If you walk through the residential streets of Totnes—from the Victorian terraces near the station to the characterful homes off the High Street—you’ll notice a growing trend. More and more homeowners are opting for “side-return” extensions. In a town where garden space is precious and property prices reflect its popularity, filling in that narrow, underused alleyway to the side of the house has become the smartest way to transform a home.
Hi, I’m Steve, the owner of South Devon Construction. I’m Devon born and bred, and I’ve spent over 25 years in the building trade. My business follows traditional values of honesty, integrity, and hard graft. With a Level 7 Diploma in Construction Management and a Level 3 in Quantity Surveying, I help Totnes residents turn “dead space” into high-value living areas. I’ve seen a lot of builds, and I can tell you that a side-return is often the most transformative project a terraced or semi-detached homeowner can undertake.
What is a Side-Return Extension?
Most Victorian and Edwardian homes were built with an “outrigger”—a rear section that is narrower than the main house, leaving a small strip of land to the side. A side-return extension simply “infills” this gap. While the extra width might only be a few feet, the impact on the internal layout is immense. It allows you to square off the back of your house, turning a narrow galley kitchen into a vast, open-plan family room.
Why is it Trending in Totnes for 2025?
Totnes has always been a hub for innovation and style, and the current trends for 2025 are leaning heavily toward light and connection.
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Frameless Glazing: Homeowners are opting for glass-box designs or frameless glass roofs. This floods the previously dark middle of the house with natural light, a game-changer for narrow Devon homes.
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Indoor-Outdoor Flow: By using Crittall-style doors or large bi-folds, we can merge your new kitchen-diner with the garden, making a small outdoor space feel like a part of the interior.
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Sustainable Materials: In keeping with Totnes’ eco-conscious values, we’re seeing a rise in the use of high-performance insulation and sustainable timber frames.
The ROI: Adding Value Without Losing Your Garden
As someone with a background in Cost Estimation, I’m often asked about the Return on Investment (ROI). In high-demand areas like Totnes and Dartington, a side-return can add between 10% and 20% to your property’s value.
Because you are building on land that is usually just a place for bins or bikes, you don’t lose your lawn or patio like you would with a full rear extension. It is a “win-win” for your lifestyle and your property’s equity.
Navigating the Practicalities: Party Walls and Planning
A side-return usually involves building right up to your neighbor’s boundary. At South Devon Construction, we pride ourselves on a seamless and stress-free construction experience. As your Principle Contractors, we manage the technicalities:
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Party Wall Agreements: Ensuring your neighbors are protected and informed.
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Structural Steel: Installing the RSJs (steel beams) required to open up the original wall safely.
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Permitted Development: Many side-returns fall under Permitted Development, meaning you might not need full planning permission, though we always recommend a Lawful Development Certificate.
Quality and Customer Satisfaction
We cover a 10-mile radius from Newton Abbot, and we love the unique challenges of Totnes architecture. Whether it’s handling the groundworks in a tight space or ensuring the new masonry work matches the historic character of your street, our team of local professional tradesmen treats every build as unique. We strive to exceed expectations by combining “hard graft” with professional management.
Is your galley kitchen feeling a bit cramped?
I’d love to visit your home in Totnes to show you exactly how much space you could gain from a side-return. I’ll provide an honest assessment and a transparent quote based on 25 years of experience.
Would you like me to come over and do a quick “site feasibility check” to see if your side-alley is suitable for a modern infill extension?