Rear extensions are the bread and butter of UK planning — and one of the most common reasons homeowners face a refusal. Here's what 2,993 real decisions tell us about rear extension outcomes in Sandwell.
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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 | Bristnall | 8 | 8 | 100.0% |
| 2 | Friar Park & Stone Cross | 5 | 5 | 100.0% |
| 3 | Great Barr Tamebridge & Yew Tree | 6 | 6 | 100.0% |
| 4 | Newton & Valley | 5 | 5 | 100.0% |
| 5 | Smethwick | 6 | 6 | 100.0% |
| 6 | Great Bridge | 7 | 7 | 100.0% |
| 7 | Hateley Heath | 8 | 7 | 87.5% |
| 8 | Tividale | 6 | 5 | 83.3% |
| 9 | West Bromwich Central | 6 | 5 | 83.3% |
| 10 | Soho & Victoria | 5 | 4 | 80.0% |
| 11 | Old Warley | 9 | 7 | 77.8% |
A rear extension has a 100.0% approval rate in Bristnall but just 77.8% in Old Warley.
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Not all applications are treated equally. Here's how rear extensions stack up against other common projects in Sandwell.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 24 | 100.0% |
| HMO | 28 | 100.0% |
| Wraparound Extension | 176 | 95.5% |
| Conservatory | 310 | 95.5% |
| Side Extension | 986 | 94.0% |
| Front Extension | 209 | 93.8% |
| Rear Extension | 2,993 | 93.2% |
| Loft Conversion | 141 | 92.2% |
| Outbuilding | 93 | 91.4% |
| Garage / Parking | 408 | 91.2% |
| Extension (General) | 257 | 91.1% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 347 | 89.9% |
| New Build | 53 | 88.7% |
| Dormer | 187 | 85.6% |
204 rear extension applications in Sandwell 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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