Block Plan, Location Plan and Site Plan for a UK Planning Application: A 2026 Guide
What is a block plan (and how does it differ from a location plan)?
The terms block plan, location plan, and site plan are often used interchangeably by applicants, and most Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) will accept any of them as long as the document shows the application site in its wider geographic context. There are, however, formal conventions:
- Location plan — usually at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale, showing the application site outlined in red against Ordnance Survey mapping. The wider neighbourhood (roads, neighbouring buildings, site boundaries) is visible but the proposal itself is not shown. This is the formal document that an LPA expects to validate your application.
- Block plan — usually at 1:200 or 1:500 scale, showing the application site in greater detail: the position of the existing building, the proposed extension or alteration, neighbouring buildings, boundaries, and access. Sometimes called a “site layout plan”.
- Site plan — the umbrella term that some LPA validation checklists use to mean the combined 1:1250/1:2500 location plan plus the 1:200/1:500 block plan, plus any other site-context drawings.
For most householder applications you will need two drawings: the 1:1250 or 1:2500 location plan and the 1:200 or 1:500 block plan. Some LPAs also ask for a separate site plan at 1:50 or 1:100 showing the proposal in greater detail — but that is usually classed as an existing and proposed drawing rather than a location/block plan.
Why the LPA needs a block plan with your application
The block plan lets the case officer see exactly where the proposal sits in relation to:
- Neighbouring properties (which may have windows or amenity space that could be affected).
- Highway boundaries and adopted roads.
- Site boundaries and the proposed red-line application area.
- Existing buildings on the site, including those to be retained or demolished.
- Trees subject to Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) or in Conservation Areas.
Without a clear block plan, the LPA cannot assess the proposal against the development plan. The most common reason for an application being invalidated on submission is a missing or non-compliant block plan.
The mandatory national requirement for a location plan is set out in regulation 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, which is made under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Equivalent requirements apply in Scotland under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and its development management regulations.
Scale and orientation: getting the basics right
Two technical conventions that most LPAs insist on:
- North arrow. A clear north point, oriented correctly. The case officer needs to read the orientation at a glance.
- Scale bar. A linear scale bar in metres, not a stated numeric scale alone. Photocopying can distort a stated scale; a bar cannot be distorted.
The right scale for each plan type is:
| Plan type | Typical scale | What it should show |
|---|---|---|
| Location plan | 1:1250 or 1:2500 | The site outlined in red against Ordnance Survey mapping |
| Block plan | 1:200 or 1:500 | Existing and proposed buildings, site boundaries, neighbour context |
| Site layout plan | 1:200 or 1:500 | Combined location and block-plan information |
| Existing / proposed drawing | 1:50 or 1:100 | Detailed floor plans and elevations |
Some LPAs accept 1:1250 only at the location-plan stage; others accept 1:2500 for rural sites. Always check the LPA’s local validation list — it is published on every council website and lists the exact scale expected.
The red-line boundary: what to include
Every application needs a red-line boundary drawn around the entire application site. The red line:
- Must enclose all land that is the subject of the application — including any land required for access, visibility splays, landscaping, or off-site works.
- Must be a continuous line, drawn to a recognisable metric scale (the scale bar handles this).
- Must be drawn on the location plan, not the block plan. The block plan shows detail; the location plan shows the boundary.
- Must be accompanied by a blue line around any other land owned by the applicant that is adjacent to the application site (the “other land” notification requirement).
A common rejection reason is a red line that excludes part of the works — for example, the red line is drawn around the house but not the drive that needs to be widened, or not around the access track that needs to be resurfaced. Always include all land needed for the proposal to function.
Sourcing a block plan: Ordnance Survey and professional services
You have three options for sourcing the underlying map:
- Draw it yourself from a free OS map. The Ordnance Survey provides free mapping at ordnancesurvey.co.uk. You can use OS Maps or a similar free tool to capture the site and its red-line boundary, then add your block-plan detail in any vector drawing package.
- Buy an OS plan. The Ordnance Survey sells licence-included map extracts at standard scales. Most planning agents and architects maintain an OS licence for this purpose.
- Hire a professional. A chartered architect, planning consultant, or measured-survey provider will produce a compliant block plan as part of an application pack. For most householder applications this costs between £150 and £400 and is well worth it if you are unsure about the requirements.
For a Scotland-specific walkthrough of how a planning application package comes together (including the block plan), see our Aberdeen planning applications guide. For an England LPA-specific worked example, see our Allerdale planning guide or Arun District planning guide.
Common rejection reasons (and how to avoid them)
The LPA’s validation team will return the application as invalid if any of the following are wrong:
- Wrong scale. Submitting a 1:200 block plan where a 1:500 is required, or vice versa. Check the LPA’s validation list.
- Missing red line. Forgetting the red line entirely, or drawing it in the wrong colour (some LPAs require red specifically; others accept any conspicuous colour as long as it is identified in the key).
- Missing north arrow or scale bar. Both are mandatory.
- Site shown but no proposal shown. The block plan must show the existing AND proposed development. A common mistake is to submit only an existing block plan.
- Wrong copyright acknowledgement. OS mapping requires a copyright acknowledgement (“© Crown copyright and database right [year]. Ordnance Survey licence number [XXXXX]”) on any drawing based on OS data.
- Photocopy of an old plan. Photocopying a 20-year-old location plan may not pick up new buildings or roads, which can mislead the case officer.
For the broader PD framework that determines whether you even need a planning application (and therefore a block plan), see our guide on Permitted Development Rights in 2026. For the underlying householder-application context, see our guide on householder planning permission for a garden office.
Next steps and resources
- Planning Portal — application forms and the national validation checklist.
- Ordnance Survey — the source of the underlying mapping.
- Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 — SI 2015/595, the regulation that mandates a location plan.
- Town and Country Planning Act 1990 — primary statute for England and Wales.
- Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 — primary statute for Scotland.
Editorial note. This article is for guidance only and does not constitute regulated advice. Block-plan and location-plan requirements vary by Local Planning Authority — always check the council’s local validation list before submission. For project-specific questions, consult a chartered planning professional registered with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or a chartered surveyor registered with RICS.