Create your plan...
all our planning maps are guaranteed to be compliant with all council planning requirements.
our planning maps use the most detailed and up to date Ordnance Survey available (see our samples here).
read our planning application map guide to ensure your application goes smoothly.
our block plans come in all the popular scales including 1:200 and 1:500 scales.
Overview: a block plan is defined as a plan used for planning applications at a defined scale, which shows the property where permission is being sought, typically this is outlined in red.
A block plan shows the area of land that’s involved in a planning application, or in many other kinds of application process or legal procedure. It indicates the boundaries of the site and the features immediately adjacent to it, such as the road and nearby buildings.
Because a block plan is pretty much focused on the site, it may sometimes be called a site plan. However, that can be confusing, because any development that involves new construction will need the kind of site plan, prepared by the architect or surveyor, that shows only the site and includes lots of detail such as the location of the new building, the drainage tracks and so on. We think it’s more helpful to reserve the term ‘site plan’ for that sort of document.
The block plan isn’t intended to be used by planning officers (or others involved in the planning process) to find the site. For that, you’ll need a location plan – and if you order a block plan and a location plan from us, we’ll give you a 10% discount.
The scale of a block plan will depend, in part, on the size of the site, bearing in mind that the plan should fit on an A4 page. For most developments, a 1:500 scale plan or 1:200 scale plan is normal. A very large site (for a new factory or warehouse, perhaps) might need a 1:2,500 scale plan.
For planning applications, the boundary of the site should be marked in red and any other land in the same ownership, but not involved in the application, should be outlined in blue.
You’ll need a block plan in many different application or legal processes. The commonest requirement is in connection with applications for planning permission or similar consents, for example Listed Building Consent or any kind of Prior Notification. But you would also need one in connection with the recording of title at the Land Registry. It may also be helpful in other situations, for example in making an application to lower the kerb to give access to your driveway.
A block plan at 1:500 or 1:200 will show all the detail that’s available on the Ordnance Survey digital database. As well as buildings, streets, walls, fences and pavements, it’ll include things like electricity or telephone poles, Ordnance Survey benchmarks and so on.
You can see examples of block plans at (and other kinds of plans you’ll probably need) on the Planning Portal website.
We can provide a block plan at whatever scale is most appropriate for your land registration application. Scales of 1:500, 1:250 or 1:200 are normal; you might need 1:500 for a large site, whereas 1:200 would be fine for a small one. There’s useful, detailed guidance about land registry plans in England and Wales here; requirements in Scotland and Northern Ireland are broadly similar.
There is a charge. We have to pay the Ordnance Survey for the use of their data and they, in turn, have to carry out the work of keeping all the plans, covering the whole of the UK, up to date. That obviously costs money.
Our block plan service allows you to select the location and scale of block plan that best meets your needs. Our data is the most up-to-date available from the Ordnance Survey. The plans we provide comply with all the legal requirements. Ordering what you need is quick and easy.
If you need more advice about plans, take a look at our comprehensive guide to planning maps, written by a former Planning Officer, to find out all you need to know.