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 Wandsworth.
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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 | Wandsworth Common | 5 | 4 | 80.0% |
| 2 | Wandsworth Town | 5 | 3 | 60.0% |
| 3 | Balham | 7 | 4 | 57.1% |
A loft conversion has a 80.0% approval rate in Wandsworth Common but just 57.1% in Balham.
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Not all applications are treated equally. Here's how loft conversions stack up against other common projects in Wandsworth.
| Type | Decisions | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Conservatory | 108 | 96.3% |
| Flat Conversion | 732 | 96.2% |
| Garage / Parking | 3,411 | 95.5% |
| Basement | 3,218 | 94.7% |
| New Build | 1,727 | 94.1% |
| Side Extension | 3,443 | 93.6% |
| Rear Extension | 6,238 | 92.9% |
| Change of Use (Residential) | 2,001 | 92.9% |
| Extension (General) | 1,644 | 92.6% |
| Wraparound Extension | 285 | 92.6% |
| Outbuilding | 817 | 91.7% |
| Loft Conversion | 4,450 | 91.3% |
| Annex | 60 | 90.0% |
| HMO | 211 | 89.1% |
| Dormer | 1,954 | 88.7% |
| Front Extension | 115 | 87.0% |
| Hip-to-Gable Conversion | 297 | 83.2% |
387 loft conversion applications in Wandsworth 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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