General Questions

What are OS Planning Maps? OS Planning Maps are professional, detailed Ordnance Survey maps specifically formatted and licensed for use in planning applications. They include essential elements like north arrows, scale bars, and site boundaries required by local authorities.

Do OS Planning Maps meet planning requirements? Yes, they meet all local authority planning requirements, comply with national planning guidelines, and are accepted by all UK councils across the United Kingdom.

How long has ukmapcentre.com been supplying planning maps? Ukmapcentre.com is a premium trusted Ordnance Survey Partner with over 20 years of experience supplying planning maps.

How quickly can I get my planning map? Planning maps are delivered with fast turnaround and no waiting or approval delays.

What's included with each planning map? Each map includes a north arrow, scale bar, your site boundary, fully licensed Ordnance Survey mapping, and professional formatting suitable for submission to councils.

Choosing the Right Scale

What's the most popular option for planning applications? The 1:500 & 1:1250 Planning Pack is the most popular choice as it provides both a block plan (1:500) and location plan (1:1250) - the complete planning solution required by most councils.

What's the difference between a Block Plan and Location Plan? A Location Plan (typically 1:1250) shows your site in its surrounding context with neighboring properties and streets. A Block Plan (typically 1:500) shows a more detailed view of the actual site boundary and immediate surroundings.

Which scale should I use for a standard residential planning application? Most residential applications require a 1:1250 location plan and a 1:500 block plan. The Planning Pack provides both scales in one convenient package.

What is 1:500 scale used for? 1:500 scale provides a detailed site view, ideal for block plans or site plans showing the property boundary and immediate surroundings in planning applications.

What is 1:1250 scale used for? 1:1250 is the standard location plan scale, showing your site in its surrounding context including neighboring properties, roads, and local features.

When would I use 1:100 scale? 1:100 is a highly enlarged scale ideal for very detailed views such as dropped kerb planning applications, vehicle crossovers, and small-scale site details.

When would I use 1:200 scale? 1:200 is perfect for small-scale site layouts, detailed planning boundaries, and applications requiring more detail than 1:500 but covering less area than 1:100.

What are 1:2500, 1:5000, and 1:10000 scales used for? These larger scales are commonly used for rural sites, large plots, countryside planning, large estates, and landscape assessments where you need to show more surrounding context.

Planning Application Requirements

Will my local council accept these maps? Yes, OS Planning Maps are accepted by all UK councils as they meet national planning guidelines and include all required elements (scale bar, north arrow, OS licensing).

Do I need both a block plan and location plan? Most planning applications require both. Check your specific local authority requirements, but the 1:500 & 1:1250 Planning Pack covers the majority of standard requirements.

Are these maps fully licensed for planning use? Yes, all maps include full Ordnance Survey licensing appropriate for planning application submissions.

Can I use these maps for commercial developments? Yes, the maps are suitable for residential, commercial, and all types of planning applications including extensions, new builds, change of use, and dropped kerbs.

Do the maps show property boundaries? Yes, OS maps show property boundaries, building outlines, roads, and surrounding features essential for planning applications.

Technical Questions

What format are the planning maps delivered in? Planning maps are typically delivered as high-quality PDF and/or JPG image files suitable for printing and digital submission.

Can I add my own annotations to the maps? Yes, you can add site boundaries, annotations, and other details to the PDF files. However, if you need fully editable CAD data, consider the OS MasterMap DWG/DXF format instead.

What's the difference between planning maps and CAD data? Planning maps are ready-to-use image files (PDF/JPG) perfect for planning submissions. CAD data (DWG/DXF) is editable vector mapping for technical design work. Most planning applications use image-based maps.

Can I print these maps to any size? The maps are scaled appropriately for standard paper sizes, but can be printed at the specified scale (e.g., 1:1250). Ensure you maintain the correct scale when printing.

Usage & Applications

What types of planning applications are these suitable for? These maps are suitable for house extensions, new builds, loft conversions, conservatories, dropped kerbs, change of use applications, agricultural buildings, commercial developments, and all standard planning submissions.

Who uses OS Planning Maps? Architects, planning consultants, developers, homeowners, builders, surveyors, and planning agents across the UK use these maps for planning applications.

Can I use the maps for pre-application advice? Yes, the maps are suitable for both pre-application consultations and formal planning submissions.

Do I need different maps for different types of applications? Scale requirements vary. Simple applications may only need 1:1250, while others require multiple scales. Check your local authority's specific requirements or purchase the Planning Pack for comprehensive coverage.

Can I reuse the maps for multiple applications? Maps can typically be used for the specific site/application purchased. For multiple applications or different sites, contact ukmapcentre.com regarding licensing.