Two-storey side extensions in Hirwaun
Homes in Hirwaun 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.
What we'd confirm first for a project in Hirwaun.
- Postcode districts
- CF44
- County / area
- Mid Glamorgan, Wales
- Price region
- Wales
- Guide price
- £79,000–£106,500 (£1,890–£2,530 per m²)
- Approval route
- Can be permitted development in Wales if it is 10.5 m from the side boundary, set back 1 m from the front and doesn't widen the house by more than half; otherwise planning permission.
- Nearest towns
- Aberdare (3.1 miles), Glynneath (4.7 miles), Treorchy (5.5 miles)
- Distance to Rhondda
- about 6.1 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 Hirwaun we also work in Aberdare, Glynneath and Treorchy, and across the rest of Mid Glamorgan. Postcode district in and near Hirwaun: CF44.
What it costs in Hirwaun
Our guide for Wales is £1,890–£2,530 per m² including VAT. On a project with a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space), that puts a two-storey side extension in Hirwaun at roughly £79,000–£106,500. Professional fees for drawings and the structural engineer are listed separately on our prices page.
| Spec | Per m² | A 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £1,740–£2,330 per m² | £73,000–£98,000 |
| Standard | £1,890–£2,530 per m² | £79,000–£106,500 |
| Premium | £2,260–£3,040 per m² | £95,000–£127,500 |
Planning and building regulations in Hirwaun
In Wales, a two-storey side extension can be permitted development if it is at least 10.5 m from the boundary opposite the side wall, set back at least 1 m from the front of the house and does not increase the house's widest width by more than 50%. If it fails any test, or the house is in a protected area, a householder application costs £585.
Approval in Wales: Householder planning application: £585. Councils normally decide householder applications within 8 weeks.
Building regulations: Building regulations approval under the Welsh Approved Documents, which differ from England's in places (notably energy efficiency).
Design points for Hirwaun 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.
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.
How we'd run your project
Measure and listen
A visit to Hirwaun to understand how you live in the house now and what the extra rooms need to do, plus a first look at the structure.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Hirwaun and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Technical design
We prepare the building regulations drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.
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 side extensions in Hirwaun
How long does a two-storey side extension take?
Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils normally decide householder applications within 8 weeks), 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 Hirwaun?
We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in Wales: building regulations approval under the Welsh Approved Documents, which differ from England's in places (notably energy efficiency). We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.
Do I need planning permission for a two-storey side extension in Hirwaun?
Hirwaun is in Wales, so Wales planning rules apply. Can be permitted development in Wales if it is 10.5 m from the side boundary, set back 1 m from the front and doesn't widen the house by more than half; otherwise planning permission. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.
Which postcodes do you cover around Hirwaun?
We cover Hirwaun (CF44) and nearby places including Aberdare, Glynneath and Treorchy, plus the rest of Mid Glamorgan. 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
Other towns near Hirwaun:
Other extensions in Hirwaun
- 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 Hirwaun · Two-storey side extensions across Mid Glamorgan
Book a free site visit in Hirwaun and we'll tell you what's possible, what approvals you need and what the design stage would cost.