Rear extensions are the bread and butter of UK planning — and one of the most common reasons homeowners face a refusal. Here's what 5,514 real decisions tell us about rear extension outcomes in Greenwich.
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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 | ELTHAM TOWN & AVERY HILL | 9 | 8 | 88.9% |
| 2 | KIDBROOKE PARK | 6 | 4 | 66.7% |
| 3 | ABBEY WOOD | 7 | 4 | 57.1% |
| 4 | PLUMSTEAD COMMON | 9 | 5 | 55.6% |
| 5 | MOTTINGHAM, COLDHARBOUR & NEW ELTHAM | 10 | 5 | 50.0% |
A rear extension has a 88.9% approval rate in ELTHAM TOWN & AVERY HILL but just 50.0% in MOTTINGHAM, COLDHARBOUR & NEW ELTHAM.
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Not all applications are treated equally. Here's how rear extensions stack up against other common projects in Greenwich.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| New Build | 432 | 85.0% |
| Outbuilding | 822 | 78.7% |
| Flat Conversion | 559 | 78.2% |
| Garage / Parking | 2,833 | 77.5% |
| Extension (General) | 610 | 77.2% |
| Basement | 842 | 76.0% |
| Conservatory | 475 | 76.0% |
| Annex | 70 | 72.9% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 1,545 | 71.1% |
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 798 | 70.2% |
| Loft Conversion | 2,580 | 67.5% |
| Dormer | 2,717 | 67.5% |
| Rear Extension | 5,514 | 66.4% |
| HMO | 642 | 64.0% |
| Side Extension | 2,024 | 59.7% |
| Wraparound Extension | 673 | 58.5% |
| Front Extension | 228 | 49.6% |
1,851 rear extension applications in Greenwich have been refused since 2020. Many of those homeowners had already paid for drawings and application fees. A free, property-specific report shows you what gets approved — and what gets refused — near your property.
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