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 Melton Mowbray?
In Melton Mowbray, 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. We start from a UK-wide guide and adjust it for the East Midlands, where labour and materials are typically about 5% below average. 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:
- Ground conditions
- Site access and phasing
- Planning conditions and obligations
- Specification
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 Melton Mowbray?
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.
Our first visit includes a check of your planning history, so you know the route before paying for drawings.
What we handle
On a typical small housing development we handle:
- Handover packs for each home
- Groundworks, roads and drainage
- External works and landscaping
- Utility connections
- 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. Before that, surveys, drawings and approvals usually take 6 to 12 months, longer if the council asks for changes.
Building in Melton Mowbray
The East Midlands has a mix of red-brick terraces, inter-war semis and newer estates, so rear extensions and garage conversions are common projects.
We work across Melton Mowbray and neighbouring areas such as Oakham, Loughborough and Leicester. Postcodes we cover in Melton Mowbray include LE13.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Design and pricing
Design options, then a fixed quote based on the chosen drawings and 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 Melton Mowbray
How much does a small housing development cost in Melton Mowbray?
In Melton Mowbray, 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.
Can you help with planning?
Yes. We coordinate the architect or designer and, where needed, a planning consultant.
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 long does a small development take?
Typically 12 to 24 months on site, depending on size and phasing.
Do you build small housing developments in Melton Mowbray?
Yes. We build small housing developments across Melton Mowbray, including postcodes LE13. Every project starts with a free home visit.
