Single and Double Storey Extensions in Bow Brickhill

The first thing to understand about building in Bow Brickhill is the ground. The village sits on the sandy ridge that runs through Woburn Sands and the Brickhills, so foundations behave differently from the clay sites that make up most of Milton Keynes, and many plots have a noticeable slope. That is not a problem, but it does mean stepped foundations, retaining structures or split-level designs need to be thought through properly at the design stage. We have built on sloping sites across the area and we survey the levels before anything is drawn.

The housing itself is varied. The older core of the village has brick cottages and period houses, much of it within a conservation area, where extensions need matching materials and careful proportions. Away from the centre, Bow Brickhill has a good number of 1960s and 70s bungalows and detached homes on generous plots with mature gardens, and these extend very well. A rear extension opening the kitchen to the garden, or a bungalow extension that adds a bedroom wing, are the projects we are asked about most.

Because the plots are large, double storey extensions are often realistic here. For families who want to stay in the village rather than move, adding a bedroom and bathroom above a bigger kitchen is frequently the most cost-effective way to get the space they need. The views from the ridge also make glazing worth thinking about carefully, so the new rooms make the most of the position.

Planning on a Sloping Site

Bow Brickhill is within the Milton Keynes City Council area, and most single storey rear and side extensions fall within Permitted Development: 4 metres to the rear for detached houses, 3 metres for semis. Two local factors need checking, though. The conservation area covering the older village restricts some of those rights, and on sloping plots the height of an extension is measured from the highest adjacent ground, which can push a design over the Permitted Development limit sooner than owners expect. We survey the levels and confirm your position at the free initial visit.

Foundations, Levels and Cost

The sandy ridge and the slopes mean ground conditions have a bigger influence on cost here than in most of Milton Keynes. Stepped foundations, retaining walls or a split-level design all add to the budget, and that is why we insist on seeing the site before quoting. The price we then agree is fixed in writing. Our article on Building Control approval explains how foundations are inspected and signed off.

Next Step

Get in touch for a free visit. We will look at the levels and the plot and tell you what is realistic before you commit to anything.