Planiverse / Authorities / Leeds

Planning permission in Leeds

In the last 12 months, 86.4% of home project applications were approved in Leeds (1,116 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 18,950 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Leeds's public planning register. Data last updated: 22 August 2026.

23,902Total applications
18,950Decided
84.8%Approval rate (of decided)
16,077 Approved+2,873 Refused+695 Withdrawn+2,283 Pending+1,974 Outcome not determined=23,902 Total
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Decision Level
23,709Delegated
56Committee
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) 2,787 2,648 139
95.0%
Discharging planning conditions 2,616 2,224 392
85.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 1,718 1,428 290
83.1%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 775 633 142
81.7%
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) 459 430 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%
Demolition 42 38 4
90.5%
Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) 41 38 3
92.7%
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 627 541
86.3%
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) 95 81
85.3%
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 1,606 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 79.2% in Headingley & Hyde Park to 93.3% in Little London & Woodhouse, a gap of 14.1 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Little London & Woodhouse 1,470 1,372 98
93.3%
Harewood 1,215 1,027 188
84.5%
Horsforth 1,053 918 135
87.2%
Adel & Wharfedale 1,051 874 177
83.2%
Wetherby 995 864 131
86.8%
Roundhay 896 762 134
85.0%
Guiseley & Rawdon 878 754 124
85.9%
Headingley & Hyde Park 841 666 175
79.2%
Otley & Yeadon 647 532 115
82.2%
Calverley & Farsley 626 547 79
87.4%
Alwoodley 620 499 121
80.5%
Hunslet & Riverside 619 553 66
89.3%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Leeds?
In the last 12 months, 86.4% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Leeds, based on 1,116 decided applications. Across all application types, 84.8% of 18,950 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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