Rear extensions are the bread and butter of UK planning — and one of the most common reasons homeowners face a refusal. Here's what 1,868 real decisions tell us about rear extension outcomes in Tower Hamlets.
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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 | Bow West | 6 | 6 | 100.0% |
| 2 | St Dunstans | 7 | 6 | 85.7% |
A rear extension has a 100.0% approval rate in Bow West but just 85.7% in St Dunstans.
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Not all applications are treated equally. Here's how rear extensions stack up against other common projects in Tower Hamlets.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Garage / Parking | 1,543 | 92.2% |
| New Build | 805 | 91.8% |
| Conservatory | 124 | 88.7% |
| Basement | 1,692 | 88.2% |
| Extension (General) | 1,148 | 84.4% |
| Flat Conversion | 392 | 83.7% |
| Side Extension | 413 | 83.3% |
| Outbuilding | 379 | 82.8% |
| Wraparound Extension | 68 | 80.9% |
| Rear Extension | 1,868 | 80.6% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 2,160 | 80.3% |
| Dormer | 514 | 78.2% |
| Front Extension | 74 | 75.7% |
| Loft Conversion | 1,272 | 75.0% |
| Annex | 24 | 75.0% |
| HMO | 238 | 50.4% |
363 rear extension applications in Tower Hamlets 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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