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 Durham?
In Durham, a small housing development typically costs £1,600–£2,450 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 £640,000–£980,000. That range is adjusted for the North East, where domestic building work typically costs around 10% below the national average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (280 m²) | £448,000–£686,000 |
| Typical project (400 m²) | £640,000–£980,000 |
| Larger project (560 m²) | £896,000–£1,372,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,600–£2,450 |
The main things that change the cost:
- Planning conditions and obligations
- Ground conditions
- Specification
- Roads, sewers and adoption agreements
For a figure based on your own measurements, try the guide price tool, then book a free home visit for a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a small housing development in Durham?
Here is how the rules work for a small housing development in 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
What we take care of:
- Design development and discharge of conditions
- Utility connections
- Handover packs for each home
- House construction to building regulations
- Pre-construction cost plan
- External works and landscaping
How long does it take?
Allow 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 Durham
The North East has many terraced streets and post-war semis, where rear extensions and loft conversions are popular ways to gain space.
If your home is in Durham or close by in Chester-le-Street, Houghton-Le-Spring and Stanley, a free home visit is the first step.
How it works
- 01
Free visit
We look at the property, talk through what you want and measure up. There is no charge and no obligation.
- 02
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 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 Durham
How long does a small housing development take in Durham?
Typically 12 to 24 months depending on scheme size. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 months.
What about biodiversity net gain?
In England, biodiversity net gain rules apply to many developments, with exemptions for some small sites. We work with your ecologist to confirm what applies to your scheme.
Can you help with planning?
Yes. We coordinate the architect or designer and, where needed, a planning consultant.
How much does a small housing development cost in Durham?
In Durham, a small housing development typically costs £1,600–£2,450 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 £640,000–£980,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Do you work with landowners?
Yes. If you own land, with or without planning permission, we can discuss building on it with you.