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 Kensington?
In Kensington, a small housing development typically costs £2,350–£3,500 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 £940,000–£1,400,000. We start from a UK-wide guide and adjust it for London, where labour and materials are typically about 30% above average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (280 m²) | £658,000–£980,000 |
| Typical project (400 m²) | £940,000–£1,400,000 |
| Larger project (560 m²) | £1,316,000–£1,960,000 |
| Rate per m² | £2,350–£3,500 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Specification
- Roads, sewers and adoption agreements
- Site access and phasing
- 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 Kensington?
Approvals for a small housing development in Kensington 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.
If the answer is not clear-cut, we can apply for formal confirmation before you commit to the build.
What we handle
The work we manage on a small housing development:
- Utility connections
- External works and landscaping
- Warranty and building control inspections
- Handover packs for each home
- Pre-construction cost plan
- Design development and discharge of conditions
How long does it take?
Build time is typically 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 Kensington
Many London boroughs have conservation areas and detailed design guides, so early design advice saves time at the planning stage.
Kensington sits in Greater London, about 3 miles west of central London. We cover the whole of Kensington, including postcodes W8.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 02
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about small housing developments in Kensington
How long does a small housing development take in Kensington?
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.
How much does a small housing development cost in Kensington?
In Kensington, a small housing development typically costs £2,350–£3,500 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 £940,000–£1,400,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Is VAT charged on new homes?
Construction of qualifying new dwellings is normally zero-rated for VAT.
Can you help with planning?
Yes. We coordinate the architect or designer and, where needed, a planning consultant.