Swanage, Dorset
Side return extension in Swanage
Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. If you live in Swanage and want to know what a side return extension would cost and whether it needs planning, start with the online guide price or a free site visit.
We cover Swanage (BH19) as part of our Dorset work. In Swanage 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 Swanage?
A side return extension in Swanage is priced at £2,390–£3,950 per square metre including VAT as a guide, before kitchen fit-out and fees. 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 |
We put a fixed price in writing once the design is agreed, and explain any provisional sums such as foundations.
Do you need planning permission for a side return extension in Swanage?
Here is how the rules in England apply to a side return extension in Swanage.
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. 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 Swanage like to extend?
Swanage 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 Swanage 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.
Approvals
Permitted development check, prior approval or planning application, then Building Regulations drawings and structural calculations, plus party wall notices where they apply.
Build and sign-off
We build to the approved drawings with regular updates, then hand over the building control completion certificate and any guarantees from suppliers.
Side return extensions near Swanage
We also build side return extensions in nearby Poole (7.4 miles) and Bournemouth (8.5 miles).
- Side return extension in Poole
- Side return extension in Bournemouth
- Side return extension in Canford Heath
- Side return extension in Broadstone
- Side return extension in Christchurch
Other work in Swanage:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Swanage
Can you match the brick or stone on my Swanage house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.
Do you handle building control in Swanage?
Yes. We apply to the council or a registered building control approver and hand over the completion certificate.
Glass roof or solid roof with rooflights?
A glass roof gives the most light; a solid roof with long rooflights is warmer and quieter in rain. Both work.
What postcode areas do you cover around Swanage?
Including BH19, and the surrounding Dorset area.
Can I live at home while the extension is built?
Usually yes. Most of the work is outside until the back wall is opened near the end, and that stage is screened off.
Do I need planning permission for a rear extension in Swanage?
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.