A location plan (also called a site location plan) shows where your site is and what surrounds it. Almost every planning application needs one, and councils will not accept an application as valid until the location plan meets their requirements. This checklist covers what most councils in England, Wales and Scotland ask for.
Location plan checklist
- An up-to-date Ordnance Survey map. Many councils ask for mapping bought from a licensed supplier within the last 12 months. Photocopies, screenshots and Land Registry title plans are usually refused.
- A standard scale: 1:1250 or 1:2500. Use 1:1250 for most sites, such as houses, gardens and town centre plots. Use 1:2500 for large or rural sites. The scale and paper size should be printed on the plan, for example "1:1250 on A4".
- A4 or A3 paper. The plan must print at the stated scale on one of these sizes.
- A red line around the application site. Include all the land needed for the development: access from the road, visibility splays, parking, landscaping and gardens or open space around the buildings.
- A blue line around any other land you own that is next to or near the site, if there is any.
- Enough of the surroundings to find the site. Show at least two named roads where possible. If that isn't possible, one named road and a landmark such as a church, river or farm.
- A north arrow.
- The Ordnance Survey copyright notice and licence number.
Every Streetwise location plan is printed with the scale and paper size, a scale bar, a north arrow, the Ordnance Survey copyright and licence number, and the date it was produced. You can draw your red line boundary on screen before you buy.
How much area should the plan show?
The standard Streetwise location plan covers 2 hectares at 1:1250 on A4 (141m x 141m), which most councils accept for a house or small site. If you can't fit two named roads in that area, choose a larger plan: 4 hectares at 1:1250 (200m x 200m) or 16 hectares at 1:2500 (400m x 400m) for farms and large rural sites.
Do I need a block plan as well?
Usually, yes. Most councils also ask for a block plan (also called a site plan) at 1:500 or 1:200, which shows the building work itself and its distance to the boundaries. See location plan vs block plan for the difference and what a block plan should show.
Check your council's local list
Requirements vary between councils. Before you submit, check the validation checklist (sometimes called the "local list") on your council's website, especially for unusual sites or large developments.
Buy your location plan
Streetwise location plans start from £11 + VAT for a 2 hectare plan at 1:1250, and are emailed to you straight away as PDF, MS Word, image or CAD files. Prices for every size are on our prices page.
