Kensington, Merseyside
Side return extension in Kensington
Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. If you live in Kensington 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.
Kensington is covered from our Merseyside round, including L1, L6 and L7. Side returns suit the Victorian and Edwardian terraces found across parts of Merseyside, 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 Kensington?
In Kensington, our guide for a side return extension is £2,160–£3,570 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. North West prices sit below our West Midlands baseline; access on terraced streets is the main variable.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²) | £26,000–£43,000 |
| 2.5 m wide × 7 m deep (17.5 m²) | £38,000–£62,500 |
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 Kensington?
Here is how the rules in England apply to a side return extension in Kensington.
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 Kensington like to extend?
Kensington has long runs of terraced houses with back yards and alleys, plus 1930s semis further out. Yard extensions on terraces are often single-storey and close to both boundaries.
How a side return extension in Kensington 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.
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 Kensington
Close by, we work in Liverpool, about 1.0 miles away, and Wavertree, about 1.7 miles away.
- Side return extension in Liverpool
- Side return extension in Wavertree
- Side return extension in Old Swan
- Side return extension in Kirkdale
- Side return extension in Dingle
Other work in Kensington:
FAQ
Side return extension questions in Kensington
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 a party wall agreement?
In England, usually yes if the extension is on or near a shared boundary or the foundations are close to a neighbour's building. We serve the notices.
Do I need my neighbour's permission?
Not their permission, but in England and Wales you must serve party wall notices, and a neighbour can consent in writing or ask for a surveyor's award.
What postcode areas do you cover around Kensington?
Including L1, L6 and L7, and the surrounding Merseyside area.
Will I need a structural engineer?
Yes for the beam over the new opening and usually the foundations; we arrange them and their calculations go to building control.
Can you match the brick or stone on my Kensington house?
We source the closest match and show you samples before ordering; reclaimed materials are often the best match on older houses.