Planning applications in Ealing

Planning in Ealing

Planning applications in Ealing are refused more often than across the areas we cover. About 1 in 5 decided applications is refused, against about 1 in 7 across the areas we cover, and for the most popular kinds of work it is higher. Rear extensions, side extensions and loft conversions and dormers are each refused about 1 in 4 times, and all three are refused more often than applications in Ealing overall.

The council has dealt with more than 132,000 applications since 2000, and rear extensions alone account for more than 61,000 of them. Loft conversions and dormers follow with more than 26,000, side extensions with more than 24,000 and front extensions and porches with more than 23,000. Windows and doors and garden rooms and outbuildings, each with more than 15,000, are refused about 1 in 5 times, as are front extensions and porches. Fences, walls and gates (about 1 in 7) and driveways and dropped kerbs (about 1 in 5) are close to the national picture, while solar panels, at about 1 in 11, have a gentler record, though with fewer than 700 applications.

Because refusals are common, it pays to build on what has already been approved. Look at nearby streets for extensions of a similar size and design, and bring the plans in line with them before applying.

Ealing’s neighbours vary. Brent and Hounslow are both stricter, with about 1 in 4 refused, while Harrow and Hillingdon are on a par at about 1 in 5. Hammersmith and Fulham is gentler at about 1 in 8, and Old Oak Park Royal gentler still at about 1 in 22.

The picture is easing slightly. In 2025 there were 4,615 applications, a little below the average of about 4,860 a year in the three years before, and the refusal rate was about 1 in 7, compared with about 1 in 6 over the three years before. The busiest year on record was 2016 with 6,588.

Across 2023 to 2025 the median was 8 weeks, with about 58% decided within 8 weeks, so allow a couple of months for a typical home extension.

Ealing has 30 conservation areas and 308 listed buildings. In those parts of the borough, expect closer scrutiny of materials and anything visible from the street.

Figures in this section as of 9 October 2026.