Rear extensions are the bread and butter of UK planning — and one of the most common reasons homeowners face a refusal. Here's what 5,501 real decisions tell us about rear extension outcomes in Bristol.
See your ward's approval rate and nearby planning decisions — free and instant.
Rear extensions sit in the middle of the pack nationally. They're common enough that councils have clear precedent — but that cuts both ways. If your neighbours have been refused, that precedent works against you too.
| # | Ward | Decisions | Approved | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redland | 5 | 5 | 100.0% |
| 2 | Westbury-on-Trym & Henleaze | 9 | 8 | 88.9% |
| 3 | Southville | 5 | 4 | 80.0% |
A rear extension has a 100.0% approval rate in Redland but just 80.0% in Southville.
Check your postcode to see what actually happens near your address.
Not all applications are treated equally. Here's how rear extensions stack up against other common projects in Bristol.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Wraparound Extension | 421 | 94.1% |
| Conservatory | 554 | 92.6% |
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 645 | 91.3% |
| Rear Extension | 5,501 | 90.9% |
| Dormer | 2,553 | 90.8% |
| Basement | 608 | 90.1% |
| Outbuilding | 803 | 88.7% |
| Loft Conversion | 2,661 | 88.6% |
| Extension (General) | 1,944 | 88.3% |
| Side Extension | 2,247 | 88.1% |
| Garage / Parking | 2,892 | 84.9% |
| Front Extension | 189 | 81.5% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 1,755 | 80.0% |
| Annex | 289 | 77.2% |
| HMO | 805 | 75.7% |
| Flat Conversion | 240 | 72.9% |
| New Build | 711 | 72.7% |
501 rear extension applications in Bristol have been refused since 2020. Many of those homeowners had already paid for drawings and application fees. A £79 report shows you what gets approved — and what gets refused — near your property.
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