Side extensions in Witney: design, approvals and build
If you live in Witney and want more space without moving, a side extension is one of the most practical ways to get it. We handle the drawings, approvals and the build.
- Guide price in WitneyFrom £24,500 inc VAT
- PlanningSingle storey can be permitted development
- Build time10–18 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsOX8, OX28, OX29
Do I need planning permission in Witney?
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.
Homes in conservation areas, national parks, National Landscapes (formerly AONBs), the Broads and World Heritage Sites have tighter rules, so we always check the property's status and planning history before design starts.
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.
Building over or within 3 m of a public sewer needs the water company's consent, usually through a build-over agreement, before the foundations go in.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
Who a side extension suits
- Detached and semi-detached houses with side land
- Homes needing a utility, study or ground-floor bedroom
- Houses where the rear garden is small
Councils often prefer side extensions to sit slightly back from the front of the house with a lower roof, so the original building still reads clearly. We design to those principles from the start to avoid redesigns.
Extensions in and around Witney
Our survey diary covers Witney, including OX8, OX28, OX29. Nearby, we also take on projects in Carterton (5 miles), Oxford (10 miles), Abingdon (12 miles), Wantage (13 miles).
Just over the Wiltshire border, Swindon is about 20 miles away. Homes across the South East range from Victorian terraces in the older town centres to large detached houses on the edges, so the right extension type varies street by street.
Side extension prices in Witney
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Witney we use our South East England factor (×1.12). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Witney: £1,960 to £3,810 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 m × 5 m 12 m² | £24,500 – £30,000 | £27,500 – £36,000 | £34,500 – £46,000 |
| 3 m × 6 m 18 m² | £35,000 – £42,500 | £41,000 – £53,500 | £52,000 – £69,000 |
| 3 m × 8 m 24 m² | £47,000 – £56,500 | £55,000 – £71,500 | £69,500 – £91,500 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Our process, step by step
Site visits are free and there is no obligation. Where drawings are needed, the design stage is priced in writing before it starts.
Free site visit
We visit your Witney home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
Design and approvals
We produce the drawings and structural design, and manage the approvals so they are in place before work starts.
Fixed written price
We confirm the build price in writing, based on the approved drawings and the finishes you have chosen.
Build and sign-off
We build it with one project manager, book the building control inspections and hand over the completion certificate.
Common questions in Witney
How long does a side extension take to build in Witney?
On site, typically 10 to 18 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 6–14 weeks design and approvals.
Do you cover all of Witney?
Yes. We cover Witney and the surrounding parts of Oxfordshire. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Will my neighbours in Witney be involved?
If a planning application or prior approval is needed, the council notifies neighbours. If the work is on or near a shared boundary, party wall notices may also be needed.
How close to the boundary can I build?
It depends on height. In England, within 2 m of a boundary the eaves must not exceed 3 m under permitted development. Building on the boundary is possible but brings party wall and maintenance access issues we plan for.
Can I build a side extension without planning permission?
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 planning application.
Book a free site visit in Witney
We will measure up, check the planning position and give you honest guide figures.
- Free, no-obligation site visit
- Planning route checked before you spend on drawings
- Written price once the design is agreed
- Building control sign-off at the end
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6341 or .
Book a free site visit
Tell us a little about the project and we will arrange a time.