Two-storey wraparound extensions in Birstall
Homes in Birstall with a bit of space to the side or rear can often take a two-storey wraparound extension. We'll tell you honestly whether yours can, and what approvals it needs.
The basics for Birstall at a glance.
- Postcode districts
- LE4
- County / area
- Leicestershire, England
- Price region
- East Midlands
- Guide price
- £118,000–£162,000 (£2,110–£2,890 per m²)
- Approval route
- Planning permission is needed: the side part takes it outside permitted development in England.
- Nearest towns
- Belgrave (1.2 miles), Humberstone (1.8 miles), Leicester (2 miles)
- Distance to Leicester
- about 2 miles
- First visit
- Free, no obligation
About a two-storey wraparound extension
A two-storey wraparound extension is an L-shaped addition that extends both the side and the rear of your house, on two floors. It gives one of the largest gains in floor space of any extension, typically a big open-plan kitchen and living area below and two or more bedrooms or bathrooms above. In England it needs planning permission, because the side part is more than one storey.
Birstall sits about 2.0 miles from Leicester. Closer to home, Belgrave is 1.2 miles away and Humberstone 1.8 miles.
What it costs in Birstall
Guide prices for two-storey wraparound extensions in the East Midlands are around £2,110–£2,890 per m² of new floor space, including VAT. For a typical project with an L-shaped footprint of about 28 m² wrapping the side and rear, on two floors (56 m² of new floor space), that's roughly £118,000–£162,000. The fastest way to a firmer number is a free site visit, after which we price the design stage in writing.
| Spec | Per m² | An L-shaped footprint of about 28 m² wrapping the side and rear, on two floors (56 m² of new floor space) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £1,940–£2,660 per m² | £108,500–£149,000 |
| Standard | £2,110–£2,890 per m² | £118,000–£162,000 |
| Premium | £2,530–£3,470 per m² | £141,500–£194,500 |
Planning and building regulations in Birstall
In England, a two-storey wraparound extension needs householder planning permission, because any extension beyond a side wall must be single storey to be permitted development. The application costs £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026). Councils weigh the side part against the street scene and the rear part against neighbours' light and outlook, and should decide within 8 weeks of validation.
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 Birstall homes
Daylight to the middle
A deep L-shaped plan can leave the middle of the ground floor dark, because the old rear rooms are now enclosed. We use wide rear openings, a well-placed stair and, where part of the extension is single storey, roof lights, while keeping total glazing within the Part L allowance.
The corner post
At the outside corner of the L, there is no existing wall to carry the floor above. Opening the ground floor fully usually means a steel frame or a corner post, and the engineer's design sets how slim it can be. We decide early whether you want a clear corner or a visible post.
How we'd run your project
Look at the house
We start in Birstall with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Birstall and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.
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 wraparound extensions in Birstall
How much does a two-storey wraparound extension cost in Birstall?
Our guide for the East Midlands, which covers Birstall, is £2,110–£2,890 per m² including VAT. A typical project with an L-shaped footprint of about 28 m² wrapping the side and rear, on two floors (56 m² of new floor space) comes to about £118,000–£162,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.
Do I need planning permission for a two-storey wraparound extension in Birstall?
Birstall is in England, so England planning rules apply. Planning permission is needed: the side part takes it outside permitted development in England. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.
How long does a two-storey wraparound 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.
Can I stay at home during a wraparound extension?
Many people do, but a wraparound affects two sides of the house and usually the kitchen, so there will be weeks without a full kitchen. We plan a temporary kitchen, keep a route through the house and seal off the work area. For some families, moving out while the rear wall is opened up is easier.
Can a wraparound extension be part single, part two-storey?
Yes. Many wraparounds keep the rear part single storey with roof lights over the kitchen and put the two-storey part to the side. This can reduce the effect on neighbours and the cost. We set out both options at the design stage, so you can compare floor space against price before choosing.
Nearby
Close to Birstall? We work across the area, including:
Other extensions in Birstall
- Rear
- Side
- Part two-storey
- Over a garage
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in Birstall · Two-storey wraparound extensions across Leicestershire
Want a figure first? Try our guide price tool, then book a free visit to firm it up.