Ilfracombe, Devon
Side return extension in Ilfracombe
For homes in Ilfracombe, a side return extension is often the simplest way to gain space without moving. Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. We take it from survey to completion certificate.
Ilfracombe and its postcode districts EX34 are part of our Devon coverage. Side returns suit the Victorian and Edwardian terraces found across parts of Devon, where the kitchen sits in a narrow back addition.
Book a free site visit
Tell us about the house and we'll call to arrange a free, no-obligation visit.
How much does a side return extension cost in Ilfracombe?
In Ilfracombe, our guide for a side return extension is £2,390–£3,950 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. South West prices run slightly above our West Midlands baseline; natural stone to match the house is the main variable.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²) | £28,500–£47,500 |
| 2.5 m wide × 7 m deep (17.5 m²) | £42,000–£69,000 |
Ground conditions, glazing, the roof and how far the house is opened up move the final figure within the range.
Do you need planning permission for a side return extension in Ilfracombe?
Here is how the rules in England apply to a side return extension in Ilfracombe.
Side return infills and the side leg of a wraparound are treated as side extensions in England: single-storey, no more than 4 metres high and no wider than half the original house. They are not permitted development in conservation areas, National Parks or National Landscapes, and a joined wraparound often needs a planning application because the side and rear rules apply together.
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies in England: you serve notice two months before work to a shared wall, and one month before digging foundations within 3 metres (or 6 metres for deeper foundations) of a neighbour's building. Neighbours can agree in writing; if they dissent, surveyors agree an award.
Conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes and the Broads restrict permitted development, and listed buildings always need listed building consent. We check your house's planning history and any conservation area before drawing, so the route is clear before you spend on plans.
What are homes in Ilfracombe like to extend?
Stone-built and rendered houses are common around Ilfracombe, so matching the walling is a design decision in its own right: natural stone, reconstituted stone or a render finish across old and new.
How a side return extension in Ilfracombe comes together
Free site visit
We measure the house and garden, look at the back wall, drainage and boundaries, and talk through what you want from the space.
Design and guide price
Two or three layout options with a guide price for each, so you choose the design knowing what it costs.
Paperwork handled
Planning, prior approval or permitted development, Building Regulations approval, structural design and party wall notices are all handled by us.
Fixed price and build
A written price for the agreed design, a start date and a named contact through the build, ending with the building control completion certificate.
Side return extensions near Ilfracombe
Close by, we work in Barnstaple, about 9.2 miles away, and Bideford, about 13.9 miles away.
- Side return extension in Barnstaple
- Side return extension in Bideford
- Side return extension in Porthcawl
- Side return extension in Minehead
- Side return extension in Pyle
Other work in Ilfracombe:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Ilfracombe
Is the site visit in Ilfracombe free?
Yes. We visit, measure up and talk through the options with no cost and no obligation.
Do I need planning permission for a rear extension in Ilfracombe?
Often not for a single-storey rear extension of up to 3 metres (4 metres on a detached house) under permitted development, or up to 6 or 8 metres with prior approval, unless the house is in a conservation area or its rights have been removed.
Can I combine a side return with a rear extension?
Yes; that is a wraparound extension, and it gives the biggest open-plan room a terrace can have.
Do you handle building control in Ilfracombe?
Yes. We apply to the council or a registered building control approver and hand over the completion certificate.
What postcode areas do you cover around Ilfracombe?
Including EX34, and the surrounding Devon area.
Can you match the brick or stone on my Ilfracombe house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.