Witney · Oxfordshire

Two-storey rear extensions in Witney

A two-storey rear extension is one of the most space-efficient ways to add bedrooms and living space to a house in Witney, because the new floors share one set of foundations and one roof.

Quick reference for homeowners in Witney.

Postcode districts
OX7, OX8, OX28 and OX29
County / area
Oxfordshire, England
Price region
South East England
Guide price
£61,500–£83,000 (£2,200–£2,970 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
Carterton (5 miles), Kidlington (8.8 miles), Oxford (10 miles)
Distance to Oxford
about 10 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 Witney (OX7, OX8, OX28 and OX29) and the places around it, including Carterton (5.0 miles), Kidlington (8.8 miles) and Oxford.

What it costs in Witney

A guide price for Witney: around £61,500–£83,000 for a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space). That works out at £2,200–£2,970 per m² of new floor space, including VAT at 20%. These are guides, not quotes. Ground conditions, steelwork and access can move the figure either way.

SpecPer m²A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space)
Essential£2,020–£2,730 per m²£56,500–£76,500
Standard£2,200–£2,970 per m²£61,500–£83,000
Premium£2,640–£3,560 per m²£74,000–£100,000

Planning and building regulations in Witney

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 Witney 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.

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.

How we'd run your project

  1. Start at your house

    We come to your home in Witney, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.

  2. Choose the approval route

    Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in England before drawing in detail.

  3. Engineer it

    Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and building control approval, all before anyone starts on site.

  4. 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 Witney

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.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Witney?

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 Witney?

We cover Witney (OX7, OX8, OX28 and OX29) and nearby places including Carterton, Kidlington and Oxford, plus the rest of Oxfordshire. The first site visit is free.

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

Other towns near Witney:

Other extensions in Witney

All two-storey extension services in Witney · Two-storey rear extensions across Oxfordshire

Tell us about your house in Witney and we'll call you back to arrange a free, no-obligation visit.

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