Side Return Extension in NW London

Select Your Area

We provide side return extension across NW London's premier neighbourhoods. Each area has specific planning rules and property characteristics — select yours for tailored information.

How It Works

1. 1

   Side Return Survey and Measurement

   We measure the side return width, passage length, and the width of the existing kitchen and dining rooms to calculate the gain from infill. We check for underground drainage, existing outbuildings that may need demolition, and confirm the position of the gas meter, external tap, and downpipes that will need to be relocated.

2. 2

   Planning Assessment

   Side return extensions are visible from the street on corner plots or mid-terrace properties with open side alleys. In conservation areas and Article 4 zones, planning permission is required. Where PD rights exist we apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. The roof form — typically a lean-to or flat roof with a rooflight run — is a key design consideration in conservation areas.

3. 3

   Architectural Design and Structural Engineering

   An architect designs the extension to maximise the internal floor plate, typically combining the side return with the existing kitchen footprint to create a single large room. Structural engineers design the new steel frame, party wall ties, and the supporting structure for the glazed rooflight run that will bring light into the new space.

Select an area above to see the complete 8-step process with area-specific planning guidance.