The Leicester planning portal is an important starting point when considering an extension, conversion, new building or change of use within the city. It provides public access to current and historic planning records handled by Leicester City Council.

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A search can reveal previous applications affecting a property, nearby planning decisions and the types of development that have been considered across the city. This can be helpful when preparing proposals in areas including the city centre, Clarendon Park, Knighton, Stoneygate, Evington, Highfields, Belgrave, Rushey Mead, Humberstone, Aylestone, Braunstone and Westcotes.

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Planning Application Services brings more than 40 years of experience in residential design, planning and property-related consultancy to projects in Leicester and across the country. We can research the planning history, advise on the most appropriate application route, prepare the required plans and manage the application submission.

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How to Search the Leicester Planning Portal

 

The Leicester City Council planning portal can be used to search for an application when the planning reference is known. The council also provides a mapping system for searches based on an address or postcode.

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When the reference number is unavailable, begin with the property address or postcode. It can then be useful to broaden the search to the surrounding street or neighbourhood to identify comparable development.

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The planning register may provide access to:

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• Application forms and development descriptions

• Location plans and block plans

• Existing and proposed drawings

• Planning, design and heritage statements

• Consultation responses and public comments

• Planning officer reports

• Decision notices and planning conditions

• Appeal information and revised documents

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A wider Leicester planning portal search can show how similar extensions, loft conversions, changes of use, new homes or commercial projects have previously been considered.

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Earlier approvals can provide useful background, but they do not guarantee that a new proposal will be accepted. Each application is assessed according to its individual site, design, surroundings and the planning policies in force at the time.

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The register is also not a replacement for a formal local land charge search, and the council warns that not every document or record will necessarily be available online.

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Different Types of Leicester City Planning Applications

 

The correct application route depends on the proposed development, the type of property and whether permitted development rights remain available.

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Householder Planning Applications

 

Householder applications commonly cover work to an existing home, including:

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• Single and two-storey extensions

• Side and rear extensions

• Front extensions and porches

• Loft conversions and dormer windows

• Roof alterations

• Balconies and roof terraces

• Garages, garden rooms and outbuildings

• Changes to windows, doors and external materials

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These applications normally require existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, site plans and other drawings necessary to explain the development clearly.

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Full Planning Applications

 

A full application may be required for:

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• New houses and replacement dwellings

• Property subdivision and flat conversions

• Commercial and mixed-use development

• Changes of use

• New business premises

• Development outside the householder category

• Larger residential schemes

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Depending on the scale and location, additional documents may be required covering design, access, transport, drainage, biodiversity, trees, heritage or neighbouring amenity.

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Lawful Development Certificates

 

A Lawful Development Certificate can provide formal confirmation that proposed or existing work is lawful.

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This application route may be suitable for certain extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings or changes of use that comply with permitted development legislation. Leicester City Council recommends applying for a Lawful Development Certificate where formal confirmation of permitted development is required.

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Prior Approval Applications

 

Some forms of development do not require a full planning application but must still be notified to the council through the prior approval process.

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This can apply to certain:

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• Larger home extensions

• Commercial-to-residential changes of use

• Agricultural buildings

• Telecommunications equipment

• Demolition proposals

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The proposal must comply with the relevant permitted development class and may still be assessed against specific matters such as transport, flooding, noise or neighbouring amenity.

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Retrospective Planning Applications

 

A retrospective application may be needed when work has already been completed without the required planning permission.

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PAS can measure the completed development, prepare accurate as-built drawings and assemble the application documents. Retrospective applications are assessed against the relevant planning policies in the same way as proposals submitted before construction.

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Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas

 

Leicester contains numerous listed buildings, historic neighbourhoods and conservation areas. Proposals affecting these properties may require:

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• Planning permission

• Listed Building Consent

• Detailed window and door drawings

• A heritage statement

• Existing and proposed sections

• Material and construction details

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For development in a conservation area, Leicester City Council requires a heritage statement explaining the significance of the site, the effect of the proposed work and how any harm has been addressed.

