Ashton-under-Lyne · Greater Manchester

Two-storey side extensions in Ashton-under-Lyne

Want to stay in Ashton-under-Lyne but need more space? A two-storey side extension adds floor area on two levels without giving up much garden. Here's what's involved.

Useful details for planning a two-storey side extension in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Postcode districts
OL6 and OL7
County / area
Greater Manchester, England
Price region
North West England
Guide price
£82,000–£109,500 (£1,950–£2,610 per m²)
Approval route
Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side.
Nearest towns
Dukinfield (1 mile), Stalybridge (1.7 miles), Droylsden (2 miles)
Distance to Manchester
about 5.7 miles
First visit
Free, no obligation

About a two-storey side extension

A two-storey side extension is a new two-floor addition built into the space beside your house, often over a driveway or side passage. It typically adds one or two bedrooms upstairs and a utility, study or larger kitchen below, without giving up rear garden.

Around Ashton-under-Lyne we also work in Dukinfield, Stalybridge and Droylsden, and across the rest of Greater Manchester. Postcode districts in and near Ashton-under-Lyne: OL6 and OL7.

What it costs in Ashton-under-Lyne

Using our North West England rates, a two-storey side extension with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space) comes to about £82,000–£109,500, including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². The fastest way to a firmer number is a free site visit, after which we price the design stage in writing.

SpecPer m²A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential£1,790–£2,400 per m²£75,500–£101,000
Standard£1,950–£2,610 per m²£82,000–£109,500
Premium£2,340–£3,130 per m²£98,000–£131,500

Planning and building regulations in Ashton-under-Lyne

In England, a two-storey side extension always needs householder planning permission, because permitted development only allows single-storey extensions beyond a side wall. The fee is £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026), and councils should decide within 8 weeks of validation. Expect them to look at set-back, roof height, gaps to the boundary and the effect on neighbours.

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 Ashton-under-Lyne homes

Side windows, boundaries and gutters

Upstairs windows in the side wall face the neighbour, so they are usually obscure-glazed and fixed, or left out. Building close to the boundary also raises questions about foundations, overhanging gutters and access for maintenance, so we design the eaves and gutter to stay within your land.

Avoiding a terracing effect

Where semi-detached houses sit close together, side extensions on neighbouring houses can join up and turn a row of pairs into a terrace. Many councils ask for a gap to the boundary at first floor to stop this, so we check local guidance before fixing the width.

How we'd run your project

  1. Understand the brief

    At your home in Ashton-under-Lyne we agree what you need: bedroom count, bathroom, kitchen space, and how much garden you want to keep.

  2. Get it approved

    Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Ashton-under-Lyne and deal with any questions from the planning officer.

  3. Detail and price

    Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.

  4. 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 side extensions in Ashton-under-Lyne

How long does a two-storey side 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 side extension cost in Ashton-under-Lyne?

Our guide for North West England, which covers Ashton-under-Lyne, is £1,950–£2,610 per m² including VAT. A typical project with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space) comes to about £82,000–£109,500. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Do I need planning permission for a two-storey side extension in Ashton-under-Lyne?

Ashton-under-Lyne is in England, so England planning rules apply. Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

Which postcodes do you cover around Ashton-under-Lyne?

We cover Ashton-under-Lyne (OL6 and OL7) and nearby places including Dukinfield, Stalybridge and Droylsden, plus the rest of Greater Manchester. The first site visit is free.

Can I build a two-storey side extension over my driveway?

Yes, if the drive is wide enough for a useful room and the council accepts the design. You may lose off-road parking, which some councils weigh up, and the foundations need to suit the ground below. We check parking, drains and meter positions at the free site visit before any drawings are prepared.

Nearby

We also cover places near Ashton-under-Lyne, including:

Other extensions in Ashton-under-Lyne

All two-storey extension services in Ashton-under-Lyne · Two-storey side extensions across Greater Manchester

Ready to talk it through? Call us or send the form and we'll arrange a visit to your home in Ashton-under-Lyne.

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