Part single, part two-storey extensions in Downpatrick

Before you start in Downpatrick, here's what applies.

Postcode districts: BT30
County / area: County Down, Northern Ireland
Price region: Northern Ireland
Guide price: £63,500–£87,000 (£1,760–£2,420 per m²)
Approval route: It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays 7 m from the rear boundary.
Nearest towns: Ballynahinch (8.9 miles), Newcastle (10.4 miles), Carryduff (14.8 miles)
Distance to Bangor (County Down): about 23.1 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.

Downpatrick sits about 23.1 miles from Bangor (County Down). Closer to home, Ballynahinch is 8.9 miles away and Newcastle 10.4 miles.

What it costs in Downpatrick

Guide prices for part single, part two-storey extensions in Northern Ireland are around £1,760–£2,420 per m² of new floor space, including VAT. For a typical project with a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total), that's roughly £63,500–£87,000. Keep a contingency of around 10% for things nobody can see until the ground is opened up.

Spec	Per m²	A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total)
Essential	£1,620–£2,230 per m²	£58,500–£80,000
Standard	£1,760–£2,420 per m²	£63,500–£87,000
Premium	£2,110–£2,900 per m²	£76,000–£104,500

Planning and building control in Downpatrick

In Northern Ireland, the extension can 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 height, materials and roof pitch conditions met. Specified protected areas are excluded. If the design goes further, a planning application costs £347 per dwelling, and building control approval is needed either way.

Approval in Northern Ireland: Planning application for works to a house: £347. Councils aim to decide local applications within an average of 15 weeks; many take longer.

Building control: Building control approval from the local council under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), using the Technical Booklets.

Design points for Downpatrick 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.

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.

How we'd run your project

Understand the brief
At your home in Downpatrick 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 Northern Ireland, and take it through the right consent with the council.
Engineer it
Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and building control approval, all before anyone starts on site.
Build and hand over
We manage the build from groundworks to decoration-ready finish and hand over with the completion paperwork.

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

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

Downpatrick is in Northern Ireland. It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays 7 m from the rear boundary.

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 aim to decide local applications within an average of 15 weeks; many take longer), 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.

Who handles building control for a project in Downpatrick?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in Northern Ireland: building control approval from the local council under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), using the Technical Booklets. We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.

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.

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.

Nearby

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

Other extensions in Downpatrick

All two-storey extension services in Downpatrick · Part single, part two-storey extensions across County Down

The quickest next step is a visit. We'll look at your house in Downpatrick and give you an honest view of the options.