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 Stafford?
In Stafford, a small housing development typically costs £1,750–£2,600 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 £700,000–£1,040,000. Prices in the West Midlands sit near the national average for this kind of work, and the range for Stafford reflects that. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (280 m²) | £490,000–£728,000 |
| Typical project (400 m²) | £700,000–£1,040,000 |
| Larger project (560 m²) | £980,000–£1,456,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,750–£2,600 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Planning conditions and obligations
- Ground conditions
- Site access and phasing
- Specification
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 Stafford?
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location 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
From survey to sign-off, the job normally involves:
- Groundworks, roads and drainage
- Warranty and building control inspections
- Handover packs for each home
- House construction to building regulations
- Design development and discharge of conditions
- External works and landscaping
How long does it take?
Build time is typically 12 to 24 months depending on scheme size. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 6 to 12 months.
Building in Stafford
Across the West Midlands, inter-war and post-war semis make up much of the housing, giving good scope for two-storey side extensions and hip-to-gable lofts.
We work across Stafford and neighbouring areas such as Rugeley, Cannock and Great Wyrley. Postcodes we cover in Stafford include ST16.
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 in place
We handle planning, building control and neighbour notices before work starts.
- 04
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about small housing developments in Stafford
Who handles road adoption?
We build roads and sewers to adoptable standards where agreements are in place with the highway authority and water company.
Is VAT charged on new homes?
Construction of qualifying new dwellings is normally zero-rated for VAT.
How much does a small housing development cost in Stafford?
In Stafford, a small housing development typically costs £1,750–£2,600 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 £700,000–£1,040,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Do you build small housing developments in Stafford?
Yes. We build small housing developments across Stafford, including postcodes ST16. Every project starts with a free home visit.
Do you work with landowners?
Yes. If you own land, with or without planning permission, we can discuss building on it with you.
