Side return extensions for homes in Cirencester
A side return extension in Cirencester starts with the right design and the right approval route. We take care of both, then build it with our own project management.
- Guide price in CirencesterFrom £18,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development; party wall notice usual
- Build time10–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsGL7

Will the council need to approve it?
In England a single-storey side return infill is often permitted development if it stays within the height limits and is no wider than half the width of the original house. Conservation areas, listed buildings and flats always need an application, and the boundary wall usually brings in the Party Wall Act.
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).
How much does a side return extension cost in Cirencester?
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Cirencester we use our South West England factor (×1.02). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Cirencester: £2,140 to £3,880 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 m × 4.5 m 8 m² | £18,000 – £22,000 | £19,500 – £24,500 | £24,000 – £31,500 |
| 2 m × 5.5 m 11 m² | £23,500 – £28,500 | £26,500 – £34,000 | £33,500 – £43,000 |
| 2.2 m × 7 m 15 m² | £32,000 – £38,500 | £36,500 – £46,000 | £45,500 – £58,500 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
Is a side return extension right for your house?
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces with a rear outrigger
- Homes where the garden is too small to lose much depth
- Narrow galley kitchens
Local to Cirencester
Postcode districts we cover around Cirencester include GL7. The same team covers Stroud (10 miles), Cheltenham (13 miles), Gloucester (15 miles), Dursley (17 miles), all within easy reach.
For homes towards Wiltshire, Swindon is around 14 miles away. South West homes range from terraced streets in the cities to stone cottages and bungalows in the countryside, and conservation areas are common in historic centres.
What happens next
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
It starts with a visit to your house to measure, check access and talk through ideas and budget.
Design and approvals
Drawings are prepared and agreed with you, then submitted for the right planning route and building regulations approval.
Fixed written price
You receive a written, itemised price and programme. Nothing starts until you are happy with it.
Build and sign-off
Our team builds the extension, keeps you updated weekly and finishes with building control sign-off.
Your questions about a side return extension in Cirencester
Do I need building regulations approval in Cirencester?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Who do I contract with for a side return extension in Cirencester?
Your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, which designs and manages the project and the build teams who carry it out.
Will my neighbours in Cirencester 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.
Can I combine a side return with a rear extension?
Yes. That combination is a wraparound extension, which adds the most space to a terraced house.
Do side return extensions need planning permission?
In England many single-storey side returns fit within permitted development if they stay within the height limits and are no wider than half the width of the original house. Conservation areas, listed buildings and flats need an application. Other UK nations have their own rules, which we check.
Book a free site visit in Cirencester
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.