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New homes and housing · Essex

Council and Housing Partnerships in Harlow

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

Land to Homes is open to partnerships with councils, housing associations and other registered providers in Harlow 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.

New three-storey low-rise apartment block with balconies and a communal gardenHarlow · CM17

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

New homes around Harlow

Harlow (CM17) is one of the Essex towns we cover, about 31 miles north-west of Southend-on-Sea. The nearest other places we cover are Hoddesdon (5 miles), Bishops Stortford (7 miles) and Waltham Abbey (8 miles). Harlow is part of England’s East of England region.

When you register for Harlow, you can choose accessible and adaptable homes, one- and two-bedroom apartments or two- and three-bedroom family homes. Planning in Harlow follows England’s rules: the National Planning Policy Framework sets national policy and the council’s Local Plan sets local policy.

Register for Harlow and we will contact you if we bring homes forward nearby.

Why work with Land to Homes in Harlow

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.

Council land disposals

We respond to council land disposals and development opportunities where the terms suit, following the process the council sets.

Package deals

We sell completed affordable homes on a site we control to a registered provider, with the mix, design and price agreed before construction starts.

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.

Planning in Harlow: the English rules

Councils and housing associations around Harlow 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 Harlow
Local planning documentLocal Plan
Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer)Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
Land registrationHM Land Registry
Developer contributionsSection 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it

Council and Housing Partnerships in Harlow: questions

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 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.

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.

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.

Are there new homes available in Harlow now?

Not yet. Land to Homes has no homes available in Harlow at the moment. You can register your interest for Harlow, and we will contact you if we bring homes forward there or nearby.

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

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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