Part single, part two-storey extensions in Tunbridge Wells

Before you start in Tunbridge Wells, here's what applies.

Postcode districts: TN1, TN2, TN3 and TN4
County / area: Kent, 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: Tonbridge (4.3 miles), Crowborough (6.6 miles), Sevenoaks (10.2 miles)
Distance to Maidstone: about 14.4 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.

Tunbridge Wells sits about 14.4 miles from Maidstone. Closer to home, Tonbridge is 4.3 miles away and Crowborough 6.6 miles.

What it costs in Tunbridge Wells

Most of the cost of a part single, part two-storey extension is set by its size and specification. For Tunbridge Wells 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). Professional fees for drawings and the structural engineer are listed separately 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	£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 Tunbridge Wells

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 Tunbridge Wells homes

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.

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

Visit and first ideas
One of our team visits your house in Tunbridge Wells, checks the walls, roof and drains, and sketches out options with you.
Design and approvals
We draw the extension and check it against the rules for England, then apply for planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness, whichever fits.
Engineer it
Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and building control approval, all before anyone starts on site.
Build
Foundations, walls, floor, roof, windows, then first and second fix. We break through into the house as late as we can.

Questions about part single, part two-storey extensions in Tunbridge Wells

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

Tunbridge Wells 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 Tunbridge Wells?

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 Tunbridge Wells?

We cover Tunbridge Wells (TN1, TN2, TN3 and TN4) and nearby places including Tonbridge, Crowborough and Sevenoaks, plus the rest of Kent. The first site visit is free.

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.

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.

Nearby

We also cover places near Tunbridge Wells, including:

Other extensions in Tunbridge Wells

All two-storey extension services in Tunbridge Wells · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Kent

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