Content

Drawings and plans

Requirements for drawings and plans

  • when you submit your planning application, you must include 3 copies of a series of accurate drawings and plans that clearly illustrate what you are proposing
  • inaccurate dimensions and poor overall quality of drawings and plans can lead to enormous difficulties when sites eventually come to be developed
  • all drawings and plans must be of a suitable standard of presentation. Freehand sketches and pencil drawings are not acceptable
  • all dimensions and quantities on drawings must be expressed in metric measurements. Planning application drawings with imperial units will not be accepted.

A complete submission of drawings or plans would include:

Location plan

  • based on up-to-date Ordnance Survey maps at a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500, showing at least two named roads and surrounding land and buildings. Site location plans can be purchased via the Planning Portal website.
  • the properties shown must be numbered so that there is no misunderstanding about the exact location of the application site
  • the site of the application must be edged clearly with a red line. It should include all land necessary to carry out the proposed development - for example, land required for landscaping, or car parking and open areas around buildings such as gardens
  • for a householder application, the red line must be drawn around the boundaries of the house and garden and not, for example, just around the ground area a proposed extension may occupy.
  • a blue line must be drawn around any other land owned by the applicant close to or adjoining the application site.

Site plan

  • drawn to scale to show the relationship of the proposal to the site boundary and any buildings on adjacent land.

Floorplans

  • usually at a scale of 1:100, although if a 1:50 scale is used for the elevational drawings it is better to maintain the same scale throughout the submission.

Elevations

  • usually at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100. There must be an elevational drawing of all sides of the proposed buildings
  • for extensions and elevational alterations, the elevations should illustrate the existing buildings/existing elevations, and in particular show the relationship between windows and door openings.

If appropriate, you may also be required to provide:

Contextual drawing

  • showing a street scene of the proposed development in relation to neighbouring buildings.

Skip to: