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 Southwark.
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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 | GOGR | 5 | 4 | 80.0% |
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 Southwark.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Garage / Parking | 5,449 | 95.9% |
| New Build | 1,494 | 95.6% |
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 180 | 94.4% |
| Side Extension | 1,824 | 94.3% |
| Basement | 3,571 | 94.2% |
| Extension (General) | 2,915 | 94.1% |
| Wraparound Extension | 418 | 94.0% |
| Annex | 117 | 94.0% |
| Dormer | 2,767 | 93.1% |
| Front Extension | 114 | 93.0% |
| Outbuilding | 1,156 | 92.8% |
| Conservatory | 257 | 92.6% |
| Rear Extension | 3,909 | 92.2% |
| Flat Conversion | 837 | 91.3% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 2,217 | 89.6% |
| Loft Conversion | 2,162 | 88.6% |
| HMO | 164 | 84.8% |
246 loft conversion applications in Southwark 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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