Funding and Investment Partners in County Durham
If you lend to or invest in residential development and are interested in sites in County Durham, Land to Homes is open to a conversation. We discuss funding with development lenders, institutional partners and landowners considering a joint venture. Any arrangement is agreed privately, with each party taking its own legal, tax and financial advice. This page is not an offer.
County DurhamStart a conversation
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Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- Private conversationsEvery arrangement documented
- Land to homesLand, planning and construction
- Housing partnersCouncils and housing associations
- No public offerNothing here is an offer to invest
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Partnerships around County Durham
Our County Durham coverage takes in 12 towns and cities, centred on Darlington and including Seaham, Bishop Auckland and Stanley. Neighbouring areas we also cover include Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and North Yorkshire.
Around County Durham, we can talk to partners about social rent homes, joint ventures with landowners and land-led schemes with a housing partner. Planning in County Durham follows England’s rules: the National Planning Policy Framework sets national policy and the council’s Local Plan sets local policy.
To discuss a scheme near County Durham, call us or send a short note about the opportunity.
Why work with Land to Homes in County Durham
Landowner co-investment
A landowner can keep an interest in their land through a joint venture rather than selling outright, with the terms set out in a written agreement.
Equity partners
Institutional partners can discuss forward funding or forward purchase of specific schemes, agreed privately and documented by each party's own advisers.
Development lenders
We discuss senior and mezzanine development finance with lenders on a site-by-site basis, with security and terms agreed through each party's solicitors.
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.
Planning and land rules in County Durham
Land with no planning permission can still be sold. Around County Durham, the usual routes in England are a direct sale, an option agreement or a promotion agreement, where the planning work is funded for you and the land is sold once consent is granted. Outline planning permission settles the principle, with reserved matters approved later. Section 106 obligations, the Community Infrastructure Levy where charged and biodiversity net gain all affect what a site is worth, so independent advice matters.
In England, land purchases usually attract Stamp Duty Land Tax, and lenders take a legal charge registered at HM Land Registry. Scheme appraisals must allow for Section 106 obligations, the Community Infrastructure Levy where charged, and biodiversity net gain. Homes England is the government's housing and regeneration agency and runs public funding programmes for housing.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Plan |
| Who decides applications | The local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority) |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| 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 |
Funding and Investment Partners in County Durham: questions
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.
What types of funding do residential developments use?
Typically a mix of senior development debt, sometimes mezzanine debt, and equity from the developer and its partners. Build to rent and affordable homes may use forward funding or forward purchase by an institution or registered provider. Landowners can also contribute land through a joint venture. The right structure depends on the scheme, and each party takes independent advice.
Can I invest in Land to Homes?
Nothing on this site is an offer or invitation to invest, and we do not take investment, loans or deposits from members of the public. We discuss funding privately with development lenders and institutional partners on specific schemes. If you are a professional party with an interest in residential development, you can contact us to start a conversation.
Is anything on this site regulated investment advice?
No. Land to Homes does not give investment, financial, tax or legal advice, and nothing on this site is an offer, invitation or recommendation to invest. Funding discussions take place privately with lenders and professional parties, who rely on their own advisers and due diligence. If you are unsure about any investment, speak to an independent regulated adviser.
Do you work with partners on schemes in County Durham?
Yes. We discuss schemes across County Durham, including Stockton-on-Tees, Newton Aycliffe and Durham privately with professional partners. Nothing on this website is an offer or invitation to invest.
Read more: Funding and Investment Partners · Guide: Biodiversity net gain for landowners: what it means for your land