Architecture and Masterplanning in Burgess Hill
Architecture and masterplanning in Burgess Hill 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.
Burgess Hill · RH15Free site appraisal
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- 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
Sites we take on near Burgess Hill
We cover Burgess Hill as part of West Sussex. It is about 11 miles south of Crawley, around postcode district RH15. Haywards Heath is the closest neighbouring place we cover, at about 3 miles, followed by Portslade and Hove. Burgess Hill is in the South East region of England.
Typical work around Burgess Hill: sites where the layout needs to change, fields that need a masterplan before an application and sites that need a fresh planning strategy. As Burgess Hill is in England, applications are judged against the National Planning Policy Framework, and the buyer of land pays Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Send us the site address near Burgess Hill and we will tell you what we think the planning route is.
Why work with Land to Homes in Burgess Hill
Design codes followed
Where a council has adopted a design code or design guide, we design to it and explain in the design statement how the scheme responds.
House types that suit the place
Homes designed to reflect local materials, scale and character, with layouts people want to live in, rather than a standard pattern book dropped onto the site.
Masterplans for larger sites
Streets, open space, landscaping, play areas and phasing set out in one coherent plan, with room for homes for sale, rent and affordable tenures.
Capacity studies
We test several layouts to show what a site could realistically take, allowing for access, open space, drainage and the separation distances councils expect between homes.
The English system, as it applies in Burgess Hill
Selling development land in Burgess Hill usually starts with heads of terms, a short written summary of price, conditions and fees, before solicitors draft the contract. In England the sale becomes binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, with the title then registered at HM Land Registry. The buyer normally pays Stamp Duty Land Tax. On option and promotion agreements with Land to Homes, your reasonable legal fees are covered, with the amount agreed in the heads of terms.
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.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| Who decides applications | The local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority) |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Architecture and Masterplanning in Burgess Hill: questions
How do you make new homes fit in with existing streets?
We study the scale, materials, building lines and spaces of the surrounding area and design homes and streets that respond to them. On a village edge that might mean lower density and more landscaping; in a town, homes that follow the existing street pattern. Early talks with planning officers and neighbours help shape the design.
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.
What is a masterplan?
A masterplan is a drawing and supporting document that shows how a larger site will be laid out: where the homes, roads, footpaths, open space and drainage go, and how the site will be built in phases. It gives the council and the community a clear picture of the scheme before detailed designs are prepared for each phase.
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.
Can you manage a site in Burgess Hill from planning to build?
On land we take forward ourselves in Burgess Hill and elsewhere in West Sussex, including Horsham, Bognor Regis and Chichester, we manage planning, design and construction. Tell us about the site and we will explain how we would approach it.
Read more: Architecture and Masterplanning · Guide: Planning permission explained for landowners