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Other Application Types

 

Leicester city planning also covers:

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• Outline planning applications

• Reserved matters

• Advertisement consent

• Works to protected trees

• Non-material amendments

• Variation or removal of planning conditions

• Discharge of planning conditions

• Demolition and redevelopment

• Commercial signage and shopfront alterations

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Selecting the correct application type is essential. An incorrectly prepared application may be rejected before it is formally registered.

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Plans and Drawings for Every Type of Project

 

Most planning applications require accurate plans that clearly show the existing site and the proposed development.

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With more than 40 years of property and planning experience, PAS can prepare plans for:

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• House extensions and loft conversions

• Garage conversions and garden buildings

• New houses and replacement dwellings

• Flats, HMOs and property subdivisions

• Commercial and mixed-use development

• Changes of use

• Shopfronts and business premises

• Replacement windows and doors

• Listed buildings and conservation area projects

• Retrospective applications

• Lawful Development Certificates

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Depending on the project, the drawing package may include:

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• Location and block plans

• Existing and proposed floor plans

• Existing and proposed elevations

• Roof plans

• Site sections

• Street-scene drawings

• Detailed window and door drawings

• Three-dimensional illustrations

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The drawings must provide enough information for the planning officer to assess the scale, appearance and effect of the proposal on the property, neighbouring buildings and the surrounding area.

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Planning Consultancy Before You Apply

 

Not every project should proceed directly to an application. Planning consultancy can identify important constraints and opportunities before the design is finalised.

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PAS can undertake a desktop planning assessment covering:

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• The property’s planning history

• Comparable applications in the surrounding area

• Leicester City Council planning policies

• Permitted development rights

• Conservation area and listed building restrictions

• Design, scale and appearance

• Privacy, daylight and neighbouring amenity

• Parking, access and highway considerations

• The correct application route

• The plans and reports likely to be required

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This is particularly valuable for new homes, property conversions, larger extensions, changes of use, commercial development and sites with previous refusals.

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Pre-Application Advice Before Submission

 

Pre-application advice allows a proposal to be assessed before a formal application is submitted.

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PAS can provide independent pre-application advice based on the planning history, relevant policies, site constraints and proposed design. This can often be completed more quickly than waiting for a formal council response.

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Where appropriate, we can also prepare and submit a formal pre-application enquiry to Leicester City Council.

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The council’s paid pre-application service can advise on whether a proposal is likely to be acceptable, relevant planning policies, technical matters, required application documents and the need for specialist reports. A site plan, description, drawings or dimensioned sketches and supporting photographs should normally accompany the enquiry.

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Pre-application advice can help establish:

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• Whether the development is acceptable in principle

• Whether the scale or design should be revised

• Which application type should be used

• Whether specialist reports are likely to be required

• Whether heritage, transport or neighbouring issues need attention

• Whether proceeding to a formal application is justified

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Although pre-application advice cannot guarantee planning permission, it can reduce avoidable risk and help produce a stronger submission.

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Preparing and Submitting the Application

 

Once the design and application route have been agreed, PAS can prepare and coordinate the complete submission.

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Our service can include:

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• Searching the Leicester planning portal

• Reviewing relevant planning history and policies

• Preparing existing and proposed drawings

• Producing location and block plans

• Preparing planning, design and heritage statements

• Coordinating specialist reports

• Completing the application forms

• Checking national and local validation requirements

• Submitting the application

• Liaising with the planning authority during validation

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Leicester City Council requires applications to satisfy both national and local validation requirements. Applications without the correct plans or supporting documents may be declared invalid and will not progress until the missing information is supplied.

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Planning Across Leicester

 

Leicester includes dense city-centre development, Victorian and Edwardian suburbs, established residential estates, commercial districts, historic neighbourhoods and areas undergoing regeneration.

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Planning considerations can vary significantly across the city. A proposal may need to address local character, neighbouring amenity, parking, highway access, heritage, flood risk, biodiversity, design quality and the cumulative effect of previous development.

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A properly researched Leicester city planning proposal should therefore respond to its particular property and location rather than relying entirely on examples approved elsewhere.

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Planning Application Support

 

Planning Application Services can search the Leicester City Council planning portal, prepare plans and drawings for all types of projects, provide experienced planning consultancy and pre-application advice, and manage complete planning submissions throughout Leicester.