Loft conversions change your roofline — and that makes them one of the more closely scrutinised application types. Councils scrutinise visibility, overlooking and street character more closely than for ground-level work. Here's what the data shows in Birmingham.
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Loft conversions face more scrutiny than rear or side extensions because they change the property's profile from the street. Dormers, mansards and hip-to-gable alterations are particularly sensitive.
| # | Ward | Decisions | Approved | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unknown | 6 | 6 | 100.0% |
Two houses on the same street can get different outcomes.
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Not all applications are treated equally. Here's how loft conversions stack up against other common projects in Birmingham.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Conservatory | 166 | 88.0% |
| Wraparound Extension | 1,842 | 87.8% |
| Rear Extension | 13,248 | 87.2% |
| Side Extension | 5,640 | 87.1% |
| Outbuilding | 757 | 86.0% |
| Front Extension | 1,556 | 85.3% |
| New Build | 3,721 | 83.2% |
| Extension (General) | 650 | 80.8% |
| Garage / Parking | 1,578 | 79.7% |
| Basement | 127 | 79.5% |
| Dormer | 2,363 | 76.1% |
| Loft Conversion | 791 | 74.1% |
| Annex | 91 | 69.2% |
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 330 | 63.6% |
| HMO | 1,002 | 60.0% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 1,863 | 55.1% |
| Flat Conversion | 297 | 52.2% |
205 loft conversion applications in Birmingham have been refused since 2020. Many of those homeowners had already paid for drawings and application fees. A £79 report shows you what gets approved — and what gets refused — near your property.
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