Kitchen side return extensions in London are a very common option to add space to semi-detached and end-of-terrace properties.
Kitchen Side Return Extension
A side return is the small strip of land next to a property’s ground floor. Bins, bicycles, and outdoor gear are frequently dumped there.
Although it would seem like you will gain a few extra feet inside a property when looking at it from the outside, this can significantly impact the interior arrangement and the feeling of space in a house. If the design is done well, you should be able to live in a larger, more useful living area that is also brighter. An architect can guide you on maximising your kitchen’s limited area.
It can mean the difference between a small, cramped kitchen and one with room for a table where guests can gather in a smaller home. On a larger property, a seating space, casual dining area, and kitchen island could be feasible. Thus, they can relieve a lot of the strain on the current living area for a growing family.
Why Choose Kitchen Side Return Extensions?
Customised Layout
Building a side return could be a way to redesign the living area and make it more useful. An architect can offer fresh, creative ideas about how to use the area. Although there are no hard and fast rules, a good architect will provide guidance, and a lot depends on the client’s lifestyle. In a typical home, a side addition is a little addition that can provide valuable additional space, like a utility room that can handle some of the tasks often performed in the kitchen.
Larger Space
Considering the amount of internal space that will remain after you merely fill in the side return is crucial. It could result in a long, narrow space that seems very claustrophobic. Think about tearing down walls to make a larger, more functional area. Victorian and Edwardian homes have some side returns that run along the living room and kitchen, so if you want to go open plan, you can knock through to create a single, large, modern space. You will need to consult a structural engineer for help on installing steel support beams and new build architects in London for the finest design guidance because a side return addition typically necessitates knocking through walls.
Maximum Natural Light
One of this kind of addition’s main advantages is that it can make your house lighter. Think about adding light from above. If you construct a brick expansion that is only one storey high, a set of skylights is a fantastic method to add brightness to your home. An all-glass roof over the extension is an additional choice. Remember the practicalities, though.
Outside View
Installing floor-to-ceiling windows in the back wall of an extension can add additional light to your house. Depending on the available space, they could be fixed, sliding, or bi-folding patio doors. Floor-to-ceiling windows enhance the connection with the garden by obfuscating the distinction between indoor and outdoor space. Planning the glazing components of your project is a smart idea.
Planning Permission Requirements for Kitchen Side Return Extensions in London
With proper design, you might not require planning permission because the restrictions governing minor extensions have been relaxed. If your project falls under “Permitted Development” rights, you can find out via your local council’s planning department or a design expert. However, you will still have to abide by the Building Regulations.
Party Wall Agreement & Kitchen Side Return Extensions
One significant law pertinent to your side’s return extension is the Party Wall Act of 1996. It offers a structure for avoiding and settling conflicts involving party walls, boundary walls, and excavations close to nearby structures. After a casual conversation with your neighbours, you can ask them to sign and return the Party Wall Notice if they are okay with the work. You will need a surveyor or to retreat from the boundary if you cannot agree.
A Party Wall Agreement or award is usually required if you excavate foundations within a few metres of a neighbouring property. This records the building’s current state and your neighbour’s consent to the work. In order to ensure that you have done everything correctly in the event of a disagreement, a party wall surveyor should be involved very early on before digging.
Conclusion
That unsightly, dim alley at the rear of a terrace could be turned into a useful living area that suits your needs with a kitchen side return extension. With good reason, side return expansions are among the most popular residential construction projects. They provide a fantastic method to expand the footprint of semi-detached and terraced homes without taking up valuable garden areas. However, the design of a side return extension must be carefully considered when dealing with narrow side returns (and hence restricted access).
