Planning officers will not be able to enter into correspondence to provide additional advice or discuss further the advice once they have given the formal response.
It’s not compulsory but it will make submitting your proposal easier. The advice provided can provide a useful steer on proposals, leading to better quality developments and an increased chance of a quicker decision on the application.
- the pre-application service is for advice single option proposals only. If you require advice on multiple options for the site or development, submit separate enquiry forms and fees
- officers will provide advice on whether it is likely that your proposal, as submitted, would be granted planning permission or not and will highlight main issues as appropriate
- if your enquiry relates to permitted development, apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. Pre-application advice will not be provided to ascertain if a development is permitted development or not
Advice for developers
We have developed a Planning Protocol which sets out our expectations of developers during the planning process, and how we will work to support them.
How do I get pre-application advice
All enquiries should be submitted on a planning pre-application advice enquiry form.
As a minimum you will need to include the following with your application form:
- a location plan at scale clearly identifying the boundary of the site or building (1:1250 or 1:2500 scale)
- a proposed site layout plan
We aim to make initial contact within ten days for enquiries on major proposals and provide a written response in four weeks for all other enquiries. This is not guaranteed so apply for pre-application advice as far in advance as possible.
When your enquiry has been registered, we will provide the application number and correct fee for you to make a payment.
Pre-application fees
Major applications
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Level 1 Small scale majors - 10 to 49 dwellings (full applications) or up to 1ha site area (outline applications) for residential developments (including change of use from other buildings to residential) 1,000 to 4,999 sqm (full applications) or between 1ha and 2ha outline applications and use of land (includes Registered providers) | £3,000 (£2,600 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Service as part of this application:
- any relevant planning history will be researched
- any necessary internal consultations will be undertaken
- a single meeting which will involve relevant internal consultees
- follow up written summary of the meeting
- validation requirements agreed at meeting to ensure all information is included for formal submission
- site visit carried out by the planning officer if warranted
- notification of elected members
- encouragement to engage with local communities
- final written response including advice on acceptability of the proposal
Target timescales:
- initial officer contact within 10 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Level 2 Medium scale majors - 50 to 199 units or up to 4ha site area (outline applications) for residential developments (including change of use from other buildings to residential) 5,000 to 19,999 sqm or more (full applications) or up to 2ha for outline applications and use of land (includes Registered providers | £6,950 (£5,791.67 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Service as part of this application:
- any relevant planning history will be researched
- any necessary internal consultations will be undertaken
- a meeting which will involve relevant internal consultees
- follow up written summary of the feedback meeting
- site visit carried out by the planning officer if warranted
- notification of and encouragement to engage with elected members and local communities
- feedback meeting and address outstanding issues
- validation requirements agreed at feedback meeting to ensure all information is included for formal submission
- final written response including advice on acceptability of the proposal
Target timescales:
- initial contact within 10 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Level 3 Large scale majors - More than 200 dwellings (full applications) or over 4ha site area or more (outline applications) for residential developments (including change of use from other buildings to residential) 20,000 sqm or more (full applications) commercial floorspace or 2ha or more (outline applications or change of use). Includes all Minerals, Energy and Waste proposals (except where the LPA considers the proposal is small scale, non-complex and will have limited impact, when an alternative category fee as specified will be required. Includes registered providers. | £14,000 (£11,666.67 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Service as part of this application:
- any relevant planning history will be researched
- any necessary internal consultations will be undertaken
- validation requirements agreed to ensure all information is included for formal submission
- site visit carried out by the planning officer
- possible early presentations to the Plans Panel Notification of and encouragement to engage with elected members and local communities
- final written response including advice on acceptability of the proposal
- validation requirements agreed to ensure all information is included for formal submission
- multiple meetings (see below)
Meeting schedule:
- initial meeting arranged, which may involve relevant consultees and written summary of advice provided afterwards
- follow-up meeting, to address issues raised in initial meeting and feedback on revised scheme, including a written record of the discussions
- final meeting to discuss (modified) scheme prior to submission
Target timescales:
- initial contact within 10 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Planning Performance Agreements (PPA) | Min £24,000 (£20,000 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Service as part of this application:
- relevant planning history will be researched
- any necessary internal consultations will be undertaken
- validation requirements agreed to ensure all information is included for formal submission
- agreement of timeline for key milestones
- site visit carried out by the planning officer
- envisaged timescales for responses and progression agreed
- multiple meetings to be agreed at the outset
- possible early presentations to the Plans Panel
- agreement of draft heads of terms for legal agreements if appropriate
- draft conditions if appropriate
Target timescales:
- initial contact within 10 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Follow up meeting after final advice issued | £600 (£500 + VAT) |
Service
Service as part of this application:
- to discuss a single topic following the issue of the final advice (wider discussion requires a new enquiry)
Other major pre app services
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Variation of a single condition of Major or minerals energy or waste application | £2,160 (£1,800 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Service as part of this application:
- officers will arrange a meeting where it is expedient to do so
- arranging necessary internal consultation, as appropriate
- written advice letter detailing the issues and possible solutions
Target timescales:
- initial contact within 10 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Variation of more than one condition/ minor modification/ Non-Material Amendment for Major or minerals application | £4,320 (£3,600 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Service as part of this application:
- any necessary internal consultations will be undertaken
- a single meeting which will involve relevant consultees
- follow up summary of the meeting
- written advice letter detailing the issues and possible solutions
Target timescales:
- initial contact within 10 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Advice discharging conditions per condition - major applications | £390 (£325 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Written advice letter detailing:
- policies relating to the condition and proposed details
- any issues that could affect the proposal
- possible solutions to problems
Target timescales:
- response within 25 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Variation of a Section 106 legal agreement: i) “by agreement” to vary (under s106A(2) , or ii) pre-application advice on a formal application to vary (under s106A(3)) | £2,400 (£2,000 + VAT) Excludes any Legal fees |
Service and target timescales
Depending on the request
- i) Consideration of proposed variation under s106A(2) and if agreed, arrangements made to vary the agreement
- ii) An initial meeting arranged, which may involve relevant consultee(s) and written summary of advice provided thereafter. Follow up written advice. Subsequent application under S106A (3) requires separate fee.
Target timescales:
- initial contact within 10 working days
Minor residential applications
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1-4 residential units - Up to 999m2 commercial retail and other uses and uses of land (includes change of use) | £540 (£450 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Written advice letter detailing:
- policies that affect your planned work
- an appraisal of the planning merits of the proposal
- any issues that could affect your plans
- possible solutions to problems
Target timescales:
- response within 25 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| 5-9 residential units | £900 (£750 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Service as part of this application:
- any relevant planning history will be researched
- any necessary internal consultations will be undertaken
Written advice letter detailing:
- policies that affect your planned work
- an appraisal of the planning merits of the proposal
- any issues that could affect your plans
- possible solutions to problems
Target timescales:
- response within 30 working days
Householder and others category
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| House extensions, outbuildings and alterations within the domestic curtilage | £156 (£130 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Potential site visit (officer’s discretion) and follow up written advice letter detailing:
- policies that affect your planned work
- any issues that could affect your plans
- possible solutions to problems
Target timescales:
- response within 20 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| House alterations and extensions to a Listed Building, including outbuildings and within the domestic curtilage | £216 (£180 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Potential site visit (at officer’s discretion) and follow up written advice letter detailing:
- policies that affect your planned work
- any issues that could affect your plans
- possible solutions to problems
Where appropriate we will seek specialist input to help inform our advice.
Target timescales:
- response within 25 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Advertisements/signs | £180 (£150 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Written advice letter detailing:
- policies that affect your planned work
- any issues that could affect your plans
- possible solutions to problems
Target timescales:
- response within 20 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Telecommunications | £216 (£180 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Written advice letter detailing:
- policies that affect your planned work
- any issues that could affect your plans
- possible solutions to problems
Target timescales:
- response within 20 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Works to a Listed Building without separate planning advice (non-domestic) | £360 (£300 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Written advice letter detailing:
- policies that affect your planned work
- the consideration of any specialist input from consultees sought to inform the advice
- any issues that could affect your plans
- possible solutions to problems
Target timescales:
- response within 25 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Variation of condition of Minor or Other category application. Minor Modification/ Non-Material Amendment of Minor or Other applications | Same fee for original planning application (including VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Written advice letter detailing:
- policies that affect the proposed variation
- the consideration of any specialist input sought from consultees to inform the advice
- any issues that could affect your plans
- possible solutions to problems
Target timescales:
- response within 25 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Advice on discharging conditions, Minor or Other applications | £140 (£112 + VAT) |
Service and target timescales
Written advice letter detailing:
- policies relating to the condition and proposed details
- the consideration of any specialist input from consultees sought to inform the advice
- any issues that could affect the proposal
- possible solutions to problems
Target timescales:
- response within 20 working days
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Advice on other planning matters not covered by the above categories | £600 per 0.5 hectare |
Service and target timescales
Depending on the nature of the query, written advice including:
- the consideration of any specialist input from consultees sought to inform the advice
- any issues that could affect the proposal
- possible solutions to problems
Target timescales:
- initial contact within 10 working days
Pay online
Ensure you have your pre-application reference number. Without this you will be unable to continue to pay.
If you request an invoice for payment for your pre-application enquiry, your enquiry will only be validated upon confirmation of payment. Email planning@leeds.gov.uk with the invoice number and your proof of payment once this has been made.
Pay a pre-application fee onlineDisclaimer
We will make every effort to ensure that the advice given in the pre-application process is as accurate as possible. However, any advice given by council officers does not constitute a formal response or decision of the council with regards to any future planning applications and, whilst it may be a material consideration, cannot be held to bind the council in its validation or formal determination of a subsequent application.
If an application is subsequently submitted which fails to take on board advice given by officers, then the council reserves the right to not enter into further lengthy negotiation with the applicant or agents.
Disclosure
Developers and applicants should be aware that information related to pre-application requests may be subject to requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. The Act and Regulations provide for some exemptions from the need to disclose commercially sensitive information and in cases where applicants consider that specific information is exempt from the requirements of the Act or the regulations, the justification for their position should be provided to the local planning Department.
