Rear extensions are the bread and butter of UK planning — and one of the most common reasons homeowners face a refusal. Here's what 778 real decisions tell us about rear extension outcomes in Watford.
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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 | Park | 14 | 13 | 92.9% |
| 2 | Tudor | 9 | 8 | 88.9% |
| 3 | Stanborough | 16 | 14 | 87.5% |
| 4 | Holywell | 7 | 6 | 85.7% |
| 5 | Callowland | 5 | 4 | 80.0% |
| 6 | Meriden | 5 | 4 | 80.0% |
| 7 | Leggatts | 9 | 6 | 66.7% |
A rear extension has a 92.9% approval rate in Park but just 66.7% in Leggatts.
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Not all applications are treated equally. Here's how rear extensions stack up against other common projects in Watford.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Wraparound Extension | 67 | 100.0% |
| New Build | 68 | 100.0% |
| Front Extension | 86 | 98.8% |
| Side Extension | 267 | 97.4% |
| Garage / Parking | 235 | 96.2% |
| Conservatory | 49 | 95.9% |
| Outbuilding | 133 | 93.2% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 91 | 91.2% |
| HMO | 41 | 90.2% |
| Extension (General) | 79 | 89.9% |
| Dormer | 344 | 89.0% |
| Loft Conversion | 308 | 88.6% |
| Rear Extension | 778 | 88.4% |
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 112 | 88.4% |
90 rear extension applications in Watford 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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