A site plan is a scaled overhead drawing showing a development site, its boundaries, existing buildings and the position of proposed work. In UK planning it is often called a block plan and is normally drawn at 1:200 or 1:500.
The terminology is not completely standard. One council may ask for a “site plan”, another for a “site/block plan”, and another for separate existing and proposed site layouts. This guide explains the shared requirements, the usual scales and what to check before submitting your planning application.
Learn what a site plan is in UK planning, how it differs from a site location plan and floor plan, what scale it should be, and how to get one for your planning application.
What Is a Site Plan in UK Planning?
In UK planning terminology, a site plan is a plan-view drawing that normally shows:
- The application site and its boundaries
- The existing building(s) on the site
- The proposed development, such as an extension, outbuilding or new access
- Relevant features such as trees, driveways, walls, fences and neighbouring structures
It is commonly drawn at 1:200 or 1:500. At 1:200, 1mm on the drawing represents 200mm on the ground; at 1:500, 1mm represents 500mm. The best choice depends on the size of the site, the level of detail required and the council's validation checklist.
The site plan is the "detail" map of your planning application. It tells the planning officer what you are proposing and where it will sit relative to your property boundary and neighbouring buildings.
Site Plan vs Site Location Plan: What's the Difference?
These two terms cause more confusion than any other pair of planning documents. Here is the distