Find out what information you need for your planning application to be valid.
For a planning application to be valid it must include the relevant forms, plans and other details to provide sufficient information to determine the application. This page explains the requirements.
In all cases the information we request will be necessary and in proportion to the nature and scale of the proposal and a material consideration in determining the application.
A householder application should be submitted for proposals to alter or enlarge a single house, including works within the boundary/garden of a house.
The following reports, assessments and statements may be required pending the type of application you are submitting and the criteria of the local area:
The following reports, assessments and statements may be required pending the type of application you are submitting and the criteria of the local area:
Air quality assessment
Biodiversity - bats
Biodiversity - Net Gain
Biodiversity – wind turbines and birds
Coal recovery report
Coal mining risk assessment report
Daylight/Sunlight assessment
Policies
UDPR Policy BD5 and GP5
Requirements
Where adverse impact on current levels.
Environmental and amenity impact and mitigation report
Policies
NPPG external link on ‘Low Carbon and Renewable Energy’
UDP Policy GP5
Policies Waste 9 and Minerals 9 of the NRWLP (2013/15)
Requirements
The report shall identify and provide mitigation for all relevant impacts, as a minimum, those listed in policies Waste 9, Minerals 9 and GP5.
All development that relates to energy, waste and mineral development.
Environmental statement
Policies
EIA Regulations 2017 external link
Requirements
An Environmental Impact Statement is required for all schedule 1 applications and for schedule 2 applications where appropriate.
Before submitting your planning application, you are advised to submit a Screening Request for Schedule 2 to check whether an EIA is required.
Flood risk assessment
Foul sewerage, surface water drainage utilities assessment
Policies
UDPR Policy GP5
Natural Resources and Waste Local Plan – Policies WATER 6 and 7
Leeds SPG 22 Sustainable Drainage in Leeds
Requirements
For sites of 1 ha or more in zone 1 and new development in zones 2 and 3.
Drainage plan:
If the development is for a simple change of use, or minor i.e. less than 250 sq m, then a plan drainage plan showing pipe sizes, cover and invert levels and outfall location is required. Showing the existing/proposed drainage connections would be required along with the relevant approval. Please refer to our
advice for developers page.
Flood Risk Assessment:
Developments outside of the criteria above will require a Foul and Surface Water Drainage Assessment to be provided. In addition, for sites within Flood Zone 2 or 3 or generally greater than 1 ha, then a Flood Risk Assessment will also be required which should include details of the proposed surface water management strategy.
The
Flood Risk requirements table (PDF, 77KB) outlines what information should be submitted for each application type. This information should be provided to enable us to review the application in full and hopefully provide a faster decision. Where the information stated is not provided, then there is the possibility that the application may not be validated and it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the relevant information is submitted in a suitable format.
Glint and glare assessment
Policies
NPPG external link on ‘Low Carbon and Renewable Energy’ (para. 13)
Requirements
A Glint and Glare Assessment report to identify the risk of solar reflections on aviation, road users and living and working conditions. For all developments which could result in solar reflection (glint and/or glare).
Heritage statement
Requirements
Where a proposal is likely to affect a heritage asset or impact upon its setting.
Demolition in Conservation Areas.
In addition for listed building applications.
References
Historic England - Planning external link
Land contamination
Policies
National Planning Policy Framework external link
Environmental Protection Act 1990 external link
Requirements
A single house in a pre-existing garden
You must submit:
- a written review of historical maps dating back to 1850 as a minimum
- a statement regarding whether you think contamination may have occurred and if further investigation is needed
You may be required to provide:
- a landfill search
- a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment (Desk Study Report)
Vulnerable end uses such as allotments, schools, nurseries, or residential development
You must submit:
- a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment (Desk Study Report)
Low vulnerability end uses such as offices, shops and industrial premises
You may be required to provide:
- a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment (Desk Study Report) if on brownfield land, or within 250m of a Landfill site
Following validation, should a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment (Desk Study Report) or other information indicate that there may be contamination at a site - a Phase 2 Site Investigation and Risk Assessment Report and/or a Phase 3 Remediation Strategy may also be required.
You can find guidance on report requirements in the YALPAG documents on the
Contaminated land page.
References
Contaminated land
Landscaping
Policies
National Planning Policy Framework external link
UDPR Policies
Core Strategy
Neighbourhoods for Living
Greening the Built Edge
Requirements
All applications which have landscaping:
Details on layout plan as minimum for all applications.
Major applications:
Landscaping plan at a scale of 1:200 including:
- existing planting and all trees/shrubs to be removed
- size, species, density and position of all shrubs/trees
- existing and proposed boundary treatments hard standing/parking
- any levels to be altered
References
Landscape planning and development
Lighting assessment
Policies
National Planning Policy Framework external link
Requirements
Where external lighting proposed in a residential area or conservation area:
Lighting scheme including hours of use, assessment of light pollution/trespass, upward light output ratio (ULOR) and overall lighting levels.
References
N/A
Noise assessment
Parking provision
Policies
Core Strategy Policies T1, T2 and EN8
Leeds Transport SPD (see references)
Requirements
Any application likely to generate parking requirements:
Existing and proposed parking arrangements (including disabled, cycle and motorcycle parking).
Cycle storage areas.
References
Leeds Transport SPD (PDF, 12.7MB)
Planning obligations – see also Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
Sand and gravel minerals safeguarding
Requirements
Mineral Recovery Reports and Prior-Extraction Opportunities.
If development is located within the defined Mineral Safeguarding Area for Sand and Gravel, then the requirements of policy Minerals 2 of the NRWLP (2013/15) are relevant for development over 1 hectare in size.
and/or:
If development is located within the defined Mineral Safeguarding Area for Surface Coal, then the requirements of policy Minerals 3 of the NRWLP (2013/15) are relevant for non-householder development and at non-development sites.
Safeguarding minerals and waste sites
Policies
Natural Resources and Waste Local Plan Policy Minerals 4, 12, 13(2), 14 and Waste 2
Requirements
Statement justifying the application and why the use is no longer needed.
Full, Outline and Reserved Matters within Minerals and Waste Safeguarding areas.
Statement of community involvement
Policies
Adopted and interim SCI National Planning Policy Framework
Requirements
Statement of Community Involvement including details of consultations, a summary of responses and how these have been taken into consideration.
Major developments and other sensitive schemes.
References
Statement of Community Involvement
Structural Survey for Green Belt Development or Demolition in a Conservation Area
Policies
UDPR Policy GB4 GB9
Requirements
Involves substantial demolition, extension or rebuild or to prove sound condition. Particularly affecting barn conversions in Green Belt.
Demolition in a Conservation Area.
Sustainability statement (Energy statement)
Tall buildings
Town centres uses – sequential test
Policies
National Planning Policy Framework external link
Core Strategy Policies P4, P8
Requirements
The statement should address the matters raised in policy.
Main town centre uses as defined by the policy – except for extensions to retail or leisure uses where the gross floorspace of the proposed extension is 200 sq m or less.
Main town centre uses proposed outside a defined centre and are not in accordance with an up to date development plan.
Town centres uses – impact assessment
Policies
National Planning Policy Framework external link
Core Strategy Policies P4, P8
Requirements
- Retail and leisure developments over 2,500 sq m not in a defined centre and not in accordance with an up to date development plan
- Retail and leisure developments under 2,500 sq m not in a defined centre and not in accordance with an up to date development plan that would be likely to have a significant impact on other centres
- Main town centre uses (as defined by the policy) in an existing centre, which are not in accordance with the development plan and would substantially increase the attraction of the centre to an extent that the development could have an impact on other centres
References
N/A
Transport assessment/statement
Travel plans
Trees
Ventilation
Policies
UDPR Policy GP5
Requirements
Position and design of ventilation and extraction equipment, including odour abatement techniques and acoustic noise characteristics.
Restaurants/cafes, drinking establishments, hot food takeaways and significant retail, business, industrial or leisure or other similar developments where substantial ventilation or extraction equipment is proposed to be installed.
Visual representations
Requirements
Visual information may include photographs, artists impressions and computer generated images.
Will include major developments and proposals affecting Conservation Areas or having a significant impact in Conservation Areas.
Waste and refuse collection
Requirements
All developments:
Sufficient space will be provided within all new developments (including conversions) to enable separation, storage and collection of recyclable materials to take place.
To be shown on site layout plan:
- bin storage area
- waste collection point
Wind study
Wind turbines (onshore wind development)
Requirements
More than 2 turbines or where hub height for any turbine exceeds 15 metres:
Compulsory pre-application consultation with local community. Provide details of how this was done, responses received and the account taken of responses.
References
UK Statutory Instruments 2013 No. 2932 external link This type of application will be necessary where a condition in a planning permission or a listed building consent requires details of a specified aspect of the development (which was not fully described in the original application) to be approved by the local planning authority before the development can begin.
Any other relevant drawings, plans or information to support the application including details of the permission to which the application for approval of details relates and which conditions are the subject of the application.
Acoustic report where relevant.
Detailed tree plan
A plan which clearly identifies the tree or trees on which work is proposed and, where relevant, details the property(ies) impacted by the subject tree(s).
Such information as is necessary to clearly specify the work for which consent is sought.
Use clear terminology such as “fell” and “crown lift” and be clear in the number of trees affected by the proposed works.
Guidance
The Arboricultural Association has useful guidance:
The terminology of tree works external link
Tree pruning external link
Statement
Statement with the reasons for making the application.
Applicants are advised not to submit an application until they are in a position to present clear proposals.
You are strongly advised to obtain professional advice prior to consideration of works. The Arboricultural Association has useful guidance on
choosing your tree surgeon external link.
Tree replacement proposal
If applying for consent to remove or fell trees then proposals for replacement planting must be provided making clear the number, size, species and location of the replacement trees along with a timescale for planting.
Additional evidence
There is a legal requirement that proposed work must be supported with relevant evidence, such as reports, visual tree assessments and monitoring tables, from suitably qualified people.
Suitably qualified people
General tree work:
Arborist Contractor/ Arboricultural Consultant
Diseased or dangerous trees:
Arborist Contractor/ Arboricultural Consultant
Damage to property:
Structural Engineer/Drains Specialist and Arborist Contactor/ Arboricultural Consultant
Some addtional evidence from a suitably qualified person will be required in the following cases:
Damage to property
Where damage to property by trees is alleged then evidence that the tree is a material cause of the problem and that other factors have been eliminated as potential influences so far as possible is required. Evidence from a suitably qualified person will be expected.
Damage to structures and surfaces
Where damage to structures and surfaces such as garden walls, drains, paving and drives is alleged technical evidence from a relevant engineer, building/drainage surveyor or other appropriate expert must be provided.
Diseased trees
Where felling is proposed due to disease or structural problems with the tree evidence of the damage and disease is required including photographs, written description of the issue and where necessary assessment by a suitably qualified person.
The RHS website has general advice regarding
trees and damage to structures external link.
Local requirements
The following information is also required by Leeds City Council for every application:
Photographs
Where possible photographs of the trees including their relationship with other trees/vegetation/buildings.
This helps with clear identification of the tree and potential impacts of the work.
Supporting information
A full and clear specification of the works to be carried out.
Details of any assistance or advice sought from a Local Planning Authority.
Applications for works to trees within a Conservation Area that do not have a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
Applications for works to trees within a Conservation Area that do not have a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). Also known as a Section 211 (s211) notice.
All applications must include the following information:
National information requirements
Detailed tree plan
A plan detailing location of tree(s) and any relevant buildings/structures must be identifiable so street names and house numbers needed. Where possible indicate distances to buildings/structures and extent of tree canopies if the tree is considered to be impacting on buildings/structures.
Description of works
Date submitted
It is important that you state the date the application is submitted.
Local requirements
The following information is also required by Leeds City Council for every application:
Photographs
Where possible photographs of the trees showing the affected trees individually and within their setting, include relevant buildings/structures or boundaries.
Supporting reports and statements
Supporting reports and statements should be from suitably qualified people.
Suitably qualified people
General tree work:
Arborist Contractor/ Arboricultural Consultant
Diseased or dangerous trees:
Arborist Contractor/ Arboricultural Consultant
Damage to property:
Structural Engineer/Drains Specialist and Arborist Contactor/ Arboricultural Consultant
Permission from owner
Supporting information
The following additional information may be required as appropriate:
Details of any assistance or advice sought from a Local Planning Authority. An applicant should not submit a s211 notice until they are in a position to present clear proposals.
All works should comply with relevant British Standards:
BS3998: 2010 Recommendations for Tree Works
BS5837: 2012 Recommendations for Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction
Guidance should be sought from an appropriately qualified person prior to submission.
Leeds City Council will not accept applications that do not meet relevant requirements including appropriate evidence.
