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New homes and housing · East Sussex

Council and Housing Partnerships in Eastbourne

How can councils and housing associations partner with us in Eastbourne?

Council and housing association partnerships in Eastbourne are the arrangements through which a developer delivers new affordable homes for public and social landlords. Land to Homes offers package deals, land-led schemes, affordable homes secured through planning and design and build contracts for registered providers, and can bid for council land disposals where the terms suit. Each route is agreed in writing before work starts.

Three professionals reviewing housing scheme plans around an office tableEastbourne · BN21

Talk 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

Homes we plan around Eastbourne

Eastbourne (BN21) is one of the East Sussex towns we cover, about 19 miles east of Brighton. The nearest other places we cover are Hailsham (7 miles), Seaford (8 miles) and Bexhill-on-Sea (10 miles). Within England, Eastbourne falls in the South East region.

When you register for Eastbourne, you can choose homes for shared ownership, larger family homes or homes for first-time buyers. As Eastbourne is in England, applications are judged against the National Planning Policy Framework, and the buyer of land pays Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

Tell us what you need in Eastbourne and we will be in touch if homes are released nearby.

Our approach in Eastbourne

Planning obligation homes

The affordable homes required by a Section 106, Section 75 or Section 76 agreement, designed with a provider and transferred on completion.

Standards agreed up front

Provider design standards, space standards and energy targets are agreed at the start, so the homes are ready to transfer on completion.

Clear agreements

Every partnership is set out in a written agreement covering the programme, specification, payment stages and handover.

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.

Planning in Eastbourne: the English rules

Councils and housing associations around Eastbourne 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.

In England, registered providers, including housing associations and for-profit providers, are regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing. Affordable homes are usually secured through Section 106 agreements, and grant is channelled through Homes England, or the Greater London Authority in London. Councils follow procurement rules and their legal duties on value when disposing of land or appointing partners.

Key rules in Eastbourne
National planning policyNational Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance
Local planning documentLocal Plan
In-principle consentOutline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later
How a sale becomes bindingA land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry.

Common questions in Eastbourne

What is a package deal for affordable housing?

A package deal is where a developer sells completed affordable homes on a site it controls to a housing association or other registered provider. The mix, design, specification and price are agreed before the homes are built, and the provider takes ownership on completion. Package deals are often how affordable homes required by a planning permission are delivered.

Can you build on land a council or housing association already owns?

Yes. Under a design and build arrangement, we design and construct homes on land the council or provider owns, to its specification and standards. Contracts follow the client's procurement rules, which may mean a framework, a tender or another compliant route. We discuss the approach early so the scheme fits the client's governance.

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.

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.

Can I register for new homes in Eastbourne?

Yes. Registering for Eastbourne is free and does not commit you to anything. There are no homes available yet; if we bring homes forward in or near Eastbourne, we will contact you.

Read more: Council and Housing Association Partnerships · Guide: How affordable and social homes are delivered across the UK

Council and Housing Partnerships elsewhere in East Sussex

Own land that could take new homes?

Start with a free, no-obligation site appraisal. On option and promotion agreements we fund the planning work and pay your reasonable legal fees.

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