Planiverse / Authorities / Leeds

Planning permission in Leeds

In the last 12 months, 86.3% of home project applications were approved in Leeds (1,162 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 54 days).

Across all application types, 84.8% of 18,907 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Leeds's public planning register. Data last updated: 8 August 2026.

23,641Total applications
18,907Decided
84.8%Approval rate (of decided)
16,037 Approved+2,870 Refused+695 Withdrawn+2,064 Pending+1,975 Outcome not determined=23,641 Total
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Decision Level
23,449Delegated
54Committee
By Development Category

All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 8,472 6,966 1,506
82.2%
Protected tree works (TPO) 2,760 2,621 139
95.0%
Discharging planning conditions 2,612 2,221 391
85.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 1,712 1,423 289
83.1%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 773 631 142
81.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 592 485 107
81.9%
Listed Building Consent 542 500 42
92.3%
Advertisement Consent 514 434 80
84.4%
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 457 428 29
93.7%
Permitted Development Determination 203 141 62
69.5%
Phone masts and telecoms 69 32 37
46.4%
Outline Planning 43 22 21
51.2%
Prior approval (permitted development) 42 25 17
59.5%
Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) 41 38 3
92.7%
Demolition 40 37 3
92.5%
Other* 35 33 2 mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Notification of Overhead Line (13), Modify or Discharge S106 Agreement (13), Planning Permission in Principle (4), Modification of Section 106 Agreement (2), Tree works in a conservation area (2), Transport and Works Act 1992 (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 898 777
86.5%
Q4 2023 1,583 1,353
85.5%
Q1 2024 1,465 1,213
82.8%
Q2 2024 1,386 1,173
84.6%
Q3 2024 1,316 1,136
86.3%
Q4 2024 1,564 1,321
84.5%
Q1 2025 1,448 1,221
84.3%
Q2 2025 1,771 1,525
86.1%
Q3 2025 1,720 1,468
85.3%
Q4 2025 1,713 1,414
82.5%
Q1 2026 1,493 1,246
83.5%
Q2 2026 43 39
90.7%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 52 41
78.8%
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 1,600 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 79.1% in Headingley & Hyde Park to 93.5% in Little London & Woodhouse, a gap of 14.4 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Little London & Woodhouse 1,467 1,371 96
93.5%
Harewood 1,215 1,027 188
84.5%
Adel & Wharfedale 1,050 873 177
83.1%
Horsforth 1,045 910 135
87.1%
Wetherby 994 863 131
86.8%
Roundhay 895 761 134
85.0%
Guiseley & Rawdon 875 751 124
85.8%
Headingley & Hyde Park 839 664 175
79.1%
Otley & Yeadon 646 531 115
82.2%
Calverley & Farsley 625 546 79
87.4%
Alwoodley 620 499 121
80.5%
Hunslet & Riverside 617 551 66
89.3%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Leeds?
In the last 12 months, 86.3% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Leeds, based on 1,162 decided applications. Across all application types, 84.8% of 18,907 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Leeds?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Leeds in the last 12 months was 54 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Leeds?
It depends on the project and the property. Many home projects fall under permitted development rights, but constraints such as conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions change what needs permission at a specific address. See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.
Do I need a planning consultant in Leeds?
Many home projects do not need one. A straightforward extension on an unconstrained property is often handled directly with the council, or with an architect or agent preparing the drawings. A consultant is more likely to earn their fee where the site is constrained, the council has refused similar schemes, or an appeal is in prospect. Understanding your property's constraints and the council's recent decisions first makes any conversation with a professional a better-informed one.
Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights, Article 4 directions and planning costs.

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