Extension plans · New Forest, Dorset
House Extension Plansin New Forest
Extension design pack
Fixed price. 2-3 layout options. 48-hour delivery.
Based in Poole since 2017 · Covering New Forest and the wider Dorset area
Extension types
Whatever your extension, we design it.
Single-storey extension
Rear or side extensions to add a kitchen, dining room, or living space. The most popular option.
Two-storey extension
Double the space with bedrooms above and living space below. Requires planning permission in most cases.
Internal reconfiguration
Move walls, open up rooms, and redesign your existing layout without extending the building footprint.
Cost estimator
Rates for New Forest
6m × 4m = 24m²
Estimated cost in New Forest
Excl. VAT (£11477 – £17480)
Local insight: New Forest properties — especially those inside the National Park — require premium natural materials to comply with NFNPA design guidelines. Expect 10–20% higher build costs than the Dorset average.
Want a professional layout?
Upload your floor plan — 2–3 options in 48hrs
First room £29.99 · Additional rooms £19.99
From £29.99 →How it works
Three steps to your extension plan.
Share your space
Paste a Rightmove link or upload photos with rough measurements. Takes 60 seconds.
Receive your options
We draw 2-3 professional floor plan options and share them through your online portal within 48 hours.
Decide with confidence
Love it? We handle scanning, planning applications, and builder coordination. No obligation.
House Extensions in the New Forest: National Park Expertise
The New Forest presents unique challenges for homeowners planning extensions. Properties within the National Park boundary face significantly tighter planning restrictions than homes elsewhere in Dorset or Hampshire. Outside the park — in towns such as Totton, Marchwood, and Hythe — standard Permitted Development rights apply. Our team understands both planning regimes and designs extensions that work within whatever constraints your property faces.
Properties Within the National Park
The New Forest National Park Authority controls planning within the park boundary. Permitted Development rights are significantly restricted — many types of extension that would be PD elsewhere require full planning permission here. The NPA also applies strict design policies on materials, roof forms, and scale to protect the forest landscape. Our designs for park properties use traditional materials and proportions that align with NPA expectations, avoiding costly redesigns after a planning refusal.
Forest-Edge Towns: Totton, Marchwood, and Hythe
Towns on the edge of the National Park — Totton, Marchwood, Hythe, and Dibden Purlieu — fall under New Forest District Council rather than the National Park Authority. Standard PD rights apply, and extensions are generally straightforward. These towns feature a mix of 1950s-1970s housing on regular plots that are well suited to single-storey and two-storey extensions. We design layouts that maximise your build-able area within PD limits.
Rural Cottages and Smallholdings
Scattered throughout the forest are character cottages, converted farmworkers' dwellings, and smallholdings. Many are individually listed or sit within designated hamlet boundaries. Extensions to these properties require careful design that respects the vernacular character — typically using clay tiles, handmade bricks, and traditional window proportions. We produce heritage-sensitive designs that satisfy the NPA's conservation officers while delivering meaningful extra living space.
Typical properties in New Forest
Forest cottages at Appleslade Bottom near Linwood — cluster of traditional New Forest dwellings
Fig. 2
Holly Hatch Cottage beside Dockens Water — a remote forest keeper's residence in the New Forest
Fig. 3
Planning Permission for Extensions in the New Forest
The New Forest is split between two planning authorities: the New Forest National Park Authority (for properties within the park) and New Forest District Council (for properties outside the park). The planning rules differ significantly between the two, and checking which authority covers your property is the essential first step.
How does the National Park Authority handle extension planning?
The NPA restricts Permitted Development rights more heavily than anywhere else in Dorset. Extensions within the park typically need full planning permission regardless of size. The NPA also applies design policies that require extensions to use locally appropriate materials, maintain traditional roof pitches, and remain subordinate to the original dwelling. Applications are assessed against the New Forest Local Plan and National Park purposes. We design with these policies in mind from the start.
What are the planning rules for extensions outside the National Park?
Properties outside the National Park boundary but within the New Forest District follow standard Permitted Development rules. Single-storey rear extensions up to four metres (semi) or six metres (detached) do not require planning permission. The NFDC processes Householder Planning Applications within eight weeks at a fee of £258. We determine which authority covers your property and advise on the correct planning route before you spend a penny on design.
House Extension Options in the New Forest: Cost & Planning Comparison
| Extension Type | Typical Cost/m² | Planning Required? | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Park extension | £2,000–£3,000 | Planning required (NPA) | 16–24 weeks |
| Outside park (single) | £1,800–£2,500 | Usually PD (NFDC) | 8–12 weeks |
| Outside park (two-storey) | £1,500–£2,200 | Often PD (NFDC) | 12–16 weeks |
| Listed cottage ext. | £2,500–£3,500 | Planning + LBC required | 20–28 weeks |
Costs are indicative for New Forest and vary by specification, site conditions, and builder. Our £250 design pack helps you compare options before committing.
Detailed plans you can build from.
Your extension design pack includes 2-3 professional floor plan options with accurate dimensions, room flow, and layout variations. Drawn by qualified drafters — not AI-generated renders.
- 2-3 layout options included
- Accurate room dimensions
- Share directly with builders
- Planning application ready
Transparent pricing
Every step is fixed-price.
Design Discovery
2-3 floor plan options from photos or Rightmove
3D Laser Scan
Millimetre-accurate measured survey of your home
Lawfulness Certificate
Permitted Development certificate application
Planning Application
Full Householder Planning Application submission
Common questions
Extension plans in New Forest
Areas we cover
Extension plans across Dorset
Also serving nearby: Christchurch, Bournemouth, Salisbury
Ready to start your extension in New Forest?
Get 2-3 professional floor plan options for £250. No obligation, no follow-up calls.
Every plan drawn by qualified drafters · Covering New Forest and the wider Dorset area