View and comment on planning applications

Search and comment on new, existing and historical planning applications in Leeds.

View applications online

You can view planning applications in Leeds using Public Access.

Guide to using Public Access for planning

Type either an application number (for example '21/01234', ignoring any letters), a postcode (such as LS2 8BB), partial address (such as Merrion Way) or a keyword that may appear in the description of the application (for example, hotel) and click on Search.

Use the options on screen to type in or select from the drop-down lists or dates.

Weekly/Monthly lists

View a list of applications validated or decided within a chosen week or month from the past 12 months. Results can be restricted to a single Ward or Parish, if desired.

Type in the property number and street name only to get the best results.

Viewing applications

Once you have found your application(s), you will be able to see key information including important dates and any documents. Online guidance is available on each screen – click Help with this page.

Obtaining measurements from drawings

Drawings or documents that can be scaled or measured are clearly identified in the Measure column. Online guidance is available when a document is opened for measuring.

Making comments

You can comment on most applications which haven’t had a decision, but you need to register and log in to do this. If we are unable to accept comments on the application, it will tell you this on the Comments tab.

Saving searches/Tracking applications

Once registered you can track individual applications and/or save searches and you can opt to be notified by email when something has changed, or new applications have been received.

Search planning applications using Public Access

Comment on an application

To object or comment on an application, you will need to register on Public Access.

You can also write to:

Planning Services
Leeds City Council
Merrion House
110 Merrion Centre
Leeds
LS2 8BB

You will need to include your full name, address and the reference number of the application you want to comment on.

Petitions and proforma (pre-populated) letters are accepted, however, these are logged as a single response, regardless of how many people have signed a petition or returned a proforma (pre-populated) letter.

Individual comments via Public Access or in writing are logged separately for each response.

Your comments will not be personally acknowledged, but any submissions made via Public Access will receive an automatic acknowledgment that your comments have been received.

List of common material considerations you can select when you submit your comments online

When you comment online on Public Access, you may wish to choose a reason (or reasons) by ticking the appropriate box (or boxes), in addition to any other comments you make.             

Common material considerations:             

  • highway safety, parking
  • layout and density of buildings
  • Listed Building, Conservation Area, parks, gardens
  • nature conservation
  • noise and disturbance
  • overshadowing, outlook (not view)
  • overlooking, privacy
  • risk of flooding
  • scale, design and materials
  • sustainability, climate change
  • trees, landscaping
  • visual appearance

We accept comments on:

  • householder applications
  • full planning permission
  • outline permission
  • reserved matter applications
  • Section 73 applications (variation/removal of condition)
  • prior approval householder (the grounds of objection are limited – this is detailed fully in the notification letter sent to all adjoining neighbours)
  • prior approval determination (includes some changes of use and telecommunications developments)

These application types typically have a statutory consultation and publicity period (usually 21 days).

We will not accept comments on:

  • certificate of lawfulness (proposed and existing) applications
  • discharge of conditions
  • advertisement consent
  • listed building consent
  • notifications of proposed works to trees in Conservation Areas
  • works to trees with a Tree Preservation Order

These application types do not include a statutory consultation and publicity period.

To comply with the Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and to protect the privacy of contributors, comments on planning applications are not published on our online planning system. Comments from specialist technical consultees will be published online.

Any comments received will be summarised in the planning officer's report for that application.

The case officer will not normally contact or communicate with third parties.

For more information about how we deal with public comments, read our privacy notice.

When a planning application is referred to the plans panel for a decision, to allow time for the full and detailed consideration of comments, we are unable to accept any comments made after midday the day before.

What happens next

The case officer will weigh up all the material planning issues and local and national guidance relating to a proposal before making a recommendation whether to approve or refuse planning permission.

An objection, even if made on good planning grounds, may not result in refusal of planning permission. Likewise, the absence of objections, when weighted against the overall benefits of the scheme, does not necessarily mean the proposal will be accepted.

What we'll consider

We will only consider comments or objections that are relevant to planning, such as:

  • principle: if you feel the use of land or property should not change
  • overlooking: the proposal would lead to previously private areas being overlooked
  • overshadowing: the height or proximity of the development would be unreasonable, resulting in overshadowing
  • disturbance: there would be unacceptable intrusion in the form of noise nuisance, general disturbance or odour
  • overbearing: the scale of the works means that the property or premises has an oppressive impact on the surrounding area or houses
  • out-of-character: if the design of the development, its scale and use, appears to be out of character with its surroundings
  • road safety: the development may lead to a significant impact on road safety
What we won't consider

We will not consider comments or objections including:

  • issues covered by other legislation
  • encroachment onto another person’s land
  • loss of value to a property, loss of view, and potential difficulties in property maintenance
  • private interests of objectors, the effect of the proposal on property values and competition between rival companies

Site visits

The case officer will not normally carry out a site visit to neighbouring properties unless in the opinion of the case officer it is necessary to also assess the proposal from adjacent property.

Householder and minor commercial applications appeals

If a householder or minor commercial application goes to an appeal that is dealt with as a fast track (expedited procedure), any objections or comments will be passed to the Secretary of State and there will be no opportunity to make any further comments.

Lawful development certificates for an existing or proposed development

Lawful development certificates for an existing or proposed development in pursuant of Sections 191 and 192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, are determined based on a legal test and a matter of fact. For that reason, these types of application are not subject to consultation. If the local planning authority is satisfied that the appropriate legal tests have been met it will grant a lawful development certificate.                                            

The Lawful Development certificate is a legal document stating the lawfulness of the past, present or future building use, operations, or other matters. If granted by the Local Planning Authority, the certificate means that enforcement action cannot be taken against the development referred to in the certificate.                                            

Please note, the certificate will not protect from enforcement action by the planning authority if the specified use is then changed ‘materially’ without a planning application for it.                                            

The certificate is not a planning permission. The planning merits of the use, operation or activity in the application are not relevant. The issue of a certificate depends entirely on factual evidence about the history and planning status of a building or other land and the interpretation of any relevant planning law or judicial authority. The responsibility is on the applicant to provide evidence to support the application.                                            

The only information that is shown on our Public Access website is that prescribed by Regulations relating to a precise description of the application and a copy of the decision notice.                                            

Copyright and limitations

All plans, drawings and material submitted to us when applying for planning permission is protected by the copyright acts (ection 47 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 as amended). You may only use material which is downloaded or printed for consultation purposes, to compare current applications with previous schemes and to check whether developments have been completed in accordance with approved plans. Further copies must not be made without the prior permission of the copyright owner, the applicant or their agent. By clicking on the ‘Search planning applications using Public Access’ button on this page you are agreeing to the above copyright provisions.                                            

Limitations

The online planning history contained in the site may be incomplete and should not be relied on in connection with a property transaction. Anyone wishing to obtain planning information for this purpose is advised to contact Local Land Charges.                                            

Local Development Orders

Local Development Orders (LDO) grant permission for a specified type of development, which means no planning application is needed. Current adopted LDO are: