Part single, part two-storey extensions in Christchurch

Useful details for planning a part single, part two-storey extension in Christchurch.

Postcode districts: BH6, BH7 and BH23
County / area: Dorset, England
Price region: South West England
Guide price: £74,000–£102,000 (£2,060–£2,830 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: Bournemouth (4.4 miles), New Milton (5.2 miles), Ferndown (7.2 miles)
Distance to Bournemouth: about 4.4 miles
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a part single, part two-storey extension

A part single, part two-storey extension suits you if you want a generous ground floor but only need one extra room upstairs, or if a full two-storey design would affect a neighbour too much. You get design options that test where the two-storey part works best, the approvals your nation needs, structural design, building regulations approval and the build, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.

We cover postcode districts BH6, BH7 and BH23 in and around Christchurch, along with neighbouring Bournemouth, New Milton and Ferndown.

What it costs in Christchurch

Most of the cost of a part single, part two-storey extension is set by its size and specification. For Christchurch and the rest of South West England, our guide is £2,060–£2,830 per m² including VAT, so about £74,000–£102,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). Design fees, structural calculations and approval fees are separate and listed on our prices page.

Spec	Per m²	A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total)
Essential	£1,900–£2,610 per m²	£68,000–£94,000
Standard	£2,060–£2,830 per m²	£74,000–£102,000
Premium	£2,470–£3,400 per m²	£89,000–£122,500

Planning and building regulations in Christchurch

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 Christchurch homes

Structure at the step

The first-floor wall above often sits over the new open-plan space, so it needs a steel beam or frame to carry it. Loads come down at different points than in a full two-storey design, and the engineer sizes the foundations to suit each part.

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.

How we'd run your project

Understand the brief
At your home in Christchurch we agree what you need: bedroom count, bathroom, kitchen space, and how much garden you want to keep.
Drawings, then consent
We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in England, and take it through the right consent with the council.
Structure and building control
A structural engineer sizes the foundations and steels, and we get building regulations approval before work starts.
On site
One project lead runs the job, keeps you updated and arranges inspections at each stage until completion.

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

How much does a part single, part two-storey extension cost in Christchurch?

Our guide for South West England, which covers Christchurch, is £2,060–£2,830 per m² including VAT. A typical project with a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total) comes to about £74,000–£102,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

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 postcodes do you cover around Christchurch?

We cover Christchurch (BH6, BH7 and BH23) and nearby places including Bournemouth, New Milton and Ferndown, plus the rest of Dorset. The first site visit is free.

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.

Can the single-storey part be deeper than the two-storey part?

With planning permission, yes, and that is often the point of the design: the ground floor projects further into the garden while the first floor stays back from neighbours. Under permitted development, the depth limits for extensions of more than one storey can apply to the whole extension, so we confirm which route applies before drawings are finalised.

Nearby

Close to Christchurch? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Christchurch

All two-storey extension services in Christchurch · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Dorset

Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.