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Hillingdon · Rear Extension · 2026

Rear Extension Planning Permission in Hillingdon: 2026 Guide

Hillingdon has relatively low conservation area coverage at 7%, so most streets remain eligible for permitted development when the design stays within national limits. Householder approvals in Hillingdon run at around 84% with an average decision time of 9 weeks.

Verdict
May be permitted development

A rear extension in Hillingdon 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 Hillingdon for Rear Extension

Conservation area coverage
7%
Approval rate (Hillingdon)
84%
Avg. decision time
9 weeks
Article 4 directions
1
Heathrow noise and safeguarding zones
Extensive Green Belt
Colne Valley Regional Park
Article 4 directions in Hillingdon
  • HMO Article 4 in specified areas

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 Hillingdon

The CanUBuild checker surfaces real recent applications close to your address — approvals and refusals — so you can see what the planning officers at Hillingdon 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 Hillingdon?

In Hillingdon, the answer depends on whether your property sits in a conservation area (7% 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 Hillingdon?

Conservation areas in Hillingdon 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 Hillingdon Council assess conservation area proposals against the specific character appraisal for the street.

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

Hillingdon 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 Hillingdon under permitted development?

A single-storey rear extension on a house in Hillingdon 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 7% of Hillingdon.

Next step

Check your specific address in Hillingdon

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