Double-storey extensions in Malvern

Planning your two-storey extension in Malvern

Planning permission from Malvern Hills District Council is the first hurdle for most double-storey extensions in Malvern. Householder applications have an eight-week target for a decision, and Building Regulations approval and the Party Wall Act may also apply.

Scaffolding is usually up for most of the build, so think about access along the side of the house early.
Party wall notices take one or two months to run, so they're best served as soon as planning is granted.
New first-floor bedrooms normally need an escape window with at least 0.33 m² of clear openable area.

Postcode district: WR14
Planning and building control: Malvern Hills District Council
From our West Bromwich base: 31 miles

Which option fits your home?

Mixed-height extension

A two-storey section at the side with a single-storey section running across the back. This keeps the first floor away from neighbours' windows while still giving a wide kitchen-diner below. It's a practical compromise where planners have concerns about a full-depth two-storey rear extension, and it often simplifies the roof.

Two-storey side extension

Built over the side of the house, often where a driveway or old garage sits. It can create a garage, utility or study downstairs with a double bedroom above. Councils often expect the upper floor to be set back from the front and the roof to sit lower than the main ridge, so the design needs care to win approval.

Guide prices for Malvern

Expect to budget between £52,000 and £135,000 depending on size and specification in Malvern. A two-storey side extension on a three-bed semi, about 32 m² over two floors: typically £68,000–£88,000.

Guide prices for double-storey extensions
Option	Guide price	Good to know
Compact two-storey rear (20–28 m² total)	£52,000 – £72,000	Bigger kitchen below, bedroom or bathroom above
Two-storey side or rear (30–40 m² total)	£68,000 – £98,000	The usual size on a three-bed semi
Large or combined side and rear (45 m²+)	£95,000 – £135,000	More steel, a complex roof and a longer programme

Guide ranges include VAT where it applies. Access, parking and the state of what's there now can move the price — the survey settles it.

Your questions answered

Is a double-storey extension better value than a single-storey one?

Per square metre, usually yes. Foundations and roofs are the expensive parts of any extension, and on a two-storey build they serve twice the floor area. You'll pay more in total and planning is less certain, but if you need a bedroom as well as downstairs space, building both together normally costs less than two separate projects years apart.

How do I book a survey in Malvern?

Send the form on this page, use the guide-price tool or call 0800 088 6248 free. We'll ask a few questions about your two-storey extension and arrange a time to visit.

What will the council look at when deciding planning?

Councils judge two-storey extensions mainly on their effect on neighbours and the street. They look at loss of light and outlook next door, overlooking from upstairs windows, and whether the extension sits comfortably with the house, often expecting side extensions to be set back and lower than the main roof. Many councils publish householder design guides, and following yours closely improves the chance of approval.

Will I need permission from the council in Malvern?

Usually both. Most two-storey extensions need a planning application to Malvern Hills District Council, and the structural work needs Building Regulations approval from its building control team or a registered building control approver.

Nearby places we cover

More services in Malvern

Let's talk about the space you need; a written, itemised quote for your Malvern home costs nothing and commits you to nothing.