Rear extension in Chorley: Planning Permission Guide

Everything you need to know about building a rear extension in Chorley, including permitted development rules, typical costs, and which professionals you'll need.

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Rear extensions in Chorley at a glance

74%

approved

£258

application fee

8

weeks typical

Based on 47 decided applications in Chorley over 12 months (35 granted, 12 refused).

Chorley has conservation areas around Chorley Town Centre, Astley Village, Eccleston, and Croston. Listed buildings cluster around Astley Hall (a Grade I listed 16th-century house) and around several historic village cores. The West Pennine Moors cover parts of the east of the borough. Green Belt covers substantial rural areas. Flood zones apply along the Yarrow and Douglas rivers. The borough mixes Victorian terraces with rural villages and later suburban development.

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Approval probability, 5 nearest comparables, refusal reasons — for your specific address.

Recent rear extension decisions in Chorley

The 5 most recent decided applications. Addresses redacted to postcode area.

Condition(s) not discharged

Application to discharge condition 6 (off-site highways works) of planning permission ref: 24/00725/FUL (Change of use of no. 124 Bolton …

PR72026-04-09
Granted

Application for listed building consent for a single storey rear extension, conversion of and external alterations to existing garage in …

PR72026-03-31
Permit Full Planning Permission

Single storey rear extension, conversion of and external alterations to existing garage in order to facilitate provision of habitable acc…

PR72026-03-30
Permit Full Planning Permission

Pitched roof front dormer, first floor rear extension, rear dormer, single storey rear extension, front porch

PR72026-03-25
Permit Full Planning Permission

Single storey side/rear extension and raising of patio area (following demolition of existing conservatory and extension)

PR72026-03-20

These are borough-wide. See the 5 nearest to your address.

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Permitted Development Rules

Class APart 1

Enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a dwellinghouse

GPDO 2015, Schedule 2, Part 1, Class A

Rear extensions fall under Part 1, Class A of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO). This means you can often build one without a full planning application, provided your project stays within the dimension limits.

Key dimension limits

Single storey

Up to 4m depthMax 4m heightMax 3m eaves height

Two storey

Up to 3m depthMust not exceed existing ridge heightMin 7m to rear boundary

These are the maximum GPDO limits for a detached house with no constraints. Your actual limits depend on your property type, location, and any planning restrictions.

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Typical Costs in London

Construction costs for rear extensions in London vary depending on size, specification, and whether you're building single or double storey.

Single storey rear extensionLondon

Cost per m²

£2,000£3,500

construction rate

Typical total

£25,000£50,000

Based on 12–18

Double storey rear extensionLondon

Cost per m²

£1,800£3,200

construction rate

Typical total

£40,000£80,000

Based on 20–35

Typically includes

FoundationsStructureRoofElectricsPlumbingBasic finishes

Typically excludes

Kitchen fittingPlanning application feeBuilding regs feeParty wall surveyorArchitect fees

Double storey extensions have a lower per-m² cost as foundations and roof are shared across two floors.

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Which Professionals Do You Need?

The professionals you'll need depend on the size and complexity of your extension, your property type, and whether you share walls with neighbours.

You'll need a party wall surveyor for this project.

Architect / designerOptional

A draughtsperson or architectural technician can prepare the plans needed for a single storey extension. A full architect may not be necessary.

Typical fee: £1,500£3,500 (Plans + Building Regs)

Structural engineerRecommended

Single storey extensions typically need structural calculations for any openings in existing walls and for foundations.

Typical fee: £500£1,500

Party wall surveyorEssential

Your semi-detached house shares a boundary with neighbours. Extensions and loft work within 3 metres of a shared wall trigger the Party Wall Act.

Typical fee: £700£1,500 (per neighbour)

Planning consultantNot needed

This guidance is based on a typical semi-detached house with no special constraints. Listed buildings, conservation areas, and attached properties may require additional professional input.

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Conservation Areas & Listed Buildings

If your property is in a conservation area, the maximum depth for a single storey rear extension is reduced to 3 metres for all property types. Two storey rear extensions are not permitted in conservation areas.

Conservation areas

Properties in conservation areas often have reduced permitted development rights. Some project types (like side extensions) lose PD rights entirely. An Article 4 Direction can remove additional PD rights.

Listed buildings

Listed buildings (Grade I, II*, or II) have no permitted development rights at all. Any external alteration requires Listed Building Consent in addition to any planning permission. An architect experienced in heritage work is essential.

Check if your property is in a conservation area or has other planning constraints.

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Prior Approval (Larger Home Extension Scheme)

What is Prior Approval?

Single storey rear extensions between 4m and 8m deep (detached) or 3m and 6m deep (other houses) may be built under the "larger home extension" scheme. This requires a Prior Approval application with a neighbour consultation — not a full planning application. The fee is lower and the decision is faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

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