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 City of Edinburgh.
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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.
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 City of Edinburgh.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Wraparound Extension | 120 | 96.7% |
| Rear Extension | 1,630 | 95.6% |
| Side Extension | 757 | 94.8% |
| Conservatory | 1,160 | 94.8% |
| Extension (General) | 4,735 | 94.7% |
| Loft Conversion | 437 | 92.9% |
| Front Extension | 84 | 92.9% |
| Outbuilding | 1,210 | 92.7% |
| Basement | 853 | 92.6% |
| Dormer | 2,043 | 92.3% |
| Garage / Parking | 3,320 | 90.5% |
| Flat Conversion | 61 | 88.5% |
| Annex | 100 | 87.0% |
| HMO | 108 | 86.1% |
| New Build | 496 | 82.9% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 2,647 | 69.9% |
31 loft conversion applications in City of Edinburgh 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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