What is a small housing development?

A small housing development is a scheme of a few new homes, typically two to nine, on a single site. We work with landowners, small developers and investors to build schemes that already have planning permission, or help take a site through planning first.
How much does a small housing development cost in Ashton in Makerfield?
In Ashton in Makerfield, a small housing development typically costs £1,700–£2,550 per m² of floor area (build cost), including VAT at 0% (zero-rated for qualifying new dwellings). For a typical 400 m² project that is roughly £680,000–£1,020,000. The guide for Ashton in Makerfield reflects typical costs in the North West, roughly 6% below the UK-wide figure. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (280 m²) | £476,000–£714,000 |
| Typical project (400 m²) | £680,000–£1,020,000 |
| Larger project (560 m²) | £952,000–£1,428,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,700–£2,550 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Site access and phasing
- Specification
- Roads, sewers and adoption agreements
- Planning conditions and obligations
Your exact price depends on the survey and drawings. The guide price tool gives a quick range in the meantime.
Do you need planning permission for a small housing development in Ashton in Makerfield?
Approvals for a small housing development in Ashton in Makerfield follow the rules for England. In England small schemes need full planning permission and may involve a section 106 agreement, the Community Infrastructure Levy, highways and drainage approvals, and biodiversity net gain where it applies.
Building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control service or a registered building control approver. The work is inspected at key stages, such as foundations, drainage and insulation, and a completion certificate is issued at the end.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
On a typical small housing development we handle:
- House construction to building regulations
- Utility connections
- Design development and discharge of conditions
- Warranty and building control inspections
- External works and landscaping
- Pre-construction cost plan
How long does it take?
Expect 12 to 24 months depending on scheme size. Design and approvals come first and typically take 6 to 12 months, depending on the approval route.
Building in Ashton in Makerfield
The North West has many brick terraces and inter-war semis, where kitchen extensions and dormer loft conversions add space without moving.
Projects in Ashton in Makerfield (WN4) are surveyed in person before we quote, so the price reflects your actual property.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Approvals
Planning or permitted development confirmation, building regulations and any party wall matters.
- 04
Build and sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about small housing developments in Ashton in Makerfield
Is VAT charged on new homes?
Construction of qualifying new dwellings is normally zero-rated for VAT.
How long does a small development take?
Typically 12 to 24 months on site, depending on size and phasing.
How much does a small housing development cost in Ashton in Makerfield?
In Ashton in Makerfield, a small housing development typically costs £1,700–£2,550 per m² of floor area (build cost), including VAT at 0% (zero-rated for qualifying new dwellings). A typical 400 m² project comes to roughly £680,000–£1,020,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Do you build small housing developments in Ashton in Makerfield?
Yes. We build small housing developments across Ashton in Makerfield, including postcodes WN4. Every project starts with a free home visit.
Who handles road adoption?
We build roads and sewers to adoptable standards where agreements are in place with the highway authority and water company.
