New Home Construction in Christchurch
New home construction in Christchurch is the stage where a consented scheme becomes real homes: site set-up, groundworks, roads and drainage, building the homes and handing them over. Land to Homes manages construction on the sites it brings forward, working with contractors and suppliers, and plans each scheme around homes that can be built well and then sold or let.
Christchurch · BH23Free site appraisal
Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.
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- Free site appraisalNo cost, no obligation
- Legal fees coveredReasonable fees, on options and promotion
- Nothing to pay upfrontOn promotion: we fund planning
- Direct purchaseSuitable sites, with or without planning
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Sites we take on near Christchurch
We cover Christchurch as part of Dorset. It is about 4 miles east of Bournemouth, around postcode district BH23. The nearest other places we cover are Bournemouth (4 miles), New Milton (5 miles) and Poole (9 miles). Within England, Christchurch falls in the South West region.
Typical work around Christchurch: in-principle consents that still need detailed approval, land with an expired or ageing consent and fields that need a masterplan before an application. Because Christchurch is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Tell us about the site near Christchurch and we will explain how we would take it forward.
Our approach in Christchurch
Energy-efficient homes
Homes are designed to meet current energy standards in each nation, which increasingly means low-carbon heating, high insulation and good airtightness.
Conditions cleared first
Pre-commencement conditions, legal agreements and utility connections are dealt with before work begins, so the build starts on a sound footing.
Built to the right regulations
Each home is built to the building regulations or building standards of its nation, with inspections at key stages of the build.
Respect for neighbours
Site traffic, working hours, noise and dust are managed under a construction management plan where the council requires one, and neighbours know who to contact.
How the rules work in Christchurch
If your land near Christchurch lies in the Green Belt, national policy still protects it, but England's planning framework now recognises grey belt: Green Belt land that is previously developed or does not strongly contribute to certain Green Belt purposes. Where there is evidenced unmet need and the location is sustainable, grey belt housing can be acceptable, with major schemes meeting the Golden Rules on affordable housing, infrastructure and green space. Planning is never guaranteed, so we check policy, access and constraints first.
In England, homes are built to the Building Regulations and signed off by council building control or a registered building control approver. Higher-risk residential buildings go through the Building Safety Regulator. Energy standards are being raised through the Future Homes Standard, and most developments must also deliver the biodiversity net gain agreed at planning.
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
|---|---|
| Land transaction tax (paid by the buyer) | Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) |
| How a sale becomes binding | A land sale becomes legally binding on exchange of contracts and finishes on completion, after which the buyer registers the title with HM Land Registry. |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
New Home Construction in Christchurch: questions
What is a new-build warranty?
A new-build warranty is an insurance-backed policy that covers certain defects in a newly built home for a set period after completion. In the early part of the cover the builder is usually responsible for putting defects right, with the warranty provider covering major structural problems later on. Most mortgage lenders require a recognised warranty or a professional consultant's certificate.
How are neighbours affected during construction?
Building work brings deliveries, noise and some disruption. Councils often require a construction management plan setting out working hours, delivery routes, parking and controls on dust and noise. We follow those requirements, keep the site tidy and secure, and make sure neighbours know who to contact if something goes wrong.
What are pre-commencement conditions?
They are planning conditions that must be satisfied before any work starts on site, such as approving drainage details, materials or a construction management plan. Starting work without discharging them can put the permission at risk. We deal with them before work begins, together with any planning obligations that apply to the site.
What are building regulations?
Building regulations set minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings, including structure, fire safety, energy efficiency, drainage and accessibility. England, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own regulations, approved through building control. Scotland has building standards, and work needs a building warrant from the council before it starts and a completion certificate at the end.
Do you take on planning and building work in Christchurch?
Yes, on sites we buy, option, promote or develop in partnership in Christchurch and elsewhere in Dorset, including Bournemouth, Weymouth and Poole. We do not take on planning or building work for third parties as a consultancy.
Read more: New Home Construction · Guide: Buying a new-build home: what to expect from reservation to keys