Extensions in Chester-le-Street: design, planning and build

Approvals for an extension in Chester-le-Street

In England a single-storey rear extension can usually go up to 3 m beyond the original rear wall of a semi-detached or terraced house, or 4 m on a detached house, without a planning application, provided it is no more than 4 m high, keeps eaves to 3 m within 2 m of a boundary and, with other buildings, covers no more than half the land around the original house. The larger home extension prior approval scheme raises those depths to 6 m and 8 m, with neighbours notified and a 42-day decision.

In England a single-storey side extension can be permitted development if it is no more than 4 m high and no wider than half the width of the original house. Two-storey side extensions, and any side extension on designated land such as a conservation area, need a householder planning application.

In a conservation area, national park, National Landscape, the Broads or a World Heritage Site the permitted development limits are tighter (no side or two-storey extensions without an application). Listed homes need listed building consent, and if permitted development rights have been removed, any extension needs an application.

If the work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 m (sometimes 6 m) of a neighbour's building, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notice must be served before work starts: two months for work to a party wall, one month for new walls on the boundary and for excavations.

Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).

Areas we cover around Chester-le-Street

Our survey diary covers Chester-le-Street, including DH2, DH3. Neighbouring towns we cover include Stanley (5 miles), Durham (6 miles), Seaham (9 miles), Consett (10 miles), Peterlee (12 miles). Washington, in Tyne and Wear, is roughly 4 miles from Chester-le-Street and also on our list.

• Stanley
• Durham
• Seaham
• Consett
• Peterlee

Chester-le-Street extension prices at a glance

Use these Chester-le-Street guide prices to sense-check a budget; the guide-price tool narrows them to your own size, and the site visit turns them into a written figure.

Which extension suits a Chester-le-Street home?

The North East has many brick terraces, colliery-era housing and post-war semis, with rear extensions and kitchen extensions the most common requests.

Depending on the plot, utility and boot room extensions and double-storey extensions are often the strongest options, with single-storey rear extensions worth considering where there is room.