Your location plan must include a red line around the application site – without this, we can't accept your application.
For your planning application to be valid, it must include:
- the completed planning application form
- relevant supporting documentation (known as validation requirements)
- plans of the site
- the correct fee
- a statement of ownership - if your development affects land owned by someone else, you must fill in the relevant part of the application form
If you would like further advice before you submit your application we offer a pre-application advice service.
You can check if there are any planning constraints (such as protected hedgerows, conservation areas) in your area by using the Natural environment planning constraints map.
Planning application protocols
Depending on your application type, your application will be dealt with in accordance with these protocols:
Householder applications protocol
This protocol is to support the expedient processing of householder applications and sets out the process and standards applicants of householder applications should expect and aligns with our Planning Protocol Delivering growth, working together.
The expectation is that planning applications, including retrospective applications, are compliant with relevant Leeds Development Plan policies, for householder applications this is the Householder Design Guide. Where applications comply with relevant policies, the planning case officer will recommend an approval.
Where proposals are unacceptable in principle, are found to lack important basic information or would need to be significantly amended or re-designed to comply with our planning policies and supplementary planning guidance, then planning permission will normally be refused without any negotiation or communication. The pre-application advice service should be used for guidance on revised proposals prior to any resubmission.
Where applications require minor amendments for them to be acceptable, the applicant or agent will be contacted in writing, with the changes that are required and deadline for submission (date when revised plans should be received, or when the application should be withdrawn to avoid a decision). A revised plan form is required to be completed and returned. Attention will also be drawn to the next steps depending on the applicant’s response:
- should the applicant not wish to make the changes, or if revised plans are not received by the deadline, the application will be determined based on the original submission
- if revised plans are submitted by the deadline, the application will be determined on those revised plans even where they do not reflect officer advice
There will only be this single opportunity to send in revised plans which reflect the officer’s advice. Please note, after this point no further communication or negotiations will be entered into regarding the detail of the application. Where revised plans are submitted that reflect the changes or make changes which are equally acceptable, a recommendation of approval will be made.
Retrospective applications will be subject to the same process as set out above.
Following a decision, we will be unable to communicate with you further on this application. For further discussions about the development, please make a pre application enquiry. Public Access should be used to track the progress of an application; the planning case officer will not routinely provide a written or verbal update.
This protocol reflects national planning policy which states that decisions on applications should be made as quickly as possible and that local planning authorities should approach decisions on proposed development in a positive and creative way using the range of planning tools available. Where schemes are unacceptable and the decision is made the pre-application service will be offered to discuss alternative schemes, but no further communication or negotiations will be entered into regarding the refused application itself.
Minor and other (Non-major) applications protocol
This protocol is to support the timely processing of Minor and Other types of planning applications and sets out the process and standards applicants should expect. It aligns with our joint Planning Protocol with the Leeds Chamber of Commerce, Delivering Growth, Working Together. There is a separate protocol specifically for Householder applications.
The starting point is that applications will be decided in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Where they are acceptable, the case officer will recommend approval the earliest opportunity.
With agreement of the authority, an application may be amended after it has been submitted. However, the Development Management service works in accordance with the following working practices unless we believe that there are exceptional circumstances that justify a different approach to a particular application; entering into negotiation on applications only on an exceptional basis at the discretion of the case officer, and only on minor changes that do not require further publicity or significantly alter the submitted scheme.
The service will ordinarily not negotiate on applications where:
- a proposal is unacceptable in principle
- further marketing, ecology or other surveys taking an extended period to complete are required
- in our opinion the amendment required would result in a fundamentally different proposal
- a proposal is not acceptable on submission and is not in accordance with pre-application advice
Where an application requires amendments for it to be acceptable, the case officer will contact the applicant in writing and describe where the changes or clarifications are required and by when (a specified date by which revised plans or further information should be received, or by when the application should be withdrawn to avoid a decision). A revised plan form will also need to be completed and returned. Attention will also be drawn to the next steps depending on the applicant’s response:
Where revised plans are submitted that reflect the changes or make changes which are equally acceptable, a recommendation of approval will be made.
- should the applicant not wish to make the changes, or if revised plans are not submitted by the specified date, the application will be determined based on the original submission. If revised plans are submitted by the specified date but they do not reflect officer advice, the application will still be determined based on those revised plans
- there will only be this single opportunity to send in revised plans which reflect the officer’s advice. Please note, after this point no further communication or negotiations will be entered into regarding the detail of the application, except as part of a subsequent pre-application submission
Pre-application enquiries
Applicants and agents are strongly advised to submit a pre-application enquiry if advice on a scheme is required and to ascertain the likelihood of officer support for a formal application.
Planning validation requirements
See the planning application validation requirements page for full details of the supporting information you need to include with your application.
Local validation requirements
Householder applications - extending your home
Apply for extensions to houses, bungalows, garages or other developments in the garden of a house (but not a flat) online using the Planning Portal.
Your planning application will only be approved if it is in line with the Householder Design Guide (PDF 64KB).
You should receive planning permission within eight weeks and you wouldn't need to contact us during this time. We will contact you in writing to let you know if any changes are needed and provide a new deadline for revised plans.
If your revised plans do not follow the advice given, this could mean your application will be refused and you will not be able to send further revisions.
For large single storey extensions which are permitted development (for example, don't need full planning permission), you will need to notify us through the prior approvals process instead.
Advertisements
Some adverts will need a formal advertisement consent. Apply for permission to erect or display a sign, notice or advertisement online through the Planning Portal.
Find out what supporting information to include with an advertisement consent application.
Deemed consent
Some adverts don't need consent, which is known as Deemed Consent. It is subject to certain restrictions that normally relate to:
- the number or locations of adverts or signs permitted
- size of the display
- its height above ground
- the size of any lettering
- whether or not it is illuminated
There are additional restrictions in areas designated as an Area of Special Control of Advertisements and in Conservation Areas.
Protected trees and hedgerows
For guidance and application forms for working on protected trees, please see our Tree works and preservation page.
For guidance and to apply to remove a protected hedgerow, see our Protected countryside hedgerows page.
Application fees
You can find out how much your application will cost by using the online fee calculator.
You may also be required to pay a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) if your new floor area exceeds 100 square metres.
You will need to fill out a form for CIL even if you do not need to pay.
Invalid planning applications
If your application is invalid due to incomplete or incorrect information being submitted, we will write to you confirming the missing or incorrect information.
You will have 21 days to submit the information or contact us to discuss.
Administration charges on invalid planning applications
We make an administrative charge if we return a submission prior to validation to cover processing costs:
- Householder applications - £40
- Advertisement consent - £30
- Minor commercial applications - £65
- Major applications - £220
- Condition discharges - £20
Payments can be made by phone on 0113 378 4385 from 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30am to 4:30pm on Friday, or you can pay online.
How to apply
The easiest way to apply for planning permission is online using the Planning Portal.
You can also apply by post using a paper application form on the Planning Portal. Please note there will be a delay in registering postal applications.
There are some types of applications that need to be sent to us directly and not through the online system.
Outline Planning Permission and Reserved Matters
If you are submitting an outline proposal for planning permission or you have been granted outline permission and want to add more details then you can find out more information and apply on the Planning Portal. You will still need to refer to the validation requirements in your application.
Amending an application after permission
You may be able to make small changes to your existing permission without having to make a new planning application. This doesn't include listed building consent or other forms of consent.
If you already have Building Regulations approval then you will also need to let your Building Control Service provider know of the changes.
For further information see the Planning Portal advice on making an application for a non-material amendment following a grant of planning permission.
Discharging conditions
If there is a condition on your planning application which requires further details of a certain aspect of the development you will need to apply for approval of the condition.
When applying for a condition to be discharged please ensure that the information, details, and drawings submitted are comprehensive and meet the condition requirement as the request will be assessed on the information submitted.
There is no opportunity to significantly amend or submit further information or enter into discussions. Where a condition cannot be discharged due to insufficient or unacceptable information provided, clear reasons will be given and a resubmission will be required.
Planning obligations
Planning obligations or Section 106 agreements are legal charges and the land itself, rather than the person or organisation that develops the land, is bound by. Find out more about planning obligations and Section 106 agreements.