Kempston · Bedfordshire

Part single, part two-storey extensions in Kempston

For a part single, part two-storey extension in Kempston, the first questions are always the same: how big, which approvals, and what it will cost. This page answers all three for Bedfordshire.

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

Postcode districts
MK43
County / area
Bedfordshire, England
Price region
East of 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
Kempston Hardwick (1.8 miles), Bedford (1.9 miles), Ampthill (6.2 miles)
Distance to Luton
about 16.7 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.

Kempston sits about 16.7 miles from Luton. Closer to home, Kempston Hardwick is 1.8 miles away and Bedford 1.9 miles.

What it costs in Kempston

Our guide for the East of England is £2,060–£2,830 per m² including VAT. On a project with a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total), that puts a part single, part two-storey extension in Kempston at roughly £74,000–£102,000. Keep a contingency of around 10% for things nobody can see until the ground is opened up.

SpecPer m²A 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 Kempston

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 Kempston 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

  1. Measure and listen

    A visit to Kempston to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.

  2. Get it approved

    Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Kempston and deal with any questions from the planning officer.

  3. Fixed price in writing

    With approved drawings and calculations, we give you a fixed build price and a programme you can plan around.

  4. Build and sign-off

    Vetted teams working under S&K build the extension, and we arrange the building control completion certificate at the end.

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

Who handles building regulations for a project in Kempston?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in England: building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end. We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.

Which postcodes do you cover around Kempston?

We cover Kempston (MK43) and nearby places including Kempston Hardwick, Bedford and Ampthill, plus the rest of Bedfordshire. 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.

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.

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

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

Other extensions in Kempston

All two-storey extension services in Kempston · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Bedfordshire

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

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