Planning Drawings: What You Need for a Planning Application

One of the most common reasons planning applications are delayed or rejected at validation is incomplete or incorrect drawings. Getting your planning drawings right from the start saves time and money. This guide explains what drawings you need, what scale they should be at, and who should prepare them.

Why Drawings Matter

Planning drawings are the primary way you communicate your proposal to the planning authority, neighbours, and consultees. They must be clear, accurate, and complete enough for anyone to understand exactly what you want to build, where it will be, and how it relates to the existing site and surroundings.

Submitting incomplete or unclear drawings is the number one cause of validation delays. Many councils will not validate an application until all required drawings are provided at the correct scale.

Required Drawings for a Householder Application

1. Site Location Plan (1:1250 or 1:2500)

This is a map showing the application site in the context of the surrounding area. It must:

• Be based on an up-to-date Ordnance Survey map
• Show the site outlined in red (the "red line") - this must include all land necessary for the development (access routes, visibility splays, etc.)
• Show any other land owned by the applicant outlined in blue
• Include a north arrow
• Include at least two named roads and surrounding buildings for context
• Be at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale

You can purchase OS-based site location plans from various online services for around £15–£30.

2. Block Plan / Site Plan (1:200 or 1:500)

A closer view showing the proposed development in relation to the site boundaries, neighbouring buildings, and access. It must show:

• The footprint of the proposed development (shown in colour or with hatching to distinguish from existing)
• Boundaries of the site
• Neighbouring buildings and their relationship to the proposal
• Access - existing and proposed vehicle and pedestrian access
• Trees - existing trees, especially those affected by the development
• Car parking - existing and proposed parking spaces
• A north arrow and scale bar

3. Existing Floor Plans (1:50 or 1:100)

Scaled drawings showing the current layout of the building at each floor level. These should show:

• Room layouts and uses
• Window and door positions
• Key dimensions
• The extent of the area to be altered or demolished (usually shown with a dashed line or cross-hatching)

4. Proposed Floor Plans (1:50 or 1:100)

Scaled drawings showing the proposed layout after the development. These should clearly show:

• New rooms and their intended use
• Window and door positions
• Key dimensions
• How new spaces connect to existing rooms
• The distinction between new and existing construction (usually through colour or hatching)

5. Existing Elevations (1:50 or 1:100)

Drawings showing the external appearance of the building from each side (front, rear, left side, right side) as it currently exists. Elevations should show:

• Ground levels
• Roof profile and ridge/eaves heights
• Window and door positions and styles
• Material annotations
• Boundary walls and fences

6. Proposed Elevations (1:50 or 1:100)

Drawings showing how the building will look from each side after the development. These are arguably the most important drawings because they show the visual impact of the proposal. They should show:

• The new development clearly distinguished from the existing building
• All materials annotated (brick type, roof tiles, window frames, render, cladding)
• Heights annotated (finished floor level, eaves, ridge)
• Any changes to existing openings

Additional Drawings That May Be Required

Sections (1:50 or 1:100)

Cross-sections through the building showing internal floor levels, ceiling heights, and the relationship between floors. These are particularly important for:

• Loft conversions (showing headroom)
• Split-level designs
• Developments on sloping sites
• Basement or lower ground floor proposals

Roof Plans (1:50 or 1:100)

A view looking directly down on the roof, showing the roof form, pitches, materials, and the position of any rooflights, dormers, or chimneys. Required for extensions that alter the roof profile.

Street Scene / Context Elevations

An elevation showing the proposed development in the context of neighbouring buildings. Particularly important for front extensions, new dwellings, and development in conservation areas where the impact on the streetscape is a key consideration.

3D Visualisations

Not a formal requirement, but increasingly common and helpful. A 3D view helps planning officers, committee members, and neighbours understand the proposal more easily than 2D drawings alone.

Drawing Standards

• Scale: drawings must include a scale bar (not just a stated scale, as printed/PDF sizes can vary)
• North arrow: on all site plans and floor plans
• Paper size: A4 or A3 is typical; larger drawings may be needed for major applications
• Format: PDF for online submission
• Accuracy: dimensions must be measured, not estimated. A survey of the existing building is essential

Who Prepares Planning Drawings?

Planning drawings are typically prepared by:

• Architects - RIBA or ARB registered architects provide the full design and drawing service. Find an architect near you
• Architectural technologists - CIAT members specialise in the technical drawing and building regulations side. Read our guide on architect vs architectural technologist
• Architectural designers / draughtspeople - may not be formally qualified but can produce competent drawings for simpler projects
• Planning consultants - some planning consultants offer a drawing service alongside their planning advice

For a straightforward householder application, expect to pay £1,000 to £3,000 for a full set of planning drawings. For more complex projects, fees will be higher. Read our guide to architect costs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Wrong scale - if the scale bar does not match the stated scale, the council will reject the drawing
2. Missing the red line - the site location plan must show a red line around the entire application site
3. Outdated base map - using an old OS map that does not show recent changes to the site or surroundings
4. Not showing existing and proposed - the council needs to see what is there now and what you want to change
5. Missing elevations - you must include all affected elevations, not just the one that shows the extension
6. No dimensions - key measurements should be annotated, especially for PD compliance

Tips for a Smooth Application

1. Commission a measured survey of the existing building before starting design
2. Check your council's validation checklist - every council publishes a list of required documents
3. Use a professional - the cost of proper drawings is a fraction of the overall project cost, and the time saved at validation is worth it
4. Submit digitally - most councils prefer PDF submissions through the Planning Portal or their own system

Good planning drawings are the foundation of a successful application. They communicate your vision clearly, demonstrate compliance with policy, and help your application move smoothly through validation and assessment. Investing in quality drawings is one of the best decisions you can make at the start of any building project.