Part single, part two-storey extensions in Chelsea

Quick reference for homeowners in Chelsea.

Postcode districts: SW3, SW7 and SW10
County / area: Greater London, England
Price region: London
Guide price: £86,500–£119,000 (£2,400–£3,300 per m²)
Approval route: It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall (counting any single-storey part) and stays 7 m from the rear boundary; otherwise it needs planning permission.
Nearest towns: Battersea (1.1 miles), Knightsbridge and Belgravia (1.2 miles), Earls Court (1.3 miles)
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a part single, part two-storey extension

A part single, part two-storey extension is an extension where the ground floor is wider or deeper than the floor above, so only part of it rises to two storeys. It usually gives a large kitchen or living area with roof lights below and one bedroom or bathroom above. It is often a good way to add space while limiting the effect on neighbours.

Around Chelsea we also work in Battersea, Knightsbridge and Belgravia and Earls Court, and across the rest of Greater London. Postcode districts in and near Chelsea: SW3, SW7 and SW10.

What it costs in Chelsea

Most of the cost of a part single, part two-storey extension is set by its size and specification. For Chelsea and the rest of London, our guide is £2,400–£3,300 per m² including VAT, so about £86,500–£119,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). Kitchens, bathroom fittings and flooring are priced separately so you can compare like with like.

Spec	Per m²	A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total)
Essential	£2,210–£3,040 per m²	£79,500–£109,500
Standard	£2,400–£3,300 per m²	£86,500–£119,000
Premium	£2,880–£3,960 per m²	£103,500–£142,500

Planning and building regulations in Chelsea

In England, the extension can only be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays at least 7 m from the rear boundary, with matching materials and roof pitch. We check the whole design against the rules, including the 50% garden coverage limit. If any part fails, or extends beyond a side wall on two floors, you need planning permission, costing £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026).

Approval in England: Householder planning application: £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026). Lawful development certificate: £274 (about £288 for applications from 8 December 2026). Councils should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation.

Building regulations: Building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end.

Design points for Chelsea homes

The roof junction

Where the single-storey roof meets the two-storey wall you need a sound weathering detail, usually a lead or similar flashing, and enough height for roof lights or a lantern. We set the roof falls and the upstairs window sill heights together so they do not clash.

Where to put the two-storey part

The two-storey section usually works best away from the closest neighbour, with the single-storey part on that boundary side. We test a few positions against neighbours' windows, the upstairs layout and the roof shape before choosing the one to take forward.

How we'd run your project

Visit and first ideas
One of our team visits your house in Chelsea, checks the walls, roof and drains, and sketches out options with you.
Drawings and permission
Our designers produce plans and elevations, then we take care of planning or permitted development checks with the council covering Chelsea.
Structure and building control
A structural engineer sizes the foundations and steels, and we get building regulations approval before work starts.
Build
Foundations, walls, floor, roof, windows, then first and second fix. We break through into the house as late as we can.

Questions about part single, part two-storey extensions in Chelsea

Which postcodes do you cover around Chelsea?

We cover Chelsea (SW3, SW7 and SW10) and nearby places including Battersea, Knightsbridge and Belgravia and Earls Court, plus the rest of Greater London. The first site visit is free.

Do I need planning permission for a part single, part two-storey extension in Chelsea?

Chelsea is in England, so England planning rules apply. It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall (counting any single-storey part) and stays 7 m from the rear boundary; otherwise it needs planning permission. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

How long does a part single, part two-storey extension take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation), then 4 to 8 weeks of technical design, which can overlap. The build itself usually takes 14 to 20 weeks, longer for large or complex designs.

Which side should the two-storey part go on?

Usually the side furthest from the nearest neighbour's windows, so the single-storey part sits nearest them and keeps their light. Other factors are where the stairs land upstairs, which room needs the extra space and where drains run. We sketch options at the design stage and explain which is most likely to be approved.

Can I add roof lights to the single-storey part?

Yes. Roof lights or a lantern over the single-storey part are one of the main reasons to choose this design, as they light the middle of a deep kitchen. In England they count towards the Part L glazing allowance, normally 25% of the new floor area plus windows removed, so we balance them with the rear doors.

Nearby

Nearby towns we cover for part single, part two-storey extensions:

Other extensions in Chelsea

All two-storey extension services in Chelsea · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Greater London

Book a free site visit in Chelsea and we'll tell you what's possible, what approvals you need and what the design stage would cost.