Front Extension planning permission examples — what gets approved & refused
10,866 real decisions from 269 UK councils. See what actually gets approved, what gets refused, and why — so you don’t waste thousands on drawings for something your council will reject.
Last updated: August 2026
84.4%
approval rate across 10,866 decisions
That means roughly 1 in 6 front extension applications are refused — often due to avoidable design issues.
10,866
Decisions
9,166
Approved
1,700
Refused
269
Councils
Front extensions change the street scene, which is why they face higher scrutiny than rear or side extensions. They are never permitted development and always require a planning application.
What these results show
• Front extensions have one of the highest refusal rates of any extension type.
• Street scene impact is the number one refusal reason — councils protect visual consistency.
• Porches are treated differently to front extensions and often have permitted development rights.
• Where a neighbour has an approved front extension, your chances improve significantly — precedent matters here more than anywhere.
⚠️ These are national examples. Your council could be stricter — or more lenient. See what actually gets approved on your street →
Real front extension decisions
Real examples showing what works — and what gets refused. Use the filters to compare approved and refused applications.
Approved
Replacement of existing dual pitched roof with a raised pitched roof and a raised flat roof and erection of a single storey front extension.
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Refused
Single storey front extension, garage to be converted to a bedroom. Amendments to an existing parking driveway, a new parking space and highway access. Cladding to dwelling and extension with PIR thermal insulation and a flexible render. External works to improve access to the dwelling.
Approved
Demolish existing entrance/bay window front extension including external balcony, erection of replacement two storey (ground and basement levels) entrance/living room extension with other minor external alterations
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Approved
Replacement of existing front extension with a new single storey front extension including flat roof light and New front door and new windows to ground floor front elevation.
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Approved
Single storey front porch extension in place of existing conservatory - Approved under H20-0169-26. Amendment to use coloured render in place of approved brick finish to match
▸ Matching existing materials and design helps approval chances.
Approved
Part single storey front extension with pitched roof to existing extension and alterations to openings
▸ A roof that matches the existing house signals good design to planning officers.
Refused
Roof enlargement, loft conversion with dormer windows, alternations to porch, single storey front extension, garage conversion and external render.
Refused
To create an additional storey to existing bungalow, with part single storey front extension, f enestration alterations, and new render throughout, following the demolition of existing garage.
Refused
First Floor Front Extension over part of existing Garage. Partial Garage conversion. Single Storey extension to Garage. Replacement windows throughout. Replacement Roof.
LIVE/0422/H/12
Approved
Demolition of existing front porch and front extension, erection of new porch, extension to house, formation of pitch roof over existing flat roof extension, cladding to house, window/door alterations and raising of wallhead of barn with new barn roof (grid ref. 299264 672276)
Approved
Single storey front extension to integral garage, with a pitched roof and rooflight.
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Retrospective planning permission sought for new facing materials and windows / doors to main dwelling house including two roof dormers to front elevation and construction of two storey front extension to main detached dwelling house. Proposed new single storey annexe bungalow, proposed detached gar
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
25/0107/FULOPDC
Approved
Retrospective application for change of use of existing single-storey front extension of an industrial building to a restaurant (Use Class E(b)), together with the installation of outdoor seating enclosure, front canopy cover, ventilation flue, mechanical roof plant and associated works.
Refused
Construct pitched roof over garage and single storey front extension
Refused
Alterations to existing garage to include roof lift to provide storage at first floor and installation of roof lights, erect single storey front extension to existing garage and various associated works
Refused
Ground floor front extension beneath the existing projecting roof, not extending beyond the line of the original front bay. Install a new timber casement window to the ground floor reception room.
Refused
Two storey front extension with new roof light in existing roof.
▸ Two-storey extensions face higher scrutiny due to greater neighbour impact.
Approved
Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed): Alterations to existing building to construct a new roof with a reduction in overall ridge height by 350mm to give a maximum building height of 3550mm and the erection of single storey front extension to existing stable building to form gymnasium, games room WC
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Proposed single storey flat roofed front extension and internal alterations to facilitate the maximum number of children attending the day nursery being limited to 62 at any one time.
