When you pay for them on their own
Inside a planning job the plans come with the package. On their own, at £39, they suit three cases: an application you are submitting yourself, a prior approval where you need a plan of the site, and a document that asks for a site plan, such as some conditions or a certificate.
For prior approval of a larger home extension, the order asks for a plan indicating the site and showing the proposed development, together with the addresses of adjoining premises. Our plan is that plan.
The rules every plan must pass
The procedure order says plans must be drawn to an identified scale and, in the case of plans, must show the direction of north. The planning guidance adds that a linear scale bar is useful although not required.
A location plan should be based on an up-to-date map, and typically at 1:1250 or 1:2500, scaled where possible to fit A4 or A3. It should show enough roads or buildings around the site for its exact position to be clear.
The site is edged clearly in red, including all the land needed for the development such as access and parking, and any other land you own near or next to it is edged in blue.
Why a wrong line costs more than the plan
An application is not valid until the right ownership certificate is completed, and the council cannot decide an invalid one. There are four certificates, A to D, depending on whether you are the sole owner and whether you know the other owners.
The red line drives which certificate applies, because it decides whose land is affected. A line that clips a neighbour’s drive means a different certificate and a notice to them. That is why we draw it from the survey and the title information you send, not from a quick trace.
The clock only starts when it is valid
The council’s 8 weeks to decide a non-major application run from the day after it receives a valid one. A plan with no scale or north point can mean the weeks do not start.
The smallest part of an application, in price, is the part that can delay all the rest. That is why we keep the plan fee small and the checking thorough.
By the numbers
1:1250
The typical scale of a location plan, alongside 1:2500, scaled to fit A4 or A3 where possible.
Source: Making an application, planning practice guidance (GOV.UK)
Red line
The edge of the application site, including all land needed for the development.
Source: Making an application, planning practice guidance (GOV.UK)
Blue line
Edges any other land the applicant owns close to or adjoining the site.
Source: Making an application, planning practice guidance (GOV.UK)
North
Every plan must show the direction of north and be drawn to an identified scale.
A to D
The four ownership certificates; an application is not valid until the right one is completed.
Source: Making an application, planning practice guidance (GOV.UK)
8 weeks
The council’s time to decide a non-major application, counted from a valid one.
Site plan
A prior approval for a larger home extension needs a plan indicating the site and showing the proposed development.
Location and block plan costs: common questions
Why do I need both plans?
The location plan places the site among the surrounding roads and buildings. The block plan shows the house, the proposal and the distances to boundaries at a larger scale.
Can I draw them myself?
You can, but a missing scale, north point, red line or certificate stops the application from being valid. Our fee is small compared with the delay of a returned application.
Source: Making an application, planning practice guidance (GOV.UK)
Are they included if I buy planning drawings?
Yes. They are free inside every planning package.
Sources
- Making an application, planning practice guidance (GOV.UK)
- Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) Order 2015, article 7 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) Order 2015, article 34 (legislation.gov.uk)
- General Permitted Development Order 2015, Schedule 2, Part 1, Class A, paragraph A.4(2) (legislation.gov.uk)
About the author. Ben Shaukat is Managing Director of Property Architecture Ltd, which trades as Planning Drawings.
Published by Planning Drawings. Checked against the sources above on . Planning rules change; check your council before you build.