Rear extensions are the bread and butter of UK planning — and one of the most common reasons homeowners face a refusal. Here's what 1,044 real decisions tell us about rear extension outcomes in Cambridge.
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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 | Shelford | 5 | 5 | 100.0% |
Two houses on the same street can get different outcomes.
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Not all applications are treated equally. Here's how rear extensions stack up against other common projects in Cambridge.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 25 | 100.0% |
| Conservatory | 135 | 96.3% |
| Basement | 48 | 95.8% |
| Outbuilding | 344 | 93.3% |
| Rear Extension | 1,044 | 93.1% |
| Dormer | 261 | 93.1% |
| Wraparound Extension | 158 | 93.0% |
| Side Extension | 556 | 91.7% |
| Front Extension | 237 | 91.6% |
| Garage / Parking | 736 | 89.4% |
| Extension (General) | 272 | 89.3% |
| Loft Conversion | 249 | 87.6% |
| Annex | 107 | 86.9% |
| New Build | 221 | 78.7% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 228 | 70.6% |
| HMO | 30 | 60.0% |
72 rear extension applications in Cambridge 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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