Two-storey rear extensions in Briton Ferry

The basics for Briton Ferry at a glance.

Postcode districts: SA12
County / area: Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, Wales
Price region: Wales
Guide price: £51,500–£69,500 (£1,840–£2,480 per m²)
Approval route: It may be permitted development if the ground floor goes no more than 4 m and the first floor no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall, with the first floor 10.5 m from the rear boundary.
Nearest towns: Neath (2.3 miles), Cwmafan (2.6 miles), Clydach (5 miles)
Distance to Swansea: about 5.4 miles
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a two-storey rear extension

A two-storey rear extension is a new two-floor addition built onto the back of your house, usually giving a larger kitchen or living space on the ground floor and one or two bedrooms or a bathroom above. Because both floors share one set of foundations and one roof, it adds a lot of floor space for the garden it uses. In some cases it can be built under permitted development, depending on where you live.

We cover Briton Ferry (SA12) and the places around it, including Neath (2.3 miles), Cwmafan (2.6 miles) and Clydach.

What it costs in Briton Ferry

Our guide for Wales is £1,840–£2,480 per m² including VAT. On a project with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space), that puts a two-storey rear extension in Briton Ferry at roughly £51,500–£69,500. Keep a contingency of around 10% for things nobody can see until the ground is opened up.

Spec	Per m²	A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£1,690–£2,290 per m²	£47,500–£64,000
Standard	£1,840–£2,480 per m²	£51,500–£69,500
Premium	£2,210–£2,980 per m²	£62,000–£83,500

Planning and building regulations in Briton Ferry

In Wales, a two-storey rear extension can be permitted development if the ground floor goes no more than 4 m and the first floor no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall, with the first floor at least 10.5 m from the rear boundary. Nothing within 2 m of a boundary can be higher than 4 m. Conservation areas and other protected areas are excluded, and a householder application costs £585.

Approval in Wales: Householder planning application: £585. Councils normally decide householder applications within 8 weeks.

Building regulations: Building regulations approval under the Welsh Approved Documents, which differ from England's in places (notably energy efficiency).

Design points for Briton Ferry homes

Upstairs layout and windows

Bedrooms above need a window big enough for escape or a protected route to the stairs. Side-facing upstairs windows normally have to be obscure-glazed and fixed below 1.7 m, so we put the main bedroom windows in the rear wall and use roof lights where extra daylight is needed.

Depth and neighbours' light

Councils check that a two-storey rear extension does not take too much light or outlook from neighbouring windows, and many use a 45-degree line drawn from the nearest habitable window. We test this at sketch stage, so the depth you are shown is one that can realistically be approved.

How we'd run your project

Measure and listen
A visit to Briton Ferry to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Briton Ferry and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Technical design
We prepare the building regulations drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.
Build it
The new structure goes up first, then we open into the house, finish inside and get the completion certificate.

Questions about two-storey rear extensions in Briton Ferry

Which postcodes do you cover around Briton Ferry?

We cover Briton Ferry (SA12) and nearby places including Neath, Cwmafan and Clydach, plus the rest of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. The first site visit is free.

Do I need planning permission for a two-storey rear extension in Briton Ferry?

Briton Ferry is in Wales, so Wales planning rules apply. It may be permitted development if the ground floor goes no more than 4 m and the first floor no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall, with the first floor 10.5 m from the rear boundary. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

How long does a two-storey rear extension take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils normally decide householder applications within 8 weeks), 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 regulations for a project in Briton Ferry?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in Wales: building regulations approval under the Welsh Approved Documents, which differ from England's in places (notably energy efficiency). We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.

Will a two-storey rear extension block my neighbour's light?

It can if it is too deep or too close to the boundary, which is why councils look closely at its effect on neighbouring windows and gardens. We test the design against light and outlook early, keep the first floor shorter or set in where needed, and use a hipped roof to reduce bulk on the boundary side.

Nearby

Other towns near Briton Ferry:

Other extensions in Briton Ferry

All two-storey extension services in Briton Ferry · Two-storey rear extensions across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot

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