Develop and invest
Creating sustainable places that people love to live and work in.
We invest in creating the homes and workplaces of the future through residential and commercial land promotion and residential development. We acknowledge the UK’s growing housing crisis and are passionate about our role in boosting housing supply across the country and helping vibrant businesses to grow.
New homes to be delivered on our residential sites
Success-rate in planning applications since 2005.

A collaborative approach
Collaborative working is in our DNA. We strongly believe that bringing stakeholders together to share ambitions and ideas is the best way to shape future communities and truly create sustainable places for today and tomorrow.
We are constantly seeking sites and opportunities for future development across both public and private sectors and aim to secure the best possible outcomes for the communities and landowners we work with.
Getting the green light for new development is challenging and all development must navigate the UK’s complex planning system. This is why we are proud of our 98% success rate for the schemes we have promoted through planning applications since 2005.
OUR PROPOSITION
Find out more

Land Promotion
We partner with our landowners and bring sustainable placemaking and planning expertise to unlock valuable commercial and residential development.


Residential Partnerships
We are meeting housing needs through partnerships and expertise for both the public and private sector.


House Builder Joint Ventures
We build houses that not only sell, but also inspire pride in homeowners. Our aim is to achieve exceptional customer satisfaction, deliver quality homes and a positive resident experience.


Biodiversity net gain (BNG) solutions for landowners and developers
Discover how Wates Wildscape is reimagining landscapes with nature-based solutions and high-quality habitat ecosystems.

Projects

Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke
Achieving planning consent and the subsequent land sale of Hounsome Fields in Basingstoke was a standout highlight for us in 2017.
Residential
Walberton, West Sussex
Working closely with Arun District and Walberton Parish Councils Wates Developments created an attractive development of 175 new homes which was unanimously consented by the Arun Planning Committee at a local level only 12 months following entering into a Land Promotion Agreement with a local landowner.
Residential
Buckingham – planning consent and 58 acres of land sold
In July 2022, we secured outline planning consent for a sustainable development of 420 family homes.
Residential
Cardiff Council Residential Partnership
Cardiff Living is an exciting development partnership between Wates Residential and the City of Cardiff Council.
Residential
LB of Havering Joint Venture Regeneration
A 12 year joint venture partnership to breathe new life into the community of Havering.
ResidentialCAREERS IN DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT
Want to be part of our team?

Design Manager
Location: Guildford
Job Type: Design
Application Deadline: 28-08-2025
Wates are looking for a Design Manager to join our Residential team in our Southern region and to support the design function for our Development site in Guildford, Surrey.If you are passionate about design, working within a team environment and with proven technical skills looking for an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh new ideas and elevate yourself within the industry then join us and help to create tomorrow together.This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team.ABOUT THE ROLEOur Design Managers are a valuable part of our business, driving quality outcomes, enhancing buildability and fostering innovation. Design Managers work collaboratively with our customers and industry specialists to ensure that the design develops in accordance with the brief with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice.As our Design Manager, you will be responsible for: Work with all relevant parties, to produce and manage a realistic design programme and information required schedule to facilitate design, procurement and construction activities. Collaborating with a Senior Design Manager and wider technical team to ensure smooth coordination across all disciplines. Support the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives and innovation. Ensure the design has been reviewed and verified and that it is coordinated, compliant and complete, whilst mitigating Health and Safety risks, design and buildability issues prior to construction. Working with internal and external stakeholders, consultants, and subcontractors to drive quality outcomes and innovative solutions at each stage of the design and delivery process.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… One of the best learning and development programmes which is customizable to support your career progression goals. (c.7000 training sessions delivered year to date across the WATES Group) Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity.To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Assistant Land Manager
Location: Leatherhead
Job Type: Land Management / Acquisition
Application Deadline: 20-08-2025
Wates Group have an opportunity for an Assistant Land Manager to join our Wates Development team in Leatherhead.The Wates Developments land team identify land suitable for residential & mixed-use development and promote sites through the planning system with a view to securing a valuable planning consent. Our business holds a large and growing portfolio of potential residential development land and our team focuses on securing valuable planning consents in sustainable locations, throughout Southern England, South West and the Midlands.Reporting into the Land Director, you will help identify, investigate, appraise and secure interests in land navigating the legal, technical and financial process.ABOUT THE ROLEAs an Assistant Land Manager, you will: Establish and maintain good working relationships with land agents and landowners. Prepare initial planning appraisals, undertake due diligence enquiries and prepare viability assessments on new site opportunities. Assist the Land Team with preparing offers and bids. Negotiate and secure Option, Promotion or Hybrid agreements on competitive terms. Represent Wates Developments in a professional capacity to high standards at all times. Demonstrate a clear strategy for new opportunities collaborating with other members of the land team. Manage information flow between relevant parties internally and externally. Support the learning and development of other members of the land team where relevant.To be successful in the role you will have a good knowledge of land acquisition, the planning system, development and planning appraisals, financial viability assessments as well as the legal aspects of promotion, option and hybrid agreements as well as other aspects of land law relating to land rights.Alongside this you will be an active networker with effective communication skills and the ability to identify the right opportunities which will provide the necessary return on investment.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Car Allowance/Company Car Flexible working Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… One of the best learning and development programmes which is customizable to support your career progression goals. (c.7000 training sessions delivered year to date across the Wates Group) Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity.To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/
Acquisitions and Disposals Manager
Location: Leatherhead
Job Type: Land Management / Acquisition
Application Deadline: 12-08-2025
Wates Group currently have an exciting opportunity for an Acquisition & Disposal Manager to join our Wates Developments team in Surrey, to support, manage and secure the successful exits of Wates Developments land and property interests.Reporting into our Acquisitions & Disposals Director the role of Acquisitions & Disposals Manager will help establish optimised exit solutions for Wates Developments interest, typically through Option/Promotion Agreements and freehold land sales to the housebuilding market directly or via housebuilder joint ventures.As our Acquisition & Disposal Manager you will: Assist and manage on the production of exit strategies for allocated Wates Developments land interests to maximise returns on capital and profit, in accordance with the timescales set out within the budget and our wider Purpose. Appraise site viabilities and identify areas that require additional work to secure a successful exit in conjunction with the Acquisitions & Disposals Director. Work collaboratively with the wider Wates Development team to ensure relationships with landowners and agents are maintained leading up to and during the exit process. Help manage, record and keep Wates Developments ongoing legal interests in sites once a successful exit has occurredWe are looking for an experienced land and development professional with experience in; the UK planning system, exits/disposals, legal land contracts, financial viabilities, land transactions, the management of land and politics. This individual must understand how to act within parameters of our legal agreements and have detailed experience in land management and the valuation of residential land whilst maintaining budgets.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… One of the best learning and development programmes which is customizable to support your career progression goals. (c.7000 training sessions delivered year to date across the WATES Group) Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity.To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/
Get in touch
To get in touch with us, simply fill in the form below and we’ll get right back to you.