The Brief
A family of five in Andover were outgrowing their three-bedroom detached home. With three children sharing two bedrooms and a kitchen too small for family meals, they faced a choice: move house or extend. With Andover property prices rising and the family settled in a great school catchment, extending made clear financial and practical sense.
They needed two additional bedrooms, a larger family bathroom, and a proper open-plan kitchen-diner on the ground floor. The generous side garden provided an excellent opportunity for a substantial two-storey extension.
Our Design Approach
We designed a 55m² two-storey side and rear extension — one of our larger residential projects. The ground floor combines a side extension housing a utility room and WC with a rear extension creating a spacious open-plan kitchen-diner with bi-fold doors to the garden. Upstairs, two new bedrooms and a family bathroom are accessed from an extended landing.
The design uses matching brickwork and roof tiles to create a seamless addition that looks as though it has always been part of the property. The ridge height is set below the main roof to maintain the subordinate relationship that Test Valley Borough Council expects.
Planning and Approvals
This project required full planning permission due to its two-storey nature and side extension element. We prepared comprehensive drawings including site plans, floor plans, all elevations and sections. The application was supported by a design statement addressing Test Valley's local plan policies. Planning permission was granted in 7 weeks — ahead of the standard 8-week target.
Key Design Features
- Two additional bedrooms: Both doubles with built-in wardrobes, increasing the property to five bedrooms
- Family bathroom: Full-size bath, separate shower enclosure, twin basins — designed for a busy family morning
- Open-plan kitchen-diner: 28m² ground floor space with island, dining area and garden access
- Utility room: Separate space for washing machine, dryer and storage — keeping the kitchen clutter-free
- Matching materials: Brick and tile selected to perfectly match the existing 1990s property
The Result
The transformation is remarkable. From a cramped three-bedroom house, this Andover family now has a spacious five-bedroom home with all the room they need. Each child has their own bedroom, the morning bathroom rush is manageable with the new family bathroom, and the open-plan kitchen-diner has become the room where the family spend most of their time together.
The project has added an estimated £80,000-£95,000 to the property value — transforming a three-bedroom house into a five-bedroom family home in one of Andover's sought-after residential areas.
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