House Extensions, Renovations & Office Refurbishment in Chesterfield

Extending a house in Chesterfield

Planning in the town goes to Chesterfield Borough Council, and building regulations are handled by the Derbyshire Building Control Partnership. We build two-storey and single-storey extensions here, along with full renovations of older houses.

Most two-storey extensions need a planning application: permitted development only covers a two-storey rear extension up to 3 metres deep and at least 7 metres from the back boundary. The council looks at how close the extension comes to the boundary and whether it overshadows next door. A single-storey rear extension can often go ahead without one: 3 metres on a semi or terrace, 4 on a detached house, or up to 6 and 8 metres if the council grants prior approval.

Old workings under the town

Chesterfield sits on an old coalfield. In its evidence to the council’s local plan, the Coal Authority counted around 2,301 recorded mine entries in the borough, and warned that shallow coal can cause problems with ground stability and gas. The town centre falls in its development high-risk area.

• Before design We pull the mining report for your address before the foundations are drawn, so any shaft, adit or shallow working nearby is known about at the quoting stage.
• Radon Most of the town has a low radon potential, up to 1 to 3 per cent, but some squares around Newbold reach 5 to 10 per cent, where a new floor may need a radon barrier.
• Flooding The Environment Agency issues flood warnings for the River Hipper around Lordmill Street and Markham Road, and for the Rother around Spital Lane and Hasland Road.

Office and commercial refurbishment in Chesterfield

Alongside homes, we refurbish offices, salons and other commercial premises in Chesterfield, including fit-outs for landlords and tenants. Work is phased around your opening hours, or done outside them, so the business keeps running while the space changes. A fit-out can take in partitions, suspended ceilings and lighting, flooring, electrics and data, heating and joinery.

Some of the town’s offices are in the older buildings of the Town Centre conservation area, which takes in streets such as Saltergate, Glumangate and Holywell Street. An Article 4 direction there means even repainting the outside of a building needs planning permission, so we check before any exterior work is priced. See our commercial and office refurbishment page for more.

Conservation areas and Victorian villas

The borough has twelve conservation areas. The one that most affects home extensions is Abercrombie Street, laid out from the 1840s with Victorian villas and terraces, where an Article 4 direction covers many of the houses and removes the usual rights to extend, alter the roof, add a porch or repaint the outside. Elsewhere, including Chatsworth Road, Queens Park and Somersall, side extensions need permission and materials are watched more closely.

• From £27,500 Velux loft conversion
• £25,000–£60,000 Single-storey extension
• £55,000–£85,000 Dormer loft conversion
• £8,000–£15,000 Garage conversion

Two-storey extensions and commercial refits are priced to the drawings. We also take on kitchen and bathroom renovations and complete home renovations, with finance available on home projects, subject to status.

Chesterfield questions

Does a two-storey extension in Chesterfield need planning permission?

Yes. Almost always. Permitted development only covers a two-storey rear extension up to 3 metres deep and at least 7 metres from the back boundary, so most need an application to Chesterfield Borough Council. We prepare the drawings and the application, and adjust the design if the council has concerns about neighbours or the street.

Is my house affected by old mine workings?

It may be. The Coal Authority records around 2,301 mine entries across the borough, and the town centre is in its development high-risk area. The mining report for your address tells us what's nearby before the foundations are designed.

What does the Abercrombie Street Article 4 direction cover?

It removes the usual permitted development rights for the properties it names on Abercrombie Street, Newbold Road, Sheffield Road and Victoria Street, so extending, altering the roof, adding a porch, putting up gates or fences and even repainting the outside all need planning permission.

Can you refurbish an office while we keep working?

Yes. We phase the work by area or carry it out in the evenings and at weekends, so your staff can keep working. We agree the programme with you before we start.

Which parts of Chesterfield do you cover?

The whole town, including Brampton, Newbold, Hasland, Walton, Whittington Moor, Old Whittington, Loundsley Green, Spital, Boythorpe and Tapton.