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 Cardiff.
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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 | CATHAYS | 5 | 5 | 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 Cardiff.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Conversion | 26 | 88.5% |
| Dormer | 216 | 85.6% |
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 63 | 84.1% |
| Front Extension | 24 | 83.3% |
| HMO | 29 | 82.8% |
| Annex | 28 | 78.6% |
| Outbuilding | 81 | 77.8% |
| New Build | 21 | 71.4% |
| Loft Conversion | 205 | 70.2% |
| Rear Extension | 364 | 67.9% |
| Garage / Parking | 293 | 66.9% |
| Extension (General) | 293 | 66.6% |
| Side Extension | 154 | 65.6% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 89 | 59.6% |
| Conservatory | 176 | 49.4% |
61 loft conversion applications in Cardiff have been refused since 2020. Many of those homeowners had already paid for drawings and application fees. A free, property-specific report shows you what gets approved — and what gets refused — near your property.
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