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 Gloucestershire?
In Gloucestershire, a small housing development typically costs £1,850–£2,750 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 £740,000–£1,100,000. Prices in the South West sit near the national average for this kind of work, and the range for Gloucestershire reflects that. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (280 m²) | £518,000–£770,000 |
| Typical project (400 m²) | £740,000–£1,100,000 |
| Larger project (560 m²) | £1,036,000–£1,540,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,850–£2,750 |
The main things that change the cost:
- Planning conditions and obligations
- Site access and phasing
- Number and size of homes
- Roads, sewers and adoption agreements
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 Gloucestershire?
Before anything is built in Gloucestershire, we confirm which approvals apply 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.
Our first visit includes a check of your planning history, so you know the route before paying for drawings.
What we handle
What we take care of:
- Handover packs for each home
- Pre-construction cost plan
- External works and landscaping
- Utility connections
- Warranty and building control inspections
- Design development and discharge of conditions
How long does it take?
Allow 12 to 24 months depending on scheme size. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 6 to 12 months.
Building in Gloucestershire
In parts of the South West, protected landscapes and conservation areas shape what can be built, so materials and roof forms are chosen carefully.
Towns we cover in Gloucestershire include Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Kingswood, Mangotsfield and Yate.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 02
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 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 Gloucestershire
Can you help with planning?
Yes. We coordinate the architect or designer and, where needed, a planning consultant.
Who approves a small housing development in Gloucestershire?
Planning matters in Gloucestershire go to the council covering your address, and the work needs building control approval. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
Do you work with landowners?
Yes. If you own land, with or without planning permission, we can discuss building on it with you.
Who handles road adoption?
We build roads and sewers to adoptable standards where agreements are in place with the highway authority and water company.
How much does a small housing development cost in Gloucestershire?
In Gloucestershire, a small housing development typically costs £1,850–£2,750 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 £740,000–£1,100,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
