Part single, part two-storey extensions in Desborough

Quick reference for homeowners in Desborough.

Postcode districts: LE16
County / area: Northamptonshire, England
Price region: East Midlands
Guide price: £70,500–£97,000 (£1,960–£2,700 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: Market Harborough (4.9 miles), Kettering (5 miles), Corby (6.7 miles)
Distance to Northampton: about 13.5 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.

Desborough sits about 13.5 miles from Northampton. Closer to home, Market Harborough is 4.9 miles away and Kettering 5.0 miles.

What it costs in Desborough

For budgeting in Desborough, allow around £70,500–£97,000 for a part single, part two-storey extension with a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). That's based on £1,960–£2,700 per m² including VAT for the East Midlands. 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	£1,800–£2,480 per m²	£65,000–£89,500
Standard	£1,960–£2,700 per m²	£70,500–£97,000
Premium	£2,350–£3,230 per m²	£84,500–£116,500

Planning and building regulations in Desborough

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 Desborough 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.

Light into the kitchen

The single-storey part is the place for roof lights or a lantern, which bring daylight deep into the plan. In England, glazing is normally limited to 25% of the new floor area plus any windows removed, unless calculations show the house still performs, so we plan the balance early.

How we'd run your project

Look at the house
We start in Desborough with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Drawings and permission
Our designers produce plans and elevations, then we take care of planning or permitted development checks with the council covering Desborough.
Fixed price in writing
With approved drawings and calculations, we give you a fixed build price and a programme you can plan around.
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 Desborough

Which postcodes do you cover around Desborough?

We cover Desborough (LE16) and nearby places including Market Harborough, Kettering and Corby, plus the rest of Northamptonshire. The first site visit is free.

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.

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

Our guide for the East Midlands, which covers Desborough, is £1,960–£2,700 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 £70,500–£97,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

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

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

Other extensions in Desborough

All two-storey extension services in Desborough · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Northamptonshire

Want a figure first? Try our guide price tool, then book a free visit to firm it up.