Whitechapel, Greater London
Side return extension in Whitechapel
Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. We design, get the approvals for and build side return extensions in Whitechapel and the surrounding area, with one contract from the first survey to building control sign-off.
We cover Whitechapel (E1, E1W and EC2A) as part of our Greater London work. Side returns suit the Victorian and Edwardian terraces found across parts of Greater London, 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 Whitechapel?
In Whitechapel, our guide for a side return extension is £2,990–£4,940 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. London prices sit at the top of our range because of labour rates, access through the house, parking suspensions and skip licences.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²) | £36,000–£59,500 |
| 2.5 m wide × 7 m deep (17.5 m²) | £52,500–£86,500 |
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 Whitechapel?
Planning for a side return extension in Whitechapel follows the English householder rules.
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. At the first visit we measure what is there now and tell you which route fits: permitted development, prior approval or a planning application.
What are homes in Whitechapel like to extend?
Period terraces in Whitechapel sit alongside flats, and the difference matters: houses usually keep permitted development rights, while flats and maisonettes need planning permission for any rear extension.
How a side return extension in Whitechapel 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.
Planning and regulations
We take the design through the right planning route, then produce the construction drawings and engineer's calculations for building control.
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 Whitechapel
We also build side return extensions in nearby Bethnal Green (0.9 miles) and Stepney (1.0 miles).
- Side return extension in Bethnal Green
- Side return extension in Stepney
- Side return extension in Rotherhithe
- Side return extension in Limehouse
- Side return extension in Islington
Other work in Whitechapel:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Whitechapel
Can you match the brick or stone on my Whitechapel house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.
Do I need planning permission for a rear extension in Whitechapel?
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.
Is the site visit in Whitechapel free?
Yes. We visit, measure up and talk through the options with no cost and no obligation.
How long does a rear extension take to build in Whitechapel?
Most single-storey rear extensions take 10 to 16 weeks on site and two-storey extensions 16 to 26 weeks, after design and approvals.
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.