Refusals are usually caused by specific design choices — not the area overall. The most common triggers are:
• Depth — an extension 50cm beyond what the council tolerates
• Proximity — building too close to a neighbour's boundary
• Overlooking — windows that create a loss of privacy
• Design — a flat roof where the council expects pitched
Even in councils with 90%+ approval rates, certain types of extensions are refused far more often than others. You can see exactly which ones — and why — near your property.
See why similar applications near you get refused →Based on all decided planning applications in our database. Councils with fewer than 100 decisions excluded.
| Uttlesford | 72.4% |
| East Hertfordshire | 73.2% |
| Maldon | 75.3% |
| Brent | 76.0% |
| Greenwich | 78.1% |
| Bradford | 78.8% |
| Hillingdon | 78.9% |
| Redbridge | 79.0% |
| Waltham Forest | 79.1% |
| Barking & Dagenham | 79.3% |
| Dacorum | 99.7% |
| Fareham | 99.1% |
| Mid Devon | 98.9% |
| Aberdeenshire | 98.8% |
| Mansfield | 98.8% |
| North Ayrshire | 98.7% |
| City of London | 98.7% |
| Falkirk | 98.5% |
| Moray | 98.4% |
| East Ayrshire | 98.2% |
Even in councils with 85% approval rates, certain types of extensions are refused far more often.
The difference between approval and refusal is usually not obvious until you look at real decisions near your property.
A refused application costs £4,000+ in redesigns, delays, and re-submissions.
See why similar applications near you get refused →