1:1,250
Free, evidence-checked planning-map guidance
Location plans and site plans, explained clearly.
Straightforward answers on the maps you need for a UK planning application—what they show, which scale to use and how to get one.
Planning Maps UK is published by Copla Ltd, which also operates UKPlanningMaps.com ↗.
1:1,250Typical location plan
1:500Typical block plan
Red lineApplication boundary
InstantOnline download
Start with the right plan
Four names. Two main views.
Planning language can make a simple task sound complicated. In most cases, a location plan shows where the site is and a block or site plan shows what is changing.
01
Find the site
Location plan
The wider view used to identify your application site and its surroundings.02Planning essential
Site location plan
Another name for a location plan, with the application boundary clearly marked.03Show the detail
Block plan
The closer view that shows buildings, boundaries, access and proposed work.04Also called a block plan
Site plan
The detailed plan councils use to understand what exists and what will change.At a glance
Location plan or block plan?
The names are often mixed up. This is the simplest way to tell them apart.
FeatureLocation planBlock / site plan
PurposeIdentifies where the site isShows the site in detail
Typical scale1:1,250 or 1:2,5001:200 or 1:500
ShowsRoads and surrounding contextBuildings, boundaries and access
Planning roleLocates the applicationExplains the proposal
Real UKPlanningMaps examples
See what finished planning maps look like.
Compare the wider context of a location plan with the closer detail of a block plan. Each complete example includes its scale, north arrow and licensed-mapping information.
1:1,250
Location plan
Shows a residential application site in red with enough nearby roads and buildings to identify its location.View full example PDF ↗
1:1,250
Red and blue boundaries
Shows the application land outlined in red and other nearby land owned by the applicant outlined in blue.View full example PDF ↗
1:2,500
Rural location plan
Uses a wider view to place a rural site, its access and the surrounding roads and countryside in context.View full example PDF ↗
1:1,250
Two-hectare plan
Shows a larger map extent with the application site marked against the surrounding roads, buildings and open land.View full example PDF ↗
1:500
Site plan
Shows the full plot, building footprint, access and immediate neighbouring context at a closer site-plan scale.View full example PDF ↗
1:500
Site plan with red boundary
Shows the full application site in red, with the building footprint, road access and neighbouring properties in context.View full example PDF ↗
1:200
Block plan
Shows the closer view of the property, building footprints, plot boundaries and immediate surroundings.View full example PDF ↗Examples are illustrative. Check the plan type, scale and information required by your planning authority.
Produced by UKPlanningMaps.com using Ordnance Survey mapping. © Crown copyright and database rights 2026 OS 100054135.
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Detailed guides to scales, boundaries and file formats.
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Plain-English answers
Your most common questions
Quick answers first, with links to the fuller guides when you need more detail.
01How do I create a location plan?+
Start with an up-to-date Ordnance Survey map. Choose the correct scale, centre the site, add a north arrow and scale bar, then draw a red line around all land needed for the proposal and a blue line around any other nearby land you own. The easiest route is to create and download a correctly licensed plan online.
Read the step-by-step location plan guide →02How much does a location plan cost?+
Location-plan prices depend on the map coverage, scale, paper size, file format and whether the order needs bespoke preparation. Check the current UKPlanningMaps.com price list before ordering.
See current prices and available formats ↗03Where can I buy a location plan?+
You can buy a planning-ready location plan online from UKPlanningMaps.com. Search by postcode or address, select the site, add the boundary and download the plan straight away.
04What is the difference between a location plan and a block plan?+
A location plan is the zoomed-out view that identifies where the site is, normally at 1:1,250 or 1:2,500. A block plan is the closer view, normally at 1:200 or 1:500, showing the site layout and the proposed development in more detail.
05Can I get a free site location plan?+
You may be able to view free online mapping, but free screenshots are not usually licensed or prepared to planning standards. A planning application normally needs an accurate, to-scale, correctly licensed plan. You can preview Ordnance Survey MasterMap data free before buying at UKPlanningMaps.com.
06How do I obtain a site plan of my property?+
Search for the property by postcode or address, choose a block or site plan scale, select the area, add your boundary and notes, then download the finished plan. A typical planning site plan is at 1:200 or 1:500.
Planning application checklist
What does a site location plan need to show?
A good plan makes the site easy to identify and gives the council the information it needs to validate the map.
Create your planning map at UKPlanningMaps.com ↗- An up-to-date mapUsually based on current Ordnance Survey mapping.
- The correct metric scaleNormally 1:1,250 or 1:2,500 for a location plan.
- A clear red boundaryAround all land needed to carry out the proposal, including access.
- Other land shown in blueAny other nearby land owned by the applicant.
- North, scale and contextA north arrow, scale bar and enough named roads to locate the site.
- Correct map licensingThe plan must be licensed for the intended use.
Know which map you need?