Front extensions and porches in Tower Hamlets
805 applications since 2016. 587 approved and 153 refused. Refused: about 1 in 5 here, about 1 in 7 across the councils we cover.
Last updated 9 November 2026.
Planning permission
An extension beyond the front of the house facing a road is never permitted development. Only a small porch is.
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 | 38 | 22 | 4 |
| 2025 | 64 | 51 | 10 |
| 2024 | 66 | 52 | 6 |
| 2023 | 54 | 41 | 11 |
| 2022 | 88 | 58 | 25 |
| 2021 | 102 | 64 | 32 |
| 2020 | 82 | 57 | 18 |
| 2019 | 90 | 74 | 9 |
| 2018 | 105 | 76 | 21 |
| 2017 | 96 | 76 | 15 |
| 2016 | 20 | 16 | 2 |
Neighbouring councils
| Council | Approved | Refused | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| City | 52 | 0 | none |
| Greenwich | 897 | 494 | about 1 in 3 |
| Hackney | 2,053 | 340 | about 1 in 7 |
| Lewisham | 807 | 144 | about 1 in 7 |
| Newham | 2,022 | 576 | about 1 in 5 |
| Southwark | 2,441 | 189 | about 1 in 14 |