Part single, part two-storey extensions in Oxford
Adding a part single, part two-storey extension in Oxford gives you two new rooms stacked on one footprint. Here's how we'd approach it, what it typically costs and the rules that apply in England.
Before you start in Oxford, here's what applies.
- Postcode districts
- OX1, OX2 and OX3
- County / area
- Oxfordshire, England
- Price region
- South East England
- Guide price
- £79,000–£109,000 (£2,200–£3,030 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
- Cowley (2.5 miles), Kidlington (5 miles), Abingdon (5.7 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.
We cover Oxford (OX1, OX2 and OX3) and the places around it, including Cowley (2.5 miles), Kidlington (5.0 miles) and Abingdon.
What it costs in Oxford
Most of the cost of a part single, part two-storey extension is set by its size and specification. For Oxford and the rest of South East England, our guide is £2,200–£3,030 per m² including VAT, so about £79,000–£109,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). These are guides, not quotes. Ground conditions, steelwork and access can move the figure either way.
| Spec | Per m² | A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £2,020–£2,780 per m² | £73,000–£100,000 |
| Standard | £2,200–£3,030 per m² | £79,000–£109,000 |
| Premium | £2,640–£3,630 per m² | £95,000–£130,500 |
Planning and building regulations in Oxford
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 Oxford homes
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.
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
Free site visit
We visit your home in Oxford, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.
Plans, then approval
Measured survey, design, then the right approval route for your house. We explain each step before we take it.
Price it properly
Once the engineer's calculations are in, we fix the build price in writing, with a clear list of what's included.
Build it
The new structure goes up first, then we open into the house, finish inside and get the completion certificate.
Questions about part single, part two-storey extensions in Oxford
Do I need planning permission for a part single, part two-storey extension in Oxford?
Oxford 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.
Who handles building regulations for a project in Oxford?
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 Oxford?
We cover Oxford (OX1, OX2 and OX3) and nearby places including Cowley, Kidlington and Abingdon, plus the rest of Oxfordshire. The first site visit is free.
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 Oxford
- Rear
- Side
- Wraparound
- Over a garage
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in Oxford · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Oxfordshire
Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.