Two-storey side extensions in Brixton Hill
Homes in Brixton Hill with a bit of space to the side or rear can often take a two-storey side extension. We'll tell you honestly whether yours can, and what approvals it needs.
Before you start in Brixton Hill, here's what applies.
- Postcode districts
- SW2
- County / area
- Greater London, England
- Price region
- London
- Guide price
- £103,500–£138,500 (£2,460–£3,300 per m²)
- Approval route
- Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side.
- Nearest towns
- Clapham (0.9 miles), Brixton (1.2 miles), Balham (1.2 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.
We cover Brixton Hill (SW2) and the places around it, including Clapham (0.9 miles), Brixton (1.2 miles) and Balham.
What it costs in Brixton Hill
Guide prices for two-storey side extensions in London are around £2,460–£3,300 per m² of new floor space, including VAT. For a typical project with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space), that's roughly £103,500–£138,500. Design fees, structural calculations and approval fees are separate and listed on our prices page.
| Spec | Per m² | A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £2,260–£3,040 per m² | £95,000–£127,500 |
| Standard | £2,460–£3,300 per m² | £103,500–£138,500 |
| Premium | £2,950–£3,960 per m² | £124,000–£166,500 |
Planning and building regulations in Brixton Hill
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 Brixton Hill 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.
Access and services
Side extensions often cover the only route to the back garden, a gas meter, soil pipes or a drain run. We plan bin and bike access, move meters and pipes where needed and check drains early, because these items affect both cost and layout.
How we'd run your project
Free site visit
We visit your home in Brixton Hill, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.
Drawings and permission
Our designers produce plans and elevations, then we take care of planning or permitted development checks with the council covering Brixton Hill.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.
Build
Foundations, walls, floor, roof, windows, then first and second fix. We break through into the house as late as we can.
Questions about two-storey side extensions in Brixton Hill
Who handles building regulations for a project in Brixton Hill?
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.
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.
Do I need planning permission for a two-storey side extension in Brixton Hill?
Brixton Hill 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 Brixton Hill?
We cover Brixton Hill (SW2) and nearby places including Clapham, Brixton and Balham, plus the rest of Greater London. 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
The same service in neighbouring towns:
Other extensions in Brixton Hill
- Rear
- Wraparound
- Part two-storey
- Over a garage
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in Brixton Hill · Two-storey side extensions across Greater London
Want a figure first? Try our guide price tool, then book a free visit to firm it up.