Funding and Investment Partners in Helensburgh

Schemes around Helensburgh

Helensburgh (G84) is the hub of our Argyll & Bute coverage, with 3 further towns covered. The nearest other places we cover are Greenock (4 miles), Dunoon (8 miles) and Clydebank (15 miles).

Partnerships we can discuss around Helensburgh include land-led schemes with a housing partner, design and build for a registered provider and mixed-tenure developments. Planning in Helensburgh follows Scotland’s rules: National Planning Framework 4 sets national policy and the council’s Local Development Plan sets local policy.

If you are considering a partnership around Helensburgh, we are happy to talk privately.

Our approach in Helensburgh

Equity partners

Institutional partners can discuss forward funding or forward purchase of specific schemes, agreed privately and documented by each party's own advisers.

Not an offer to invest

Nothing on this site is an offer or invitation to invest, and nothing here is regulated investment advice, a recommendation or a solicitation.

Forward funding and purchase

For build to rent and affordable homes, we discuss forward funding and forward purchase structures with institutional and registered provider partners.

Part of the S&K Group

Land to Homes is part of the S&K Group, a Birmingham-based construction and property group whose businesses include glazing, building supplies and property improvement.

Planning in Helensburgh: the Scottish rules

If you own land on the edge of Helensburgh, its prospects in Scotland depend largely on the Local Development Plan, which allocates sites for housing, and on NPF4 policies such as those on local living, infrastructure and quality homes. An option or promotion agreement lets a partner fund the planning case while you keep ownership until a sale. With Land to Homes, your reasonable legal fees on these agreements are covered, with the amount agreed in the heads of terms.

In Scotland, land transactions attract Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, and lenders take a standard security registered with Registers of Scotland rather than a legal charge. Contracts are concluded through missives, and planning obligations are secured by Section 75 agreements. Scottish property law differs from English law, so partners need Scottish legal advice.

Key rules in Helensburgh
National planning policy	National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which forms part of the statutory development plan
Local planning document	Local Development Plan (LDP)
In-principle consent	Planning permission in principle (PPP), followed by approval of matters specified in conditions
Developer contributions	Section 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments

Common questions in Helensburgh

How is forward purchase different from forward funding?

With forward funding, the investor pays for the land and construction as the scheme is built. With forward purchase, the investor commits to buy the completed homes, but the developer arranges construction finance in the meantime. The choice affects risk, cost and timing for both parties, so each takes its own advice before agreeing terms.

Do public bodies fund housing development?

Public bodies support housing delivery in each nation, for example Homes England, the government's housing and regeneration agency in England, and the Development Bank of Wales, which offers property development lending. Grant for affordable housing usually goes to councils and registered providers rather than developers. We describe these bodies for context; each has its own criteria.

How can a landowner co-invest in a development?

Instead of selling outright, a landowner can put land into a joint venture with a developer, agreeing how costs, decisions and proceeds are shared. This can suit landowners who want a longer-term involvement. It carries more risk than a sale, so independent legal, tax and financial advice is essential before agreeing any terms.

What is forward funding?

Forward funding is where an investor, often an institution, buys a site and funds the construction of homes on it, taking ownership of the completed scheme. The developer builds the homes under a development agreement. It is used in build to rent and some affordable housing schemes. The legal and tax structure needs specialist advice for each party.

Do you work with partners on schemes in Helensburgh?

Yes. We discuss schemes in Helensburgh and elsewhere in Argyll & Bute, including Dunoon, Campbeltown and Oban privately with professional partners. Nothing on this website is an offer or invitation to invest.