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Planning, design and build · Surrey

New Home Construction in Staines

How are new homes built on land in Staines?

New home construction in Staines 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.

White card architectural model of a small cul-de-sac in a planning studioStaines · TW18

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 Staines

Staines sits about 14 miles north of Guildford in Surrey, in the TW18 postcode district. Close by, our coverage also takes in Egham, Ashford (Surrey) and Feltham. Within England, Staines falls in the South East region.

Typical work around Staines: land where self-build plots could suit the market, plots where access or drainage is the sticking point and sites that need a fresh planning strategy. Planning in Staines follows England’s rules: the National Planning Policy Framework sets national policy and the council’s Local Plan sets local policy.

If you have a site near Staines that is stuck, a short call is the best place to start.

What you get in Staines

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.

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.

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.

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.

The English system, as it applies in Staines

In England, most planning applications for new homes in Staines are decided by the local planning authority, usually the council, using its Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework. Many landowners sell without planning, either outright or through an option or promotion agreement that funds the application first. Land to Homes offers a free site appraisal, pays your reasonable legal fees on option and promotion agreements, and can buy suitable sites directly, subject to survey, title and contract.

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 Staines
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

Common questions in Staines

What happens to the roads and sewers on a new development?

On many developments the new roads are built to the highway authority's standards and then adopted, so the council maintains them. Sewers can similarly be adopted by the water company. Where roads or open spaces are not adopted, they are usually looked after by a management company funded by residents, and buyers should check this before reserving.

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.

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 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 Staines?

Yes, on sites we buy, option, promote or develop in partnership in Staines and elsewhere in Surrey, including Horley, Redhill and Reigate. 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.

CallFree appraisal