Two-storey side extensions in Spitalfields

Spitalfields: the key facts for this kind of project.

Postcode districts: EC1Y, EC2, EC2A, EC2M, EC2N, EC2P and nearby districts
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: Whitechapel (0.6 miles), Bethnal Green (0.7 miles), Shadwell (1 mile)
First visit: Free, no obligation

About a two-storey side extension

A two-storey side extension suits a detached or semi-detached house with a side garden, driveway or garage wide enough to build on. You get a design that sits comfortably on the street, a planning application or permitted development check depending on your nation, structural design, building regulations approval and the build itself. We manage the whole process, and the work is carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.

We cover Spitalfields (EC1Y, EC2, EC2A, EC2M, EC2N, EC2P and nearby districts) and the places around it, including Whitechapel (0.6 miles), Bethnal Green (0.7 miles) and Shadwell.

What it costs in Spitalfields

In London, which includes Spitalfields, we'd expect a two-storey side extension to cost around £103,500–£138,500 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space), or £2,460–£3,300 per m² including VAT. 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	£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 Spitalfields

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 Spitalfields 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

Start at your house
We come to your home in Spitalfields, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Spitalfields and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Price it properly
Once the engineer's calculations are in, we fix the build price in writing, with a clear list of what's included.
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 Spitalfields

Which postcodes do you cover around Spitalfields?

We cover Spitalfields (EC1Y, EC2, EC2A, EC2M, EC2N, EC2P and nearby districts) and nearby places including Whitechapel, Bethnal Green and Shadwell, plus the rest of Greater London. The first site visit is free.

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

Our guide for London, which covers Spitalfields, is £2,460–£3,300 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 £103,500–£138,500. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Spitalfields?

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.

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

Spitalfields 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

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

Other extensions in Spitalfields

All two-storey extension services in Spitalfields · Two-storey side extensions across Greater London

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