Planning Map Checklist: 12 Checks Before Submission

Location-plan checks

Confirm that the plan identifies the site without relying solely on the postal address and that the boundary describes the application actually being made.

• Correct property, field or parcel
• Current, appropriately licensed mapping
• Identified metric scale and original paper size
• North point and readable scale bar
• Enough named roads, buildings or landmarks
• Continuous red application boundary including necessary access
• Other close or adjoining applicant-owned land in blue where required
• Copyright acknowledgement and licence number where applicable

Site or block-plan checks

Check that the closer plan explains the proposal rather than merely repeating a base map.

• Existing and proposed footprints are distinguishable
• Relevant boundary distances and overall dimensions are written
• Access, parking, paths and turning are shown
• Affected trees, surfacing, levels and boundary treatment are included
• Scale provides enough detail without losing essential context
• Existing and proposed views share orientation, scale and revision control

Final file and pack checks

Open each exported file independently. Compare the site address, red-line extent, north, project description and proposal across the form, ownership certificate and drawings before upload.

• PDF page dimensions match the title block
• No fit-to-page or stretching has changed the scale
• Road names, dimensions and licence details remain legible
• Drawing titles, numbers, dates and revisions are unique
• Superseded or draft drawings are removed
• File names and sizes follow this authority's instructions
• The current national and local validation requirements have been checked

Apply the correct national and local rules

England's national guidance, Welsh procedures, Scottish circulars and Northern Irish council requirements are not interchangeable. Treat this checklist as quality control, then confirm the application type and current requirements of the authority that will validate it.

Check that the boundary and ownership details agree

Compare the red-line geometry with the ownership certificate and any notices before submission. If the application includes third-party access, highway works or land outside the applicant's sole ownership, make sure the form does not incorrectly present the applicant as the only owner.

• Red land and blue land serve different planning purposes
• Title-plan red edging is not the planning application line
• All proposed works must fall within the application site
• A change to the red line can require a certificate and notice review

Keep a submission record

Create a short drawing register listing every submitted plan, title, number, revision, date, scale and paper size. Save the exact uploaded files and any validation correspondence so that a later correction can be made from the controlled source rather than from a screenshot or superseded copy.

A register is particularly useful when existing and proposed plans, landscape drawings and specialist reports repeat the site boundary or proposal footprint.