Rear extensions are the bread and butter of UK planning — and one of the most common reasons homeowners face a refusal. Here's what 1,256 real decisions tell us about rear extension outcomes in Plymouth.
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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 | PLYMPTON ERLE | 5 | 5 | 100.0% |
| 2 | PLYMSTOCK RADFORD | 8 | 7 | 87.5% |
| 3 | PLYMSTOCK DUNSTONE | 6 | 5 | 83.3% |
A rear extension has a 100.0% approval rate in PLYMPTON ERLE but just 83.3% in PLYMSTOCK DUNSTONE.
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Not all applications are treated equally. Here's how rear extensions stack up against other common projects in Plymouth.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Loft Conversion | 189 | 97.9% |
| Wraparound Extension | 88 | 97.7% |
| Rear Extension | 1,256 | 97.2% |
| Flat Conversion | 36 | 97.2% |
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 119 | 96.6% |
| Side Extension | 627 | 96.5% |
| Basement | 81 | 96.3% |
| Dormer | 383 | 95.8% |
| Extension (General) | 290 | 94.5% |
| Outbuilding | 202 | 93.6% |
| Conservatory | 170 | 93.5% |
| Front Extension | 159 | 93.1% |
| HMO | 303 | 92.1% |
| Annex | 85 | 91.8% |
| Garage / Parking | 828 | 89.1% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 463 | 87.0% |
| New Build | 109 | 78.9% |
35 rear extension applications in Plymouth 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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