Release the value of your site or building
The most overlooked source of value in property is the site you already own - or the one no one else has spotted
Why a develop a small site?
The margin is created at the design stage, long before a contractor is appointed
Small residential developments, a pair of houses on a garden plot, a mews conversion, a rear garden new-build, a redundant commercial unit turned into flats, are where architectural skill and development instinct meet.
We work with private individuals, small landowners, first-time developers and small developers to unlock sites that larger developers overlook and that require a more considered, design-led approach to get through planning. We understand viability, we understand what planning committees respond to and we understand how to produce schemes that are genuinely deliverable, not just approvable.
Before & After | See a recent transformation: Crosby Row.
Recent projects
What we have designed & built
How we work
From initial inquiry to finished scheme - Six clear stages
For all new business enquiries, we begin with a free one hour consultation. If possible, before you contact us please draw up a brief (a wish-list for the project). We can see your project through the whole process from planning to construction completion or limit services to the initial stages. How much or little you commission is up to you.
01
Consultation [FREE]
We visit your site or have a virtual meeting to assess feasibility, discuss your ideas and give you an honest picture of what is achievable and at what potential cost.
02
Measured Survey & Concept Feasibility
We carry out a detailed measured survey of your property or arrange for a topographical survey of your site. This is the foundation for all design and planning work. We produce architectural drawings, design options and highlight problems that need solving. We can also provide an approximate project cost estimate based on previous completed projects.
03
Planning Submission
We revise the architectural drawings and submit your Planning Application. We prepare all supporting information and advise if specialist consultant reports are required.
04
Final Design & Detailed Design
We finalise the design materials, finishes, appliances and fittings, along with electrical layouts. We help you to appoint a structural engineer, along with any other specialist consultants, such as Party Wall surveyors etc. We prepare detail design drawings and co-ordinate with the structural design and any other consultants appointed. We check the detailed design for compliance with building regulations.
05
Tender & Construction
We help you select a contractor, review quotes and set up a fair, transparent building contract. We administer the contact, inspect the works on site, and are available throughout the build. We can keep a track of cost and can check payments due to the builder.
06
Handover & Close Out
We inspect and value the works to certify Practical Completion at handover. We then stay in touch through 6 or 12 month defects period and carry out a final inspection to certify the last payment, protecting your interests to the very end.
Client Testimonials
What our clients say
★★★★★
“I have worked with MTA on a number of development schemes, over 10 years & we have a 100% record of achieving planning with them - Michael is well liked and respected by the planning officers, primarily down to his insistence on quality design and materials, plus importantly knowing when to compromise. His developments are ones people really want to live in….and they stand the test of time.”
Tom Sherwood, Sherwood Street Ltd
★★★★★
“I have used MTA for several design and build projects and they were excellent from start to finish. They are not a large practice so it is a very personal service & nothing is too much for Michael and the team.
I would recommend them from a simple loft conversion or kitchen extension to a complete renovation project and they are very competent with liaising with the planners and managing the construction project. They are also very fair with their fees structure and their work represents great value for money having tried out a few other inferior practices and architects before.”
George Macari
★★★★★
“I have been working along with MTA on various projects for the last 6 years. Great architects with experience and knowledge of different types of projects and contract types. Clear specifications and architectural drawings provide exact information to get you through project stages to final completion. I would not hesitate to recommend MTA Architecture & Design.”
Lukasz Muszynski, Site Manager, MONO LTD
Common questions
What people ask us most
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Viability depends on a combination of planning policy, site constraints, construction cost and market value. We carry out an initial feasibility assessment at stage two that considers all of these factors and gives you a realistic picture of what the site can deliver. You can then decide whether the numbers work.
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Yes. New dwellings always require full planning permission. However, many garden plots in London and suburban areas have genuine development potential that owners are unaware of. Local planning policy, neighbouring precedent and design quality all affect the outcome. We advise on prospects honestly before any application is prepared.
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From initial feasibility to completion of a two-unit scheme, expect 18–30 months. This includes design and planning (which can take 6–12 months for a new dwelling), detailed design and tender, and a build period of typically 12–18 months. Early engagement with the planning authority through a pre-application discussion, which we manage, can significantly reduce uncertainty and time.
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Yes. We regularly take on projects where a previous application has been refused or where a scheme has stalled. We analyse what went wrong, advise on whether a revised scheme has prospects, and if so, redesign and resubmit with a stronger planning case.
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Our fee is a fixed fee based on the time needed to complete the application with a bonus payment if the project is granted permission, agreed at the outset. For feasibility work at the early stages, we charge a fixed fee. There are no surprises. We discuss this at your free consultation.
