Tyne and Wear
Side return extensions in Tyne and Wear
Infilling the narrow passage beside a Victorian or Edwardian back addition. Rear extensions in Tyne and Wear: we cover 18 towns including Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland and South Shields, with design, approvals and the build under one contract.

Side return projects in Newcastle upon Tyne usually start with a drainage survey of the side passage. Terraces and semis are typical around Tyne and Wear. On terraces a single-storey rear extension across the back yard is usually the practical choice; semis often have room for more.
How much does a side return extension cost in Tyne and Wear?
In Tyne and Wear, our guide for a side return extension is £2,070–£3,420 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. North East prices are among the lowest in our range; former mining ground is the main foundation variable.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 2 m wide × 6 m deep (12 m²) | £25,000–£41,000 |
| 2.5 m wide × 7 m deep (17.5 m²) | £36,000–£60,000 |
These are guide ranges; the written quote after the survey is the figure that counts.
Do you need planning permission in Tyne and Wear?
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.
Where in Tyne and Wear do we work?
FAQ
Questions people ask
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.
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.
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 cover all of Tyne and Wear?
We cover 18 towns and districts in Tyne and Wear, including Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland and South Shields.
Who builds the extension?
Vetted building teams working under contract to us; your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.