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Planning, design and build · England

New Home Construction in Greater Manchester

How are new homes built on land in Greater Manchester?

Land to Homes is part of the S&K Group, a construction and property group, so building homes in Greater Manchester 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.

Site manager in a safety helmet checking drawings on a housebuilding siteGreater Manchester

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

Planning and building around Greater Manchester

Our Greater Manchester coverage takes in 39 towns and cities, centred on Manchester and including Oldham, Cheadle Hulme and Ashton-under-Lyne. If your land is near a boundary, we also cover Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. Greater Manchester is close to our head office in Great Barr, Birmingham.

Typical work around Greater Manchester: land with an expired or ageing consent, sites that need a fresh planning strategy and plots where access or drainage is the sticking point. Because Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester and we will explain how we would take it forward.

Why work with Land to Homes in Greater Manchester

Warranty considered early

Most mortgage lenders expect a new home to carry a recognised structural warranty, so warranty provider requirements are considered from the design stage.

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.

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.

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.

Rules that apply in Greater Manchester

If your land near Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester
National planning policyNational Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance
Local planning documentLocal Plan
Who decides applicationsThe local planning authority, usually the district, borough, city or unitary council (or a national park authority)
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
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.
Developer contributionsSection 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it

Your questions answered for Greater Manchester

Can you build out a site that already has planning permission?

Yes, where the scheme suits us. We can buy a site with planning permission directly, subject to survey, title and contract, or discuss a joint venture where the landowner keeps an interest. We review the permission, its conditions and any legal agreement first, because they affect what can be built and when.

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.

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.

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.

Do you take on planning and building work in Greater Manchester?

Yes, on sites we buy, option, promote or develop in partnership across Greater Manchester, including Walkden, Altrincham and Prestwich. 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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