Christchurch, Dorset
Side return extension in Christchurch
Thinking about a side return extension in Christchurch? Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. Our team handles the drawings, the planning route and the build, and your contract is with one company throughout.
We cover Christchurch (BH5, BH6 and BH7) as part of our Dorset work. In Christchurch we check the boundary line and the neighbour's gutter before drawing a side return, because a few centimetres decide whether the wall goes on or beside the boundary.
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 Christchurch?
Guide prices for a side return extension in Christchurch start from our South West England rate of £2,390–£3,950 per square metre, including VAT. 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 |
These are guide ranges; the written quote after the survey is the figure that counts.
Do you need planning permission for a side return extension in Christchurch?
Whether your side return extension in Christchurch needs a planning application depends on its size, your house and any local restrictions.
In England the side part of a side return or wraparound must meet the side-extension rules (one storey, under 4 metres high, no more than half the width of the original house), and those rights do not apply on designated land. Because a wraparound combines a side and a rear extension, many need householder planning permission.
Because rear extensions often sit on or near the boundary, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 usually applies in England. Notices go out one or two months before work depending on the type of work, and a surveyor's award is only needed if a neighbour does not consent.
Conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes and the Broads restrict permitted development, and listed buildings always need listed building consent. Before any drawing we look up the property's history with the council, because earlier extensions and removed rights change the answer.
What are homes in Christchurch like to extend?
Christchurch has Victorian terraces nearer the centre and post-war semis on the edges. Sloping gardens are frequent, which affects floor levels and steps down to the patio.
How a side return extension in Christchurch 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.
Options and costs
We draw layout options and price each one, so the budget shapes the design rather than surprising you later.
Paperwork handled
Planning, prior approval or permitted development, Building Regulations approval, structural design and party wall notices are all handled by us.
Written price, then build
Once the design and approvals are in place, you get a fixed written price and programme, and we build through to sign-off.
Side return extensions near Christchurch
Neighbouring places we cover include Bournemouth (4.4 miles) and New Milton (5.2 miles).
- Side return extension in Bournemouth
- Side return extension in New Milton
- Side return extension in Ferndown
- Side return extension in Ringwood
- Side return extension in Canford Heath
Other work in Christchurch:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Christchurch
Do I need planning permission for a rear extension in Christchurch?
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.
How long does a rear extension take to build in Christchurch?
Most single-storey rear extensions take 10 to 16 weeks on site and two-storey extensions 16 to 26 weeks, after design and approvals.
How much space does a side return add?
Typically 8 to 18 square metres, enough to turn a galley kitchen into a kitchen-diner with an island.
How much does a side return extension cost in Christchurch?
As a guide, £2,390–£3,950 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. For example, 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²): about £28,500–£47,500 at that rate. Your written price follows the survey.
Can you match the brick or stone on my Christchurch house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.
Can I get a price without a visit?
Our online guide-price tool gives a range in a couple of minutes. A written price needs a survey.