Make the Most of Your Side Space
Many homes in Milton Keynes have unused space along one side of the property — a narrow side return, an underused driveway, or simply dead space between the house and the boundary. A single storey side extension transforms that wasted area into valuable, usable living space.
Spectra Extensions builds single storey side extensions that integrate seamlessly with your existing property. Our premium brick slip finishes match your brickwork so closely that the extension looks like it was part of the original house. Built in just 4-5 weeks using RADIX screw pile foundations, with minimal disruption to your daily routine.
What Can You Use a Side Extension For?
A side extension is incredibly versatile. Because it sits alongside your existing property rather than projecting into the garden, you keep your outdoor space while gaining significant floor area indoors. Here are some of the most popular uses:
Utility Rooms
Move the washing machine, tumble dryer, and laundry out of the kitchen. A dedicated utility room keeps your main living space clutter-free and adds real functionality to your home.
Home Offices
Working from home is here to stay. A side extension gives you a proper, separate workspace away from the main living areas — no more working from the kitchen table.
Extra Reception Rooms
Add a snug, playroom, or second living room. Particularly valuable for families who want adult and children's spaces, or for creating a quiet room away from the main hub.
Wider Kitchen
Extending to the side can widen a narrow kitchen, giving you room for extra worktops, a breakfast bar, or better circulation. Often combined with a rear extension for maximum impact.
Which Properties Suit a Side Extension?
Side extensions work particularly well on certain property types found throughout Milton Keynes:
Semi-Detached Houses
The most common candidate for a side extension. Semi-detached homes typically have space on one side that's underused. A side extension can add 10-15 square metres of floor space without touching the garden, and many semi-detached layouts in Milton Keynes have wide enough plots to accommodate a generous extension.
Detached Houses
Detached properties often have even more flexibility. You may be able to extend on either side, and with no adjoining neighbour, the design options are broader. Side extensions on detached homes can also serve as a connection between the main house and a garage, creating a covered walkway or additional room.
End-of-Terrace Houses
If you're at the end of a terrace, you'll have side space that your mid-terrace neighbours don't. This is an excellent opportunity to add floor area while staying within permitted development limits.
Access and Permitted Development
One practical consideration with side extensions is access. If the space you're building on is also your only route to the rear garden, we'll need to plan around that. In many cases, a gate or side access can be maintained alongside the extension, or rear access through the house works perfectly.
Permitted Development Rules for Side Extensions
Under current rules, single storey side extensions must:
- Width — be no more than half the width of the original house
- Height — not exceed 4 metres in height
- Boundary — maintain at least 1 metre from the boundary on the side where the extension is built (if within 2 metres of a boundary, eaves height is limited to 3 metres)
- Materials — use materials of similar appearance to the existing house
We handle the details. During your free site visit, we assess your property against all permitted development criteria and advise you on exactly what's achievable. If your project falls outside PD, we can still help — we just need to factor in a planning application.
The Spectra Advantage for Side Extensions
Side extensions present unique construction challenges. The space is often narrow, access can be tight, and the join between old and new needs to be particularly clean because the extension sits right alongside your existing wall, in full view from the front of the house.
This is where Spectra's technology really shines:
Minimal Disruption in Tight Spaces
RADIX screw piles are installed with compact equipment that fits into narrow side access. No excavators churning up your drive, no skip blocking the road for weeks. Foundations go in cleanly and quickly, even in confined areas.
Seamless Front-Facing Finish
Because a side extension is visible from the street, the finish matters even more than usual. Our premium brick slips achieve a 98% match with your existing brickwork, including mortar colour and joint profile. The result is an extension that looks like it was built with the original house.
Precision Engineering
Every side extension is individually engineered to connect with your existing structure. Our structural engineers design the connection points, lintels, and load paths to ensure everything integrates perfectly — structurally and visually.
5-6 Weeks, Start to Finish
A typical Spectra side extension is completed in 4-5 weeks. That's significantly less time with builders on your property, less noise, less mess, and less disruption to your neighbours.
Side Extension Costs
As with all our extensions, costs are bespoke and depend on size, specification, and complexity. As a planning guide, budget from £2,200 + VAT per square metre. We provide a fixed price guarantee — the price we quote is the price you pay, with no hidden extras.
We always provide a free initial estimate after visiting your property, followed by detailed drawings and a fixed, confirmed price. No hidden costs. Visit our prices page for full details.