Land and new homes in Ashton-in-Makerfield
In Ashton-in-Makerfield, Land to Homes works with landowners who want to sell, option or promote land for housing, and with councils and housing associations on affordable homes. We manage planning and building on the sites we take forward, and people looking for a home can register their interest.
Ashton-in-Makerfield · WN4Free 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
Where Ashton-in-Makerfield fits
Ashton-in-Makerfield sits about 17 miles west of Manchester in Greater Manchester, in the WN4 postcode district. Nearby, we also cover Golborne, Newton-le-Willows and St Helens, all within 4 miles. Ashton-in-Makerfield is in the North West region of England.
Around Ashton-in-Makerfield we look at land that already has planning permission, former garage blocks and yards and redundant agricultural buildings. In England, where Ashton-in-Makerfield sits, planning decisions are made by the local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority).
A postcode and a rough boundary are enough for us to start a free appraisal of land near Ashton-in-Makerfield.
Services in Ashton-in-Makerfield
For landowners
- Sell Land for Development in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Sell Land with Planning Permission in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Sell Land Without Planning in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Land Option Agreements in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Land Promotion Agreements in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Landowner Joint Ventures in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Sell Garden Land and Backland in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Sell Farmland and Paddocks in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Sell Brownfield Land in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Sell an Infill Plot in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Land Assembly and Access in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Free Site Appraisal in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Sell a Building for Conversion in Ashton-in-Makerfield
Planning, design and build
- Planning Permission and Strategy in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Architecture and Masterplanning in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- New Home Construction in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Serviced Plots for Self-Build in Ashton-in-Makerfield
New homes and housing
- New-Build Homes for Sale in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- New Homes to Rent in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Affordable Housing in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Social Housing in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Council and Housing Partnerships in Ashton-in-Makerfield
Funders and partners
- Funding and Investment Partners in Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Build to Rent Partnerships in Ashton-in-Makerfield
How the rules work in Ashton-in-Makerfield
Whether a field or large garden could take homes depends mostly on the council's Local Plan and national policy. Under the National Planning Policy Framework, plans define settlement boundaries, and land just outside Ashton-in-Makerfield may still come forward if it is allocated, previously developed or meets evidenced unmet housing need. Smaller housing schemes can also use Permission in Principle, an England-only route that settles location, use and amount first. Our free appraisal explains which route suits your land.
Councils and housing associations around Ashton-in-Makerfield 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.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| 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 |
Common questions in Ashton-in-Makerfield
What is biodiversity net gain?
Biodiversity net gain is a requirement in England for most new developments to leave natural habitat in a measurably better state than before, assessed using a statutory metric. It can be delivered on site, off site or, as a last resort, through statutory credits. It affects how much land a scheme needs. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own biodiversity policies.
What is an option agreement?
An option agreement gives a developer the right, but not the obligation, to buy land within an agreed period, usually once planning permission is granted. The landowner normally receives an option fee, and the purchase price is worked out under an agreed formula. On option agreements with Land to Homes, we pay your reasonable legal fees, agreed up front in the heads of terms.
Do you buy land directly?
Yes, on suitable sites. We can buy land directly, with or without planning permission and with no onward chain, subject to survey, title and contract. Whether a direct purchase suits you depends on the site and on whether you would rather have certainty now or wait for planning to change what the land is worth.
What are the New Homes Quality Code and New Homes Ombudsman?
The New Homes Quality Code is a code of practice for developers registered with the New Homes Quality Board, covering how homes are marketed, reserved, sold and handed over, and after-sales care. Buyers of homes from registered developers can usually take unresolved complaints to the New Homes Ombudsman Service. The framework currently covers England, Scotland and Wales.
Do you buy land in Ashton-in-Makerfield?
Yes. Land to Homes looks at land in Ashton-in-Makerfield and elsewhere in Greater Manchester, including Salford, Rochdale and Westhoughton. Every enquiry starts with a free site appraisal, and on option and promotion agreements we pay your reasonable legal fees.