No, you don't have to use either. Planning Portal's built-in location plan tool is optional, and ReQuestaPlan is a recommended supplier, not a required one. You can upload a plan from any supplier, as long as it meets your council's requirements.
Sources checked on 12 October 2026. This guide covers Planning Portal in England and Wales. PlanningMapsUK is an independent planning map supplier, so we're one of the alternatives discussed here.
Key facts
- Planning Portal's location plan tool is optional. You can skip it and upload your own plan as a supporting document.
- ReQuestaPlan is Planning Portal's recommended supplier for site and block plans, but you don't have to use it.
- ReQuestaPlan is provided by TerraQuest, which also co-runs Planning Portal with the government.
- Councils accept compliant plans from any supplier. They check the plan, not where you bought it.
Is the Planning Portal location plan tool compulsory?
No. Planning Portal's own FAQ says the feature "is not compulsory" and that you can bypass it by following the on-screen prompts. You can then upload your own plan as a supporting document. Source: Planning Portal FAQ
The same applies in Wales. Source: Planning Portal Wales FAQ
The tool is convenient. It's built into the application, so you can draw your boundary without leaving the form. Using it or not is a matter of preference, and both routes are accepted.
Do I have to use ReQuestaPlan?
No. Planning Portal doesn't have a built-in site or block plan tool, so it recommends buying one from ReQuestaPlan, which it calls its "accredited supplier".
This is a recommendation, not a requirement. You can buy a site plan, block plan or location plan from any supplier, as long as it meets your council's requirements.
How are Planning Portal, ReQuestaPlan and TerraQuest connected?
The companies say so on their own websites:
| Name | What it is | Who's behind it |
|---|---|---|
| Planning Portal | The online service for submitting planning applications | Delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited, a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) |
| ReQuestaPlan | A planning map supplier | Provided by TerraQuest |
| TerraQuest | A planning and land services company | Runs ReQuestaPlan and co-runs Planning Portal |
Sources: Planning Portal: About and ReQuestaPlan.
So when Planning Portal recommends ReQuestaPlan, it's recommending a sister service. That's common on platforms like this, and it's worth knowing so you can compare suppliers on price, features and support.
Will my council accept a plan from another supplier?
Yes. Councils check that your plan meets their validation requirements. They don't check which supplier made it.
In England, a location plan should typically:
- use up-to-date mapping at a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500
- show enough surrounding roads and buildings to identify the site
- outline the application site in red, including all land needed for the development
- outline any other land you own nearby in blue
Source: GOV.UK, making an application
Also check your council's local validation checklist. Our planning map checklist covers the common points.
Does Planning Portal's tool improve my chances of approval?
Planning Portal recommends its tool to "increase the likelihood of submitting a valid planning application". That's about getting your application validated, meaning it has the right documents and information to be processed.
Planning permission is a separate decision, based on the merits of what you're proposing. A compliant plan from any supplier is equally valid at both stages. Source: GOV.UK, determining a planning application
How do I upload my own plan to Planning Portal?
- Start your application on Planning Portal as normal.
- When it offers the location plan feature, follow the prompts to skip it.
- Upload your plan as a PDF in the supporting documents section.
Our Planning Portal upload guide covers file preparation and final checks.
Where else can I get a plan?
PlanningMapsUK is one independent option. You draw your boundary on official Ordnance Survey mapping, add annotations, preview the plan and download a PDF straight away. We also offer block plans and CAD files, and a small UK team can help through our contact page. If a council rejects a plan because of an error on our side, we'll correct it free of charge.
Create a site location plan or read more about us.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to use the Planning Portal location plan tool?
No. Planning Portal says the feature is not compulsory. You can skip it and upload your own location plan as a supporting document.
Do I have to buy my site or block plan from ReQuestaPlan?
No. Planning Portal recommends ReQuestaPlan as its accredited supplier, but you can buy your plans from any supplier, as long as they meet your council's requirements.
Who runs ReQuestaPlan and Planning Portal?
ReQuestaPlan is provided by TerraQuest. Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited, a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
Will my council reject a plan from another supplier?
No. Councils check whether a plan meets their validation requirements, such as an up-to-date map, a suitable scale and a clear red-line boundary. They do not require a particular supplier.
Does using Planning Portal's tool improve my chance of planning permission?
No. Planning Portal recommends its tool to help you submit a valid application. Planning permission is decided on the merits of the proposal, not on which map supplier you used.
Can I use a PlanningMapsUK plan on Planning Portal?
Yes. Skip the location plan feature when prompted and upload your PlanningMapsUK PDF as a supporting document.