Before ordering
Read the validation list and confirm the property, application boundary, access and whether other nearby land is in the applicant's ownership.
During ordering
UKPlanningMaps.com lets you search by postcode or address, preview current Ordnance Survey mapping, choose the area and scale, add red or blue boundaries and download the completed plan immediately.
Before uploading
Open the file, check the site and boundaries, verify north and scale, give the PDF a clear filename and keep the original page size.
Start with the application, not the map product
Confirm the UK nation, authority and application route, then read the current validation checklist. The location plan required for a full application may not be identical to the plan needed for a certificate, prior approval or another consent, and local requirements can supplement the national minimum.
Order enough coverage for the real application site
Choose the mapping scale after defining the proposal, necessary access and surrounding context. A wide rural holding does not all need to be red simply because it has one owner, while a narrow access track may need to be included because the development relies on it.
- Check the exact plot rather than relying only on the postcode
- Use current, appropriately licensed mapping
- Show enough roads or landmarks to identify the site
- Draw a continuous red application boundary
- Show other relevant nearby ownership in blue where required
- Retain north, scale, sheet size and licence details
Coordinate it with the rest of the submission
The site address, red line, ownership certificate, site area and detailed drawings should describe the same land. Name the file clearly, retain its original page size and keep the source file so a validation query can be answered without rebuilding the plan from a screenshot.
| Question | Reason |
|---|---|
| Does the red site match the form? | Conflicting site definitions create uncertainty |
| Is all necessary access included? | A boundary around only the building can be too narrow |
| Can the site be found from the map alone? | The authority needs sufficient context |
| Will the PDF print at its stated scale? | Resizing can invalidate scale-dependent checks |
Local requirements may differ. Check the current validation list for your planning authority before submitting.
Evidence checked 18 August 2026
Official sources and further reading
Planning requirements differ across the UK. The scope label on each source shows where it applies; always use the current rules for the authority receiving the application.
Questions people also ask
How long does it take?
A standard online plan can normally be prepared and downloaded within minutes.
Can I get help by phone?
Yes. Call UKPlanningMaps.com on 01856 898 022.
Do I need a new location plan for every application?
Not inevitably, but verify that the mapping, boundary, scale, licence and application details remain current and appropriate. Reuse is unsafe when the site or proposal has changed.
Who decides whether my location plan is acceptable?
The planning authority validates the application against the applicable national and local requirements. A supplier or Portal upload cannot guarantee validation.
Do I also need a block or site plan?
Often, where the proposal changes a building or site layout. The location plan identifies the site; the detailed plan shows what is proposed within it.
Ready to create your planning map?
Search by postcode or address, choose the scale and coverage, add your application boundary and download from UKPlanningMaps.com. For help with an unusual site, call 01856 898 022.
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