The Manual of Housing Density

Revision III Updated 2024

New Edition

Why you need the Guide…

This document serves as a guide for those involved in the residential development industry, particularly land buyers, developers, planning consultants, and local authority planning officers. It equips them with the knowledge and tools to effectively calculate and understand housing mix and its effect on density.

  • Understanding density is crucial: It significantly impacts the entire development process, from initial estimations to final unit numbers.

  • Calculating density: This manual provides clear instructions on calculating both gross and net density of a site, along with helpful formulas and examples.

  • Density samples: It showcases various housing densities (10-50 dwellings per hectare) using real-world examples and data, demonstrating how different unit mixes impact density.

  • Masterplans: It presents masterplans illustrating the application of density calculations and the impact of site constraints on the final development layout.

  • Density tiles: These tiles offer pre-calculated densities for various housing typologies (houses, apartments, etc.) and commercial buildings, aiding in efficient land use planning.

  • Strategic masterplanning: It delves into the complexities of mixed-use developments, highlighting how changes in planning policies and site features can affect density calculations.

AS USED BY

Sample pages from the guide - click to view

Benefits of using this manual

Make informed decisions about site acquisition and development feasibility based on accurate density calculations.

Avoid the pitfalls of inaccurate "ballpark" figures used in early stages, leading to costly revisions later.

Understand the implications of different unit mixes on density and overall development planning.

Gain an advantage over competitors who lack this knowledge and expertise.

  • "This is Excellent. It should be compulsory reading for Land Agents".

    Katy Jordan
    Managing Director
    Katy Build
    Home Builders Federation
    New Homes Quality Board

  • "This is a valuable and enormously important resource for so many of us in our industry, not just architects and planners but for land buyers right through to sales and marketing teams."

    Liz Ball
    Marketing Manager
    Vistry Major Projects