Chippenham · Wiltshire

Two-storey side extensions in Chippenham

We cover Chippenham and the rest of Wiltshire for two-storey side extensions. Start with a free site visit and a plain-English view of what your house and plot can take.

The basics for Chippenham at a glance.

Postcode districts
SN15
County / area
Wiltshire, England
Price region
South West England
Guide price
£88,500–£119,000 (£2,110–£2,830 per m²)
Approval route
Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side.
Nearest towns
Corsham (3.1 miles), Neston (Wiltshire) (4.6 miles), Calne (5.3 miles)
Distance to Swindon
about 16.2 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 Chippenham (SN15) and the places around it, including Corsham (3.1 miles), Neston (Wiltshire) (4.6 miles) and Calne.

What it costs in Chippenham

For budgeting in Chippenham, allow around £88,500–£119,000 for a two-storey side extension with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). That's based on £2,110–£2,830 per m² including VAT for South West England. Steelwork for wide openings is the item most likely to move the figure; we'll know once the engineer has designed it.

SpecPer m²A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space)
Essential£1,940–£2,610 per m²£81,500–£109,500
Standard£2,110–£2,830 per m²£88,500–£119,000
Premium£2,530–£3,400 per m²£106,500–£143,000

Planning and building regulations in Chippenham

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 Chippenham homes

Set-down and set-back

Councils usually want a two-storey side extension to look subordinate to the house. Setting the front wall back from the main front and dropping the ridge slightly below the main roof helps it read as an addition, and is often expected in local design guidance.

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

  1. Understand the brief

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

  2. Drawings and permission

    Our designers produce plans and elevations, then we take care of planning or permitted development checks with the council covering Chippenham.

  3. Structure and building control

    A structural engineer sizes the foundations and steels, and we get building regulations approval before work starts.

  4. On site

    One project lead runs the job, keeps you updated and arranges inspections at each stage until completion.

Questions about two-storey side extensions in Chippenham

Do I need planning permission for a two-storey side extension in Chippenham?

Chippenham 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.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Chippenham?

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 much does a two-storey side extension cost in Chippenham?

Our guide for South West England, which covers Chippenham, is £2,110–£2,830 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 £88,500–£119,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Which postcodes do you cover around Chippenham?

We cover Chippenham (SN15) and nearby places including Corsham, Neston (Wiltshire) and Calne, plus the rest of Wiltshire. 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

Close to Chippenham? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Chippenham

All two-storey extension services in Chippenham · Two-storey side extensions across Wiltshire

Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.

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