GS Renovation designs and builds extensions across Dulwich, from side-return infills on narrow SE21 terraces to full wrap-around ground floors and loft-level additions. Working for over 30 years on the borough's bay-fronted Victorian and Edwardian houses, we handle foundations, steelwork, roofing and the full fit-out as a single, accountable project near Dulwich Park.
Side-return and rear extensions in Dulwich
The classic Dulwich extension fills in the side return, that narrow strip of dead space beside the rear closet wing, to widen a cramped kitchen into a proper open-plan kitchen-diner. We combine this with a rear extension to push the whole ground floor back into the garden. The existing rear wall usually comes out on a steel beam, sized by an engineer and signed off by building control, which opens the new space fully to the light.
These are old houses on made-up ground, so we start with proper foundations and groundworks, checking for existing drainage runs and the proximity of the neighbour's boundary. On the terraces around Dulwich Park the plots are tight and the walls are shared, so the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 usually applies where we build up to or astride the boundary. You serve the notices early to keep everything on programme.
Planning and permitted development in SE21
Whether your extension is permitted development or needs a full planning application to Southwark Council depends entirely on your property. Many single-storey rear extensions of a modest size fall under permitted development, while larger footprints, double-storey work, anything facing the street, or any home in a conservation area or that has already used its allowance will need permission from the council. We assess your house honestly before you commit.
Where permission is required we prepare and manage the application, and where the work is permitted development we can help secure a lawful development certificate for peace of mind when you sell. Either route, the structural side still needs building control approval under the Building Regulations, which is separate from planning. We coordinate the drawings and the inspections so the two approvals never trip each other up.
- Insulation, airtightness and thermal detailing to regulations
- Party Wall Act notices for excavation near a neighbour's wall
- Trial holes to set foundation depth near drains and trees
- First fix and second fix plumbing and electrics throughout
- Full fit-out, finishing and making good
The GS Renovation Difference in Dulwich
Dulwich homeowners choose GS Renovation because we run the whole extension, groundworks to final coat, with one team that knows how SE21 terraces behave. We are straight with you about whether the job is permitted development or needs planning from Southwark Council, we coordinate the work around the party wall award, and 30+ years locally means fewer surprises once the foundations are dug.
- Foundation depth set after trial holes, drains and trees are checked
- Scaffolding and site set-up planned for tight London plots
- Clean, tidy and reliable tradespeople
- Insulation and thermal detailing to current regulations
- Neighbours given notice before the noisy stages
- Site left safe and secure at the end of every day