Two-storey side extensions in Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan)

Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan): the key facts for this kind of project.

Postcode districts: CF14
County / area: Cardiff and the Vale of 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: Rhiwbina (1.2 miles), Llandaff (1.3 miles), Thornhill (2.4 miles)
Distance to Cardiff: about 2.8 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 Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan) (CF14) and the places around it, including Rhiwbina (1.2 miles), Llandaff (1.3 miles) and Thornhill.

What it costs in Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan)

Expect a two-storey side extension in Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan) to land somewhere around £79,000–£106,500 for a 3 m × 7 m footprint on two floors (42 m² of new floor space). Our Wales guide rate is £1,890–£2,530 per m², including VAT. The fastest way to a firmer number is a free site visit, after which we price the design stage in writing.

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 Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan)

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 Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan) homes

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.

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

Understand the brief
At your home in Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan) we agree what you need: bedroom count, bathroom, kitchen space, and how much garden you want to keep.
Drawings, then consent
We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in Wales, and take it through the right consent with the council.
Engineer it
Foundations sized for two floors, steels for any openings, and building control approval, all before anyone starts on site.
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 Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan)

Do I need planning permission for a two-storey side extension in Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan)?

Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan) 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.

Who handles building regulations for a project in Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan)?

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.

Which postcodes do you cover around Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan)?

We cover Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan) (CF14) and nearby places including Rhiwbina, Llandaff and Thornhill, plus the rest of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The first site visit is free.

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.

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

We also cover places near Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan), including:

Other extensions in Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan)

All two-storey extension services in Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan) · Two-storey side extensions across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan

Tell us about your house in Whitchurch (Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan) and we'll call you back to arrange a free, no-obligation visit.