Two-storey rear extensions in Gateshead

The basics for Gateshead at a glance.

Postcode districts: NE8
County / area: Tyne and Wear, England
Price region: North East England
Guide price: £50,500–£68,000 (£1,800–£2,430 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: Newcastle upon Tyne (0.9 miles), Felling (1.4 miles), Gosforth (2.7 miles)
Distance to Newcastle upon Tyne: about 0.9 miles
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a two-storey rear extension

A two-storey rear extension suits you if you need more room on both floors and have a reasonably deep garden. You get one team for the whole job: a measured survey, the design, a check on whether permitted development applies, planning drawings where they are needed, structural design, building regulations approval and the build itself, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K. Every project starts with a free site visit.

We cover Gateshead (NE8) and the places around it, including Newcastle upon Tyne (0.9 miles), Felling (1.4 miles) and Gosforth.

What it costs in Gateshead

Most of the cost of a two-storey rear extension is set by its size and specification. For Gateshead and the rest of North East England, our guide is £1,800–£2,430 per m² including VAT, so about £50,500–£68,000 for a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space). Design fees, structural calculations and approval fees are separate and listed on our prices page.

Spec	Per m²	A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space)
Essential	£1,660–£2,240 per m²	£46,500–£62,500
Standard	£1,800–£2,430 per m²	£50,500–£68,000
Premium	£2,160–£2,920 per m²	£60,500–£81,500

Planning and building regulations in Gateshead

In England, a two-storey rear extension can be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the rear wall of the original house, stays at least 7 m from the rear boundary and matches the house's materials and roof pitch. It is not permitted development in conservation areas, National Landscapes, National Parks, World Heritage Sites or the Broads. Otherwise a householder application costs £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 Gateshead homes

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.

Foundations and drains

Foundations for two storeys carry more load than a single storey and may need to go deeper near trees or on clay. Rear extensions often sit near drains, so we check sewer records early, as building over or near a public sewer may need the water company's agreement.

How we'd run your project

Look at the house
We start in Gateshead with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Plans, then approval
Measured survey, design, then the right approval route for your house. We explain each step before we take it.
Structure and building control
A structural engineer sizes the foundations and steels, and we get building regulations approval before work starts.
Build and hand over
We manage the build from groundworks to decoration-ready finish and hand over with the completion paperwork.

Questions about two-storey rear extensions in Gateshead

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

Gateshead 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.

How long does a two-storey rear 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.

How much does a two-storey rear extension cost in Gateshead?

Our guide for North East England, which covers Gateshead, is £1,800–£2,430 per m² including VAT. A typical project with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) comes to about £50,500–£68,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Can I have a balcony on a two-storey rear extension?

In England, balconies, verandas and raised platforms are not permitted development, so a balcony on a two-storey rear extension needs planning permission. A Juliet balcony, a guard rail across full-height doors with no platform to stand on, is often a practical alternative, but it still needs checking against the rules and the council's approach to overlooking.

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

Nearby towns we cover for two-storey rear extensions:

Other extensions in Gateshead

All two-storey extension services in Gateshead · Two-storey rear extensions across Tyne and Wear

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