Rear extensions are the bread and butter of UK planning — and one of the most common reasons homeowners face a refusal. Here's what 2,809 real decisions tell us about rear extension outcomes in Sandwell.
See your ward's approval rate and nearby planning decisions — free and instant.
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 | Old Warley | 5 | 5 | 100.0% |
| 2 | Tividale | 7 | 7 | 100.0% |
| 3 | Newton | 12 | 11 | 91.7% |
| 4 | Bristnall | 11 | 10 | 90.9% |
| 5 | Wednesbury South | 8 | 7 | 87.5% |
| 6 | Friar Park | 8 | 7 | 87.5% |
| 7 | Smethwick | 7 | 6 | 85.7% |
| 8 | Charlemont With Grove Vale | 7 | 6 | 85.7% |
| 9 | Wednesbury North | 6 | 5 | 83.3% |
| 10 | Great Barr With Yew Tree | 6 | 5 | 83.3% |
| 11 | Abbey | 10 | 8 | 80.0% |
| 12 | Hateley Heath | 15 | 12 | 80.0% |
| 13 | St Pauls | 5 | 4 | 80.0% |
| 14 | Rowley | 6 | 4 | 66.7% |
| 15 | Oldbury | 6 | 4 | 66.7% |
A rear extension has a 100.0% approval rate in Old Warley but just 66.7% in Oldbury.
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 Sandwell.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Conservatory | 308 | 95.5% |
| Wraparound Extension | 151 | 94.7% |
| Side Extension | 895 | 93.5% |
| Rear Extension | 2,809 | 93.0% |
| Front Extension | 186 | 93.0% |
| Extension (General) | 249 | 91.2% |
| Garage / Parking | 361 | 90.3% |
| Loft Conversion | 112 | 90.2% |
| Outbuilding | 77 | 89.6% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 311 | 89.1% |
| New Build | 52 | 88.5% |
| Dormer | 153 | 82.4% |
196 rear extension applications in Sandwell 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.
Check My Postcode First