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 |
|---|---|---|
| Outbuilding | 981 | 94.9% |
| Conservatory | 387 | 94.8% |
| Basement | 68 | 94.1% |
| Extension (General) | 842 | 93.8% |
| Rear Extension | 1,027 | 93.0% |
| Front Extension | 115 | 93.0% |
| Side Extension | 576 | 91.3% |
| Garage / Parking | 1,564 | 90.7% |
| Annex | 210 | 89.5% |
| Dormer | 439 | 88.2% |
| Wraparound Extension | 76 | 86.8% |
| New Build | 259 | 84.9% |
| Loft Conversion | 170 | 83.5% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 419 | 82.1% |
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 35 | 74.3% |
28 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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