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 County Durham.
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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 County Durham.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Conservatory | 258 | 98.8% |
| Wraparound Extension | 147 | 98.6% |
| Rear Extension | 1,515 | 97.8% |
| Side Extension | 875 | 97.1% |
| Front Extension | 259 | 96.9% |
| Annex | 124 | 96.0% |
| Outbuilding | 562 | 95.9% |
| Garage / Parking | 1,962 | 95.7% |
| Dormer | 301 | 95.7% |
| Extension (General) | 1,425 | 95.6% |
| Loft Conversion | 157 | 94.3% |
| Basement | 31 | 93.5% |
| New Build | 613 | 89.6% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 1,136 | 87.1% |
| Flat Conversion | 21 | 81.0% |
| HMO | 224 | 75.0% |
9 loft conversion applications in County Durham 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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