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House extensions in the Cotswolds
Short answer
Much of the Cotswolds is designated land, where the permitted development rules for extensions are tighter. A side extension or a two-storey rear extension needs planning permission there. Every extension needs building regulations approval. This page explains the job and the rules, and lists Cotswold builders who build extensions.
Firms found on a trade register first, then A to Z.
| Firm | Based in | Does | Checks | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onyx Build LtdLtd company 14498978 | Witney OX28 Covers Witney |
Extensions, Renovations, New builds, Loft conversions, +2 | 01993 670004Website | |
| A. Bartlett General Building LtdLtd company 04980002 | Witney OX28 Covers Witney |
Extensions, New builds, Loft conversions, Kitchens and bathrooms, +1 | 07812 639413Website | |
| Barron's Building ServicesLtd company 13276767 | Minchinhampton GL6 Covers Cirencester, Stroud, Witney +7 |
Cotswold stonework, Dry stone walling, New builds, Extensions | 01453 882411Website | |
| C D B Building Services LtdLtd company 05875241 | Tetbury GL8 Covers Tetbury |
Extensions, Garage conversions, New builds, Renovations | 07833 384991 | |
| Cotswold Construction Specialists LtdLtd company 13394489 | Cirencester GL7 Covers Cirencester |
Extensions, Renovations, Kitchens and bathrooms, Groundworks | 07977 939283 | |
| Cotswold Hare Building, Renovations and Carpentry Ltd | Cirencester GL7 Covers Cirencester |
Renovations, Structural repairs, Extensions, Garage conversions, +1 | 07545 503684 | |
| Cotswold Property LimitedLtd company 10705551 | Lechlade GL7 Covers Fairford and Lechlade |
Renovations, Extensions, Loft conversions, Garage conversions | 01451 509380 | |
| Elliott Brothers (Carpentry & Building) LimitedLtd company 07580047 | Tetbury GL8 Covers Tetbury |
Extensions, Loft conversions, New builds, Kitchens and bathrooms | 07786 085928 | |
| Fairway Building Services LimitedLtd company 04850008 | Chipping Norton OX7 Covers Chipping Norton |
Extensions, Loft conversions, New builds, Kitchens and bathrooms | 01608 646662 | |
| K.J.S. Construction LimitedLtd company 04511049 | Minchinhampton GL6 Covers Nailsworth |
Renovations, Extensions, Cotswold stonework, Groundworks | 01453 889658Website | |
| M G Bennett LimitedLtd company 06136404 | Witney OX28 Covers Witney |
Extensions, Listed buildings | 01993 775102 | |
| Monk Building Contractors LtdLtd company 07468045 | Cirencester GL7 Covers Cirencester |
Renovations, Listed buildings, Extensions, Structural repairs, +1 | 07721 429472 | |
| PT Construction (Cotswolds) LtdLtd company 10800029 | Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 Covers Moreton-in-Marsh |
Extensions, Loft conversions, Garage conversions, New builds, +1 | 07475 438938 | |
| Pyments Of Campden LimitedLtd company 01448950 | Chipping Campden GL55 Covers Chipping Campden |
Extensions, New builds, Renovations, Cotswold stonework, +1 | 01386 840233 | |
| Bonner & Milner LtdLtd company 06303033 | Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 Covers Moreton-in-Marsh |
Extensions, Loft conversions, Renovations, Cotswold stonework, +8 | Trading, no register found | 01386 701 261Website |
| Cotswold Building & RoofingLtd company 12550817 | Fairford GL7 Covers Cirencester, Tetbury, Fairford and Lechlade +1 |
New builds, Extensions, Renovations, Cotswold stonework, +3 | Trading, no register found | 07799 350998Website |
| P. L. Allard Building & Roofing LtdLtd company 10700255 | Painswick GL6 Covers Cirencester, Stroud |
Extensions, Loft conversions, Garage conversions, New builds, +10 | Trading, no register found | 01242 383279Website |
No firms match. Clear a filter to see more.
What an extension involves
An extension starts with drawings, then planning and building regulations approval. After that, the builder digs the foundations, builds the walls and puts on the roof.
The builder usually brings in other trades. A roofer covers the roof, an electrician wires the new rooms, and a heating engineer extends the heating.
Planning rules on Cotswold land
The rules are tighter because much of the area is Article 2(3) designated land. This covers National Landscapes, which were called Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and conservation areas.
On this land, the Planning Portal says all side extensions need planning permission. So does a rear extension of more than one storey. The outside walls cannot be clad.
The larger home extension scheme, for rear extensions up to 8 metres, is not available on designated land. A single-storey rear extension can still be permitted development within the normal limits.
An Article 4 direction or a planning condition can remove more rights. Check the council map for your address, and ask the council if you are not sure.
Stone, roofs and matching the house
Under permitted development, the outside materials must look similar to the house. In a conservation area, the council often expects natural Cotswold stone and a matching roof.
Ask each builder where the stone will come from, and ask to see a sample panel before the walls go up. Agree this with the council first if your plans need consent.
A job like this needs a builder, a roofer and an electrician. Our network hub, Cotswolds Trades, has a guide to extensions in a conservation area. The link is in the sources below.
Building regulations
Every new extension needs building regulations approval. This is separate from planning permission, and you may need both.
You can use the council building control team or a registered building control approver. At the end, you should get a completion certificate. Keep it, because you will need it when you sell.
GOV.UK says the person who does the work can be prosecuted and fined if it does not comply. Building control can also make you pay to put faulty work right.
What to ask a builder
Ask each builder the same questions, so you can compare quotes fairly.
- Which extensions have you built near here, and can I see one?
- Who applies for building regulations approval, and who pays the fee?
- Does the price include foundations, drainage, the roof and the finishes?
- Who will do the roof, electrics and heating? Are they your staff or subcontractors?
- What are the payment stages, and is VAT included?
Questions
Do I need planning permission for a rear extension in the Cotswolds?
Not always. A single-storey rear extension can be permitted development, up to 4 metres deep on a detached house and 3 metres on others. A side extension or a taller rear extension needs permission on designated land.
What does a planning application for an extension cost?
The national fee for a householder application in England is £548, from 1 April 2026. Listed building consent has no fee.
Do I need to tell my neighbours?
Sometimes. If you dig foundations near their building or build on the boundary, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 can apply. Read our party wall guide before the builder starts.
Sources
- Planning Portal: Extensions, planning permission
- Planning Portal: Application fees, England, from 1 April 2026 (PDF)
- Cotswold District Council: Conservation area maps
- Cotswold District Council: Get pre-application advice
- GOV.UK: Building regulations approval
- GOV.UK: Building regulations approval, how to apply
- Cotswold District Council: Find out if you need building regulations approval
- GOV.UK: Party walls and building work