Funding and Investment Partners in Durham
If you lend to or invest in residential development and are interested in sites in 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.
Durham · DH1Start a conversation
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- 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
Schemes around Durham
About 17 miles north of Darlington, Durham is part of our County Durham coverage, centred on postcode district DH1. Close by, our coverage also takes in Chester-le-Street, Houghton-le-Spring and Stanley. Durham is part of England’s North East region.
Typical partnership structures for Durham: land-led schemes with a housing partner, mixed-tenure developments and Section 106 affordable homes. Planning in Durham follows England’s rules: the National Planning Policy Framework sets national policy and the council’s Local Plan sets local policy.
Tell us about the opportunity near Durham and the right person will call you back.
What you get in Durham
No money from the public
We do not take deposits, loans or investment from members of the public. Funding is discussed privately with lenders, institutions and landowners only.
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.
Advice from your own advisers
We do not give legal, tax or financial advice. Every party should take independent advice before entering into any agreement with us.
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 in Durham: the English rules
In England, affordable housing on market developments in Durham is normally secured through a Section 106 agreement, which sets the number, tenure and transfer of homes to a registered provider. Grant from Homes England can add further homes, and the 2026 to 2036 programme expects at least 60% of funded homes to be Social Rent. Land to Homes can supply land, design and build homes, or deliver completed homes for councils and housing associations.
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 |
|---|---|
| Who decides applications | The local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority) |
| Land registration | HM Land Registry |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Questions about Funding and Investment Partners in Durham
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.
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 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.
Do you work with partners on schemes in Durham?
Yes. We discuss schemes in Durham and elsewhere in County Durham, including Chester-le-Street, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees privately with professional partners. Nothing on this website is an offer or invitation to invest.
Read more: Funding and Investment Partners · Guide: Planning permission explained for landowners