, sites where the layout needs to change and fields that need a masterplan before an application. In England, where Eltham sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).
If you have a site near Eltham that is stuck, a short call is the best place to start.
How we work in Eltham
Funded on promotion
Where we promote your land, the design work is part of the planning work we fund, recovered from the sale proceeds only if the land sells with planning.
Buildability checked
We test every scheme for construction cost and practicality, so the consent we seek is for homes that can actually be built and then sold or let.
Clear plans for landowners
We explain drawings in plain terms, so you can see how your land would be used, where the access runs and what land might be left over.
Drainage and ecology built in
Sustainable drainage, biodiversity and tree retention shape the layout from the first sketch, rather than being squeezed in after the homes are placed.
Planning and land rules in Eltham
In England, most planning applications for new homes in Eltham are decided by the local planning authority, usually the council, using its Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework. Many landowners sell without planning, either outright or through an option or promotion agreement that funds the application first. Land to Homes offers a free site appraisal, pays your reasonable legal fees on option and promotion agreements, and can buy suitable sites directly, subject to survey, title and contract.
In England, the National Planning Policy Framework places strong weight on well-designed places, and the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code shape what councils expect. Many councils have adopted local design codes. Most applications must also deliver biodiversity net gain, which affects how much of a site is set aside for habitat.
| Local planning document | Local Plan |
|---|---|
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
| How a sale becomes binding | A 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 contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Questions about Architecture and Masterplanning in Eltham
What is a design and access statement?
It is a short report submitted with certain planning applications that explains the design principles behind a scheme and how people will get to and move around it. In England and Wales it is usually needed for major development and for some smaller schemes in sensitive areas. Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own requirements for design statements.
Do new housing schemes need sustainable drainage?
In most cases, yes. National and local policy usually expects new developments to manage rainwater sustainably, for example with swales, ponds and permeable paving. In Wales, most new developments need separate approval from the local SuDS approving body. We design drainage into the layout from the start, because it can take up a real share of the site.
Do I need an architect for a planning application?
Not by law, but a well-designed scheme with clear drawings stands a much better chance. Larger schemes also need specialist input from landscape architects, highways engineers, drainage engineers and ecologists. Where Land to Homes promotes land, we appoint and fund the design team as part of the planning work, so the landowner does not need to.
What is a design code?
A design code is a set of simple, measurable design rules for an area or a site, covering matters such as building heights, materials, street widths and green space. In England, councils are encouraged to produce design codes, guided by the National Model Design Code. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland use design guides and placemaking policies to similar effect.
Do you take on planning and building work in Eltham?
Yes, on sites we buy, option, promote or develop in partnership in Eltham and elsewhere in Greater London, including Thamesmead, Streatham and Ruislip. We do not take on planning or building work for third parties as a consultancy.
Read more: Architecture and Masterplanning · Guide: Planning permission explained for landowners