Your ultimate guide to site and location plans
Most planning applications require a location plan and a site plan (also known as a block plan), to be submitted as supporting documents. A location plan shows the proposal in its surrounding context and a site plan shows the development in more detail.
What is included in this guide:
- What is the difference between a site and location Plan?
- When do I need a site plan?
- When do I need a location plan?
- What should be included in a site plan?
- What should be included in a location plan?
- Where do you get a site location plan?
- Why do I need a location or site plan?
- Do ReQuestaPlan Plans have a north arrow and scale indicator?
- Can I print my plans at home when using ReQuestaPlan?
- Can I preview my plan before purchase?
- What happens if I make a mistake?
- What is the difference between PDF and DWG output?
What is the difference between a site and location Plan?
Site plans
Site plans, also known as block plans, show the proposed development in relation to the property boundary. They are usually submitted at a scale of either 1:200 or 1:500.
Site plans should include the size and position of the existing building and any extensions proposed, in relation to the property boundary. They should include the position/use of any other buildings within the property boundary. Lastly, they should include the position and width of any adjacent streets.
Location plans
Location plans show the proposed development in relation to its surrounding properties, must be based on an up-to-date map and at an identified standard metric scale, typically 1:1250 or 1:2500.
The site of the proposed development needs to be outlined in red and any other land owned by the applicant that is close to or adjoining the site needs to be outlined in blue.
If you are unsure about whether you require more assistance, please contact your local authority for advice.
When do I need a site plan?
You may need a site plan if:
- If you need to understand your property dimensions.
- To show your home relative to your property lines.
- If you want a road map for having yard work done. Mark up your instructions to avoid any confusion.
- You are looking to Sketch out a new roofline.
- If you're re-doing your landscape
- You are applying for a building permit for a new outdoor structure.
- You are applying for a demolition permit for the demolition of your house/another structure.
- You are applying for building permits in cities with tree protection requirements.
- You are looking to remove/remodel your swimming pool.
- Conditional Use Permit for Commercial Properties.
When do I need a location plan?
Most planning applications require a location plan and a site plan (also known as a block plan), to be submitted as supporting documents.
What should be included in a site plan?
- Property Lines and Setbacks
- Construction Limits and Lay Down Areas
- Easements
- Existing and Proposed Conditions
- Parking
- Dimensions of driveways and curbs
- Surrounding Streets and Ground Sign Locations
- Fire Hydrants
- Landscaped Areas
What should be included in a location plan?
- Should be at an identified standard metric scale (typically 1:1250 or 1:2500 for larger sites)
- Should show the direction north.
- It should be scaled to fit on an A4 size document.
- Show sufficient roads and/or buildings on land adjoining the application site.
- Show application site boundaries and all land necessary to carry out the proposed development i.e. land required for access to the site from the road, outlined in red.
- A blue line should be drawn around any other land owned by the applicant that is close to or adjacent to the property
- At least two recognised monuments and/or road names as identifiable points
Where do you get a site location plan?
TerraQuest provides site and location plans for planning & building control applications using our industry-leading software. Whether you are a homeowner or a professional, ReQuestaPlan is an easy-to-use solution enabling you to download a DWG or print a PDF version of an OS map of a specific location.
Why do I need a location or site plan?
Most planning applications need a location plan which shows the proposal in its surrounding context and a site plan (also known as a block plan) which shows the development in more detail. It needs to display any roads and/or buildings on land adjoining the application site.
You can create and buy your location and site plans and attach them to your online application. If you are not sure whether your plans are suitable or require further assistance you should contact your Local Planning Authority for advice.
Do ReQuestaPlan Plans have a north arrow and scale indicator?
Yes, our PDF plans are fully compliant with planning authority requirements.
Can I print my plans at home when using ReQuestaPlan?
Yes, our plans come in PDF format for home users which can be easily printed using your regular printing software. You will need Adobe Reader to open the PDF format or, if you are using Windows 10 they can be opened in the native Windows app or MacOS preview, for users of Apple computers.
Can I preview my plan before purchase?
Yes, once you have drawn your plan you can select the preview plan icon before paying. This shows the plan as it will be produced in the final output.
What happens if I make a mistake?
Before purchase
If you realise you have made a mistake, you can return to your map and correct any errors using our drawing software, or re-centre your map to the correct location or even change the location of the map.
After purchase
If you are a registered user and realise you have made a mistake after purchase, you can go to your plans and click on edit. You can add or remove items from the plan but you are unable to alter the scale, format or orientation. There is no charge for this.
If you are a guest user and realise you have made a mistake after purchase, we may consider a refund minus 50%. For more information, please refer to Non-refundable products within our Terms and Conditions.
What is the difference between PDF and DWG output?
A PDF is a commonly used format for sharing or printing documents. Most computers include a PDF reader, but if not installed, they are freely available from Adobe, or other suppliers for all devices. The PDF you will receive when creating your plan will match as closely as possible what you see on screen.
DWG is a specialised format designed to be used in Computer-Aided Design software. The output you will receive for this file format will include the objects drawn on the map, but the format of the text descriptions and titles may be in a different location. If you are not comfortable in editing DWG type files and configuring them into the format you need, you should use the PDF format.
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