Development enquiry centre

Call into or contact the development enquiry centre for information and advice on:

• the planning system and making a planning application;
• current and previously decided planning applications;
• the Unitary Development Plan and other policies;
• building regulations;
• council land and buildings currently for sale or rent;
• pay application fees by debit or credit card.

Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds, LS2 8HD
Tel  0113 222 4409 (minicom 0113 247 4305)
Fax 0113 247 4117
dec@leeds.gov.uk 
Open Monday to Friday 08:30 - 17:00, except Wednesdays 10:00 - 17:00.

From 11th January 2010 we will be introducing a charge for all permitted development enquires we receive.  This will be £30 and payable when you submit the enquiry.  Cheques should be made payable to Leeds City Council or you can contact the Enquiry Centre on 0113 222 4409 and pay by debit or credit card.  We would encourage you to continue to use this advice service but make you aware you can apply for a Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development householders for £75 and obtain a formal planning decision.

The centre has computer terminals where you can view basic details on all planning applications made since 1974, and a microfilm reader to view those made prior to that. You can also see details of the Unitary Development Plan and other planning policies, listed buildings and conservation areas. There is a wide range of information about the development process and current developments in Leeds. We can supply you with Ordnance Survey extracts of base plans to help you if you are making a planning application (there is a charge for this). We also hold details of council land and buildings currently for sale or rent, along with tender documents.

We tend to be busier on Mondays and Wednesdays, and at all lunchtimes, so you should try to avoid these times if you can.  We try to answer queries on the spot but this is not always possible. We may have to inspect a property, check its history or seek more specific advice.  You can make an appointment, however please remember that we are not always able to answer your question in full immediately.

We recognise the need to consult with users of our services. How the Development Enquiry Centre do this is detailed in our Consultation Strategy. To view the strategy please use the link at the side of the page.

Development Enquiry Centre receives the Customer Service Excellence Standard April 2009
Following our recent assessment in March 2009, we are pleased to inform all our customers that the Development Enquiry Centre has met the Government Standard for Customer Services Excellence.

The standard is part of a national Government initiative that aims to raise the quality of service to customers by testing the ability to deliver the things which customers think are important- timeliness, quality of the service, professionalism and staff attitude.  The Standard is valid for three years with an annual assessment.

The Development Enquiry Centre has been working to make its services better for customers by finding out what customers need and then putting the changes into place wherever possible.  Customers of the enquiry centre have been helping to make improvements through their comments and suggestions and by talking to the service about what they need.  Among many, changes have been made to the information available for customers in easy to understand leaflets and on the internet, intensive training for its staff to ensure that accurate information is given out in the most professional way, easier ways of getting in touch with the service.  Importantly, new ways have been found so that customers can have their opinions heard and these help us to improve our service.

Chief Planning Officer, Phil Crabtree said “We are delighted that the Development Enquiry Service has received this Standard, it shows our  commitment to providing the highest quality of service to customers as possible.  We want to use this award to improve the service provided elsewhere within Planning and Building Standards.

Frequently asked questions

Q. How can I check on the progress of an application?
You can check the progress of an application via Public Access.  Alternatively you can call us on 0113 222 4409 and we can provide you with an update.

Q. I'm thinking of building a conservatory/extension/garage, do I need planning permission?  
We can provide you with confirmation if you complete a permitted development enquiry form.  The cost for this service is £30 from 11/1/2010 to be submitted with the enquiry.  Cheques should be made payable to Leeds City Council or you can contact the Enquiry centre and pay by credit or debit card.  These are available to download from this page.  Alternatively, we can post them to you or you can collect them from this office in the city centre.  We aim to provide you with a response within ten working days. You can also use the interactive guide on the Planning Portal

Q. Where do I get planning application forms?
All relevant application forms and guidance are available on this website - follow the links from this page. Forms are also available from the enquiry centre, or we can post, fax or e-mail them to you.

Q. Where can I view details of current planning applications?
The enquiry centre holds copies of all planning applications. We aim to make files available to you on the same day. Some files are retrieved from off site and we aim to make these available within 3 working days but may need up to five working days.  You view the planning application documents for any applications received after 1st Jan 2009 online using Public Access  Your local library also holds copies of all applications in the local area that have not yet had a decision. Please see our Service Standards leaflet attached.

Q. If I comment on a planning application will it be treated confidentially?
No. However, if you suspect that someone is developing without planning permission, you may ask us to investigate and your request will be treated confidentially. Please see the leaflet above 'What can I do if Planning rules are broken'

Q. Where can I get more information about the planning system?
The 'Planning Portal' is a national online 'onestop' resource for planning information in England and Wales. Follow the weblink to visit the site and find out almost anything you need to know about planning and development control.

Q. How can I find out who owns a particular piece of land or building?
The enquiry centre can put you in touch with our land records team who will tell you whether the council owns it. If it doesn't, you can then contact the Land Registry (follow the weblink) who may be able to help identify the owner, for a small fee.

The Land Registry office for the Leeds area is :
Land Registry, Nottingham (West) Office
Chalfont Drive
Nottingham
NG8 3RN
DX No: 10298 Nottingham (3)

Tel: 0115 935 1166
Fax: 0115 935 0038
GTN: 6208

Our service standards
We aim to give you an answer to your question as accurately and promptly as possible. All recent planning applications are available to view at the enquiry centre. If you wish to view an older application or a decision, we try to make it available within 3 working days. We will respond to written enquiries (e-mail, fax or letter) within 10 working days.

Resolved Contacts: Percentage resolved at first point of contact

Feedback from Customers of the enquiry centre is important to us. During the period  April 2008 until  March 2009 we have dealt with over 56,000 telephone calls,   22,000 face to face enquiries and 3,800 written enquiries. From these we have received 3 complaints which we have investigated and resolved. 

You said we gave wrong planning fee advice - we made sure staff in the enquiry centre are aware of who to contact if they are unsure about any planning fee.

You said we did not pass an enforcement complaint on - we addressed this with the officer concerned and the team as a whole.

You said we did not give information on why an application was approved - we gave refresher training to our staff on how to obtain this information from our systems.

Compliments - The 10 most recent comments regarding the enquiry centre, left in the "Visitors Comments" book placed in reception are below

“Extremely good, helpful and friendly”

“Always good service here”

“Very helpful and friendly”

“Very helpful & efficient service”

“Very helpful/efficient. Thank you”

“Very helpful service, to be commended!”

“Very helpful staff”

“Excellent service all round”

“Extremely helpful and patient”

“Excellent service from each member of staff on the front desk”

Map below shows the location of the Development Enquiry Centre.

Contacts