Rochford and Hadleigh sit either side of Southend, and both are full of homes that suit a kitchen extension. Rochford has Victorian and Edwardian cottages around its old market square, 1930s semis and newer family estates. Hadleigh, above the estuary and Hadleigh Castle, is mostly 1930s and post-war semis and bungalows with long gardens. We design and build kitchen and kitchen-diner extensions in both, and kitchen extensions are all we do.
Kitchen extensions for Rochford and Hadleigh homes
Across the two towns we most often see:
- Side returns and rear extensions on period cottages near Rochford town centre, where a small kitchen at the back becomes a proper kitchen-diner. See our side-return guide.
- Rear kitchen-diners on 1930s and post-war semis in Hadleigh and Rochford, opening the kitchen and dining room into one room onto the garden. See our rear extension guide.
- Open-plan extensions on newer family homes, knocking through and extending to make one sociable family room. See our open-plan kitchen-diner guide.
Kitchen extension costs in Rochford and Hadleigh
A typical single-storey kitchen extension here costs roughly £41,000 to £76,000 to build, depending on size, type and finish, with the kitchen itself on top. A compact side return on a cottage can come in lower, and a large open-plan or glass extension higher. For a guide price for your own home, use the 60-second estimator, and see our full cost guide for what drives the price.
Planning permission in Rochford and Hadleigh
The two towns have different councils. Rochford is in Rochford District Council’s area, and Hadleigh is in Castle Point Borough Council’s. In both, many single-storey rear extensions can go ahead under permitted development or the prior approval process. The Rochford conservation area covers the historic centre around the Market Square, where permitted development is more limited. In Hadleigh, the Florence Gardens conservation area has an Article 4 direction that brings smaller changes under planning control too. Some of Rochford’s newer estates were also approved with permitted development rights removed. We check your address and advise on the right route at the free consultation, and we arrange the drawings with an architect we recommend, then handle the applications and building control. Our planning guide explains the rules in full.
Cottages and party walls. Rochford’s period cottages are often terraced, so a side return or rear extension is built along a shared wall and the Party Wall Act will usually apply. Serving notice early keeps your start date on track.
Areas we cover in Rochford and Hadleigh
We work across Rochford (SS4), including the town centre, Ashingdon Road and out towards Stambridge and Great Wakering, and across Hadleigh (SS7), including the areas around the London Road and Hadleigh Castle. Nearby we build in Southend-on-Sea, Hockley, Rayleigh, Leigh-on-Sea and Benfleet, and across the rest of South Essex.
Rochford and Hadleigh kitchen extension questions
Do I need planning permission for a kitchen extension in Rochford or Hadleigh?
Often not. Single-storey rear extensions up to 3 metres on a semi or terrace, or 4 metres on a detached house, are usually permitted development, and larger ones can often use prior approval. Conservation areas, flats and most side extensions need a planning application: to Rochford District Council for Rochford, or Castle Point Borough Council for Hadleigh.
Can I extend a cottage in Rochford’s conservation area?
Yes, but it needs planning permission and a design that respects the old town: matching brick, a suitable roof and well-proportioned windows. Rear extensions that cannot be seen from the street are usually the most straightforward.
Do you cover both Rochford and Hadleigh?
Yes, along with the rest of the surrounding South Essex towns. Pop your postcode into the estimator to confirm.
How much does a kitchen extension cost in Rochford or Hadleigh?
Most come in between about £41,000 and £76,000 for the build, plus the kitchen. Size, glazing, the roof and the ground make the biggest difference. The estimator gives you a range for your home in about a minute.