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
TWO STOREY FRONT EXTENSION TO CONTAIN BEDROOM AND FAMILY ROOM
▸ Two-storey approvals often involve setbacks from boundaries and matching materials.
Still scrolling?
You’re looking at national data. 16% of front extension applications get refused — but that number could be higher or lower in your area.
See what gets approved near your home →
Approved
Planning Application - Erection of single storey front extension (following demolition of existing porch)
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Raising of the existing front extension roof and general re-roofing of the whole of the leisure centre building and associated works including replacement rainwater goods,
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Approved
Single storey front extension; roof alterations; flue; alterations to fenestrati
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Single storey front extension and extension to existing front dormer window
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Refused
Single storey front extension and detached ancillary annexe.
Refused
Two storey front extension and alterations to garage roof and front elevation
▸ Two-storey extensions face higher scrutiny due to greater neighbour impact.
Refused
Change of use from dwelling to 2no. 2-bedroom apartments, single storey front extension and increase in height to create full first floor. Elevation changes.
Refused
Non material minor amendment to DOV/22/00408 (Erection of a front extension and porch) to allow for increase the size of extension from 7m to 7.6m
Refused
Two storey front extension and conversion of garage to living accommodation
▸ Two-storey extensions face higher scrutiny due to greater neighbour impact.
Refused
Non-material amendment to planning permission DC/2023/01426 approved on 07/12/2023 to allow the change from white render to a grey brick finish on the front extension elevation.
Garage conversion to habitable space. Front extension with bay window.
Garage conversion to habitable space. Front extension with bay window.
Refused
Erection of detached garage in front curtilage, single storey front extension, alterations to front elevation to accommodate proposed garage conversion (part retrospective).
Refused
Replacement roof and single storey ground floor front extension including internal alterations
Approved
Erection of 1.5 storey front extension, increase roof height, formation of front dormer and external alterations
▸ Rear dormers are far more likely to be approved than front-facing ones.
16/03708/NMV1
Approved
Single storey extension to front of dwellinghouse (Non-material variation to 16/03708/FULL for amendements to front extension)
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
24/00176/FUL
Approved
Full planning application for the erection of a single storey front extension.
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
23/01173/NMA
Approved
Non material amendment sought to planning permission ref 21/00484/FUL for alterations to roof of the front extension.
Approved
alterations and construction of single storey front extension
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Single storey front extension (amended plans received 24/08/22)
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Erection of single storey front extension to the existing front porch.
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed erection of a single storey front extension.
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Demolition of front extension, construction of single storey front extension and associated works
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Single Storey front extension and 2 storey front extension and alterations
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
0302480
Approved
Demoltion of existing dwelling house at no. 24 and single storey front extension at no. 22 and erection of replacement 2 storey plus basement building to form one single dwelling house. Amendments to planning permission PP/02/01069 dated 11/10/02 alterations to front elevation to incorporate new int
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
Approved
Proposed front extension plus alterations to the existing front extension.
10/00667/FULL
Approved
Retrospective permission for front extension to allow roller shutter to be fitted
Approved
Erection of single storey front extension to dwellinghouse and erection of car port structure
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Erection of first floor front extension over existing garage.
Approved
Front porch extension, conversion of garage to sitting room, provision of new and replacement windows and provision of new cladding material to front elevation.
▸ Replacing an existing structure is generally viewed more favourably than building new.
6/9/24/011
Approved
Proposed single storey front extension and porch to north elevation.
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Erection of a single storey front extension and alterations to fenestration.
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Erection of single storey front extension to form new reception including refurbishment and recladding of front elevation.
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Erect a single storey front extension at
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
Single storey front extension to dwelling
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
2008/1765
Approved
Erection of a single storey front extension to dwelling.
▸ Single-storey extensions face less scrutiny than two-storey.
Approved
First floor front extension and new front porch canopy.
Approved
Convert garage to hobby room and erect front extension
Approved
PROPOSED SINGLE STORE FRONT EXTENSION & GARAGE CONVERSION
Approved
Erection of part single and part two storey front extension
▸ Two-storey approvals often involve setbacks from boundaries and matching materials.
Related guides
Why front extensions get refusedBefore you spend £2,000+ on drawings — and risk getting refused
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