Council and Housing Partnerships in Helensburgh
Land to Homes is open to partnerships with councils, housing associations and other registered providers in Helensburgh and across the UK, to add to the supply of affordable and social homes. We bring land, planning and construction; our partners bring local knowledge, housing management and, where available, public grant. The aim is a scheme that meets local need and the landlord's standards.
Helensburgh · G84Talk to us about a partnership
Tell us about your organisation and the homes you need.
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
New homes 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).
When you register for Helensburgh, you can choose homes for shared ownership, accessible and adaptable homes or two- and three-bedroom family homes. Because Helensburgh is in Scotland, land titles are registered with Registers of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland) and transfers attract Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT).
Register for Helensburgh and we will contact you if we bring homes forward nearby.
Our approach in Helensburgh
Funding conditions in mind
We plan schemes around the conditions of the relevant funding programme, although grant is applied for and held by the council or provider.
Design and build
We design and build homes on land owned by a council or provider, to its specification and within its procurement rules.
Land-led schemes
We bring forward land for a scheme the provider will own, which can be fully affordable where planning policy and funding allow.
Council land disposals
We respond to council land disposals and development opportunities where the terms suit, following the process the council sets.
The Scottish system, as it applies in Helensburgh
For councils and housing associations planning homes in Helensburgh, Scottish delivery centres on the council's Strategic Housing Investment Plan, grant from the Affordable Housing Supply Programme and, on private sites, affordable housing secured through Section 75 agreements under NPF4 and the Local Development Plan. Land to Homes can bring forward land with or without planning, or build homes for transfer to a registered social landlord.
In Scotland, councils and registered social landlords regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator deliver affordable homes through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, prioritised in each council's Strategic Housing Investment Plan. Developer contributions are secured through Section 75 agreements, and package deals for social and mid-market rent homes are one established route.
| Who decides applications | The council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area) |
|---|---|
| In-principle consent | Planning permission in principle (PPP), followed by approval of matters specified in conditions |
| How a sale becomes binding | Land sales are concluded through missives, formal letters exchanged between solicitors that become a binding contract once concluded, followed by settlement on the date of entry and registration in the Land Register of Scotland. |
| Developer contributions | Section 75 planning obligations, with Section 69 agreements sometimes used for simple one-off payments |
Common questions in Helensburgh
What is a land-led scheme?
A land-led scheme is one where land is secured and a scheme is planned around a provider's needs, rather than the provider buying a share of homes within a market-led development. It can allow a higher proportion of affordable homes, or a fully affordable scheme, where planning policy and funding support it.
How do council land disposals work?
When a council sells or leases land for housing, it usually has legal duties around obtaining value and must follow its own disposal and procurement rules. Disposals may be marketed openly, offered through a development partner process or tendered. Land to Homes responds to opportunities where the terms suit, following the process the council sets.
Who applies for grant funding for affordable homes?
Usually the housing association or council, because public grant for affordable housing is normally paid to them under programmes run by Homes England, the Greater London Authority, the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government or, in Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive's Social Housing Development Programme. We plan schemes with the relevant funding conditions in mind.
Can you help a community land trust or community-led group?
Potentially, yes. Community-led schemes often need land, planning and construction support, which is what we provide. The right structure depends on the group, the land and any funding available. We can discuss land options, a design and build arrangement or homes delivered within a wider scheme, with each party taking its own legal advice.
Can I register for new homes in Helensburgh?
Yes. Registering for Helensburgh is free and does not commit you to anything. There are no homes available yet; if we bring homes forward in or near Helensburgh, we will contact you.
Read more: Council and Housing Association Partnerships · Guide: How affordable and social homes are delivered across the UK