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 South Downs.
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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 South Downs.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Conservatory | 371 | 94.9% |
| Outbuilding | 921 | 94.9% |
| Basement | 68 | 94.1% |
| Extension (General) | 809 | 93.6% |
| Rear Extension | 978 | 93.4% |
| Front Extension | 110 | 92.7% |
| Side Extension | 547 | 92.3% |
| Garage / Parking | 1,505 | 90.6% |
| Annex | 202 | 89.1% |
| Dormer | 420 | 88.1% |
| Wraparound Extension | 73 | 86.3% |
| New Build | 242 | 84.7% |
| Loft Conversion | 159 | 83.6% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 400 | 82.0% |
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 33 | 75.8% |
26 loft conversion applications in South Downs 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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