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Planning, design and build · Greater London

New Home Construction in Highbury

How are new homes built on land in Highbury?

Land to Homes is part of the S&K Group, a construction and property group, so building homes in Highbury is part of how we plan land from the start. We design schemes that can be built economically, manage the build with contractors and suppliers, and deliver homes for sale, for rent and for councils and housing associations.

Architect’s desk with a printed residential masterplan, scale ruler and pencilHighbury · N5

Free site appraisal

Tell us about your land and we will call you back. No cost, no obligation.

Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.

  • 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

Our work around Highbury

In Greater London, Highbury lies about 3 miles north of London; its central postcode district is N5. The nearest other places we cover are Islington (1 mile), Holloway (1 mile) and Stamford Hill (2 miles). Highbury is part of England’s London region.

Near Highbury, we look at plots where access or drainage is the sticking point, sites that need a fresh planning strategy and land with an expired or ageing consent. Because Highbury 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 Highbury and we will explain how we would take it forward.

How we work in Highbury

From land to keys

The people who buy or promote the land also plan the build, so the scheme that wins planning is one that can be delivered on site.

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.

Groundworks and infrastructure

Roads, sewers, drainage and services are planned and built to the standards needed for adoption by the highway authority and water company where that applies.

Mixed tenures on one site

Homes for sale, homes for rent and affordable homes can be built together, designed so that the tenures are hard to tell apart from the street.

The English system, as it applies in Highbury

If your land near Highbury 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.

Key rules in Highbury
In-principle consentOutline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later
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

Your questions answered for Highbury

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.

Do new homes have to be energy efficient?

Yes. Each nation's building regulations or building standards set energy efficiency requirements for new homes, and these have been tightened over recent years. In Scotland, new homes generally need zero direct emissions heating, such as heat pumps. England and Wales are moving to higher standards through updates to their own regulations.

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.

Do you take on planning and building work in Highbury?

Yes, on sites we buy, option, promote or develop in partnership in Highbury and elsewhere in Greater London, including Thamesmead, Peckham and Northolt. 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

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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