Rear extensions are the bread and butter of UK planning — and one of the most common reasons homeowners face a refusal. Here's what 5,373 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 | MOTTINGHAM, COLDHARBOUR & NEW ELTHAM | 5 | 5 | 100.0% |
| 2 | ELTHAM PARK & PROGRESS | 8 | 6 | 75.0% |
| 3 | GREENWICH PARK | 6 | 4 | 66.7% |
| 4 | BLACKHEATH WESTCOMBE | 6 | 4 | 66.7% |
| 5 | ELTHAM TOWN & AVERY HILL | 6 | 4 | 66.7% |
| 6 | PLUMSTEAD COMMON | 7 | 4 | 57.1% |
| 7 | KIDBROOKE PARK | 7 | 3 | 42.9% |
| 8 | PLUMSTEAD & GLYNDON | 5 | 1 | 20.0% |
A rear extension has a 100.0% approval rate in MOTTINGHAM, COLDHARBOUR & NEW ELTHAM but just 20.0% in PLUMSTEAD & GLYNDON.
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 Greenwich.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| New Build | 430 | 85.6% |
| Outbuilding | 797 | 78.8% |
| Flat Conversion | 548 | 78.6% |
| Extension (General) | 587 | 78.4% |
| Garage / Parking | 2,787 | 77.9% |
| Basement | 820 | 76.7% |
| Conservatory | 459 | 76.3% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 1,507 | 71.7% |
| Annex | 66 | 71.2% |
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 797 | 70.5% |
| Dormer | 2,691 | 67.9% |
| Loft Conversion | 2,547 | 67.6% |
| Rear Extension | 5,373 | 66.3% |
| HMO | 612 | 64.7% |
| Side Extension | 1,988 | 59.8% |
| Wraparound Extension | 659 | 58.1% |
| Front Extension | 222 | 49.5% |
1,812 rear extension applications in Greenwich 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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