Anyone extended to the front?

[Ohanarama]

I would love a bigger kitchen and have put off replacing the units in our kitchen because of this. We could extend to the side but only by about 1m outwards which would be a lot of hassle for little benefit.

I'm also considering extending at the side but also out the front to a depth of about 2m. This would make the kitchen much larger with island potential!
What worries me is that an extension to the front would totally change the look of the house and may totally ruin it! I'm also concerned that we may not be able to match bricks etc. Has anyone done this and got any advice please?

We aren't allowed to extend beyond our current front house wall, but that may be because we're in a row of semis. May be different if you're detached.

I think most Council's now have a policy of not allowing extensions to the front - e.g. not over the front line of your house.
A side extension will need Planning and you'll need to consider how close to the boundary you are going to go.
From watching lots of Sarah Beeny, matching in bricks doesn't seem to be a problem these days.

We haven't but the previous owners of our house did so (6 years ago??). But the houses are all very different so it didn't ruin the look of the road or really affect anyone.

Like pp said, I think it depends on whether your house is in it ow. Land or attacked to others. I'm having the same thoughts at the moment but am still in pondering stage. I'm considering changing a flat faced double fronted cottage and increasing it by extending to the front with a double extension (with possibilities of a small roof space conversion in the new but IYSWIM). Again, am worried about the stone used (think old welsh stone) but Sara Beenie is inspiring!

I noticed that our deeds didn't allow it but I don't know if this is legally binding. But planning departments aren't usually keen

Terrible typing sorry

We extended to the front and looks wise it was a huge improvement. I can't remember how far we went out, but it was enough to turn the kitchen into a kitchen diner, add a study and turn the downstairs loo in to a shower room. Best thing we ever did.

firesidechat, I'm curious to know what your house looked like before and after!

We don't live there any more, so I can't show you before and after, but it looked a bit like this before:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-24012517.html

Only in better condition and without the leaded windows.

Then something like this:

www.edenwood-building-services.co.uk/house-extensions.html#assets/images/extensions/house4.jpg

Only it came further out and the roofline was at 90 degrees to the main house. It was so much more attractive.

Hope those links work.

I think it would depend on your property and your council's planning department's views. I'm in a terrace and there's many properties in the street that have extended to the front and back, but the layout of the street is a bit unusual, anyhow - the houses across the road have their "front" doors at the back, for instance (which causes no end of fun with deliveries). Numerous houses on that side have extended to both the garden side (back, but road facing) and the yard side (front, but back lane facing!) Extensions on our side of the road are mostly to the back back, but a few have extended out a few feet.

If you're concerned about matching bricks, find out if your council would allow a contrasting finish, such as render or wooden cladding.