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New homes and housing · Moray

Council and Housing Partnerships in Forres

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

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

Calm new-build townhouse living room with a grey sofa and a tree-lined street viewForres · IV36

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 Forres

About 11 miles west of Elgin, Forres is part of our Moray coverage, centred on postcode district IV36. Close by, our coverage also takes in Elgin, Inverness and Buckie.

When you register for Forres, you can choose homes for shared ownership, homes for affordable rent or homes for first-time buyers. Planning in Forres follows Scotland’s rules: National Planning Framework 4 sets national policy and the council’s Local Development Plan sets local policy.

Registering for Forres is free and you can ask us to remove your details at any time.

Our approach in Forres

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 obligation homes

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

Clear agreements

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

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.

Planning and land rules in Forres

For councils and housing associations planning homes in Forres, 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.

Key rules in Forres
Local planning documentLocal Development Plan (LDP)
Who decides applicationsThe council as planning authority (or a national park authority in its area)
In-principle consentPlanning permission in principle (PPP), followed by approval of matters specified in conditions
Land registrationRegisters of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland)

Council and Housing Partnerships in Forres: questions

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.

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.

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 Forres now?

Not yet. Land to Homes has no homes available in Forres at the moment. You can register your interest for Forres, 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

Council and Housing Partnerships elsewhere in Moray

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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