Rear extensions in Birmingham
69,327 applications since 1978. 49,281 approved and 8,277 refused. Refused: about 1 in 7 here, about 1 in 7 across the councils we cover.
Last updated 8 November 2026.
Without planning permission
- Up to 3 m deep on a terrace or semi, 4 m on a detached house
- Up to 6 m or 8 m through the neighbour-consultation route, not on protected land
- No higher than 4 m, and eaves no higher than 3 m within 2 m of a boundary
- Together with other buildings, no more than half the garden and grounds
- Materials similar in appearance to the house
England, houses only. Flats, listed buildings, conservation areas and Article 4 directions change this. The full rules.
Year by year
| Year | Applications | Approved | Refused |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,504 | 575 | 84 |
| 2025 | 2,297 | 1,186 | 250 |
| 2024 | 2,446 | 1,359 | 233 |
| 2023 | 2,876 | 1,578 | 342 |
| 2022 | 3,374 | 1,962 | 278 |
| 2021 | 3,898 | 2,097 | 293 |
| 2020 | 2,607 | 1,762 | 300 |
| 2019 | 2,474 | 1,940 | 276 |
| 2018 | 2,314 | 1,817 | 239 |
| 2017 | 2,273 | 1,835 | 211 |
| 2016 | 2,312 | 1,828 | 208 |
| 2015 | 2,057 | 1,598 | 237 |
Neighbouring councils
| Council | Approved | Refused | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bromsgrove Redditch | 3,040 | 141 | about 1 in 23 |
| Dudley | 12,003 | 1,303 | about 1 in 10 |
| Lichfield | 2,497 | 177 | about 1 in 15 |
| Solihull | 4,467 | 251 | about 1 in 19 |
| Walsall | 2,869 | 629 | about 1 in 6 |