Dursley · Gloucestershire

Two-storey side extensions in Dursley

For a two-storey side extension in Dursley, the first questions are always the same: how big, which approvals, and what it will cost. This page answers all three for Gloucestershire.

The basics for Dursley at a glance.

Postcode districts
GL11, GL12 and GL13
County / area
Gloucestershire, 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
Stroud (8.1 miles), Thornbury (8.7 miles), Yate (10.1 miles)
Distance to Gloucester
about 13.6 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 postcode districts GL11, GL12 and GL13 in and around Dursley, along with neighbouring Stroud, Thornbury and Yate.

What it costs in Dursley

In South West England, which includes Dursley, we'd expect a two-storey side extension to cost around £88,500–£119,000 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space), or £2,110–£2,830 per m² including VAT. Professional fees for drawings and the structural engineer are listed separately on our prices page.

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 Dursley

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 Dursley homes

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.

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. Look at the house

    We start in Dursley with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.

  2. Drawings, then consent

    We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in England, and take it through the right consent with the council.

  3. Detail and price

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

  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 Dursley

Which postcodes do you cover around Dursley?

We cover Dursley (GL11, GL12 and GL13) and nearby places including Stroud, Thornbury and Yate, plus the rest of Gloucestershire. The first site visit is free.

How much does a two-storey side extension cost in Dursley?

Our guide for South West England, which covers Dursley, 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.

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 Dursley?

Dursley 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.

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 Dursley

All two-storey extension services in Dursley · Two-storey side extensions across Gloucestershire

The quickest next step is a visit. We'll look at your house in Dursley and give you an honest view of the options.

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