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Bromley · Rear Extension · 2026

Rear Extension Planning Permission in Bromley: 2026 Guide

Bromley has relatively low conservation area coverage at 10%, so most streets remain eligible for permitted development when the design stays within national limits. Householder approvals in Bromley run at around 83% with an average decision time of 9 weeks.

Verdict
May be permitted development

A rear extension in Bromley can often be permitted development when it stays within size and design limits and no local constraint applies to your address. Always confirm at address level.

Planning Constraints in Bromley for Rear Extension

Conservation area coverage
10%
Approval rate (Bromley)
83%
Avg. decision time
9 weeks
Article 4 directions
0
Over half the borough is Green Belt
Ancient woodland and TPOs
Conservation areas in village centres

Permitted Development Rules

Rear extensions are permitted development for houses (not flats) within specific size and height limits set by the GPDO, Schedule 2, Part 1, Class A.

  • Single-storey: max 4m deep for detached, 3m for semi or terraced (or up to 8m/6m under the Larger Home Extension prior approval route).
  • Maximum eaves height 3m if within 2m of a boundary.
  • Maximum overall height 4m.
  • Materials must be similar in appearance to the existing house.
  • No part of the extension may extend beyond the principal elevation fronting a highway.
  • Total extended footprint cannot exceed 50% of the original curtilage.
  • Two-storey extensions must be at least 7m from the rear boundary and no higher than the main roof.

Read the full rear extension planning guide for the national rules and application process.

Recent Rear Extension Decisions in Bromley

The CanUBuild checker surfaces real recent applications close to your address — approvals and refusals — so you can see what the planning officers at Bromley Council have approved for comparable schemes. Nearby precedent is one of the strongest signals for your own chances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission for a rear extension in Bromley?

In Bromley, the answer depends on whether your property sits in a conservation area (10% of the borough), is listed, or falls within an Article 4 direction. Most rear extension proposals are permitted development for houses when they stay within GPDO limits and no local constraint applies. Check your exact address with the CanUBuild checker before spending on drawings.

Can I build a rear extension in a conservation area in Bromley?

Conservation areas in Bromley typically remove several permitted development freedoms. For a rear extension, the Larger Home Extension route and some external alterations do not apply, so a full householder application is usually required. Planning officers at Bromley Council assess conservation area proposals against the specific character appraisal for the street.

How long does a rear extension application take to decide in Bromley?

Bromley Council currently averages around 9 weeks for householder applications. Complex rear extension proposals — particularly those in conservation areas or on listed buildings — can take longer. Prior approval decisions for Larger Home Extensions are typically issued in 42 days.

How big can a rear extension be in Bromley under permitted development?

A single-storey rear extension on a house in Bromley can be up to 4m deep (detached) or 3m deep (semi/terraced) under standard PD. The Larger Home Extension prior approval route extends this to 8m and 6m respectively, but is not available in conservation areas — which cover 10% of Bromley.

Next step

Check your specific address in Bromley

Address-level constraints and recent decisions around the corner. No drawings needed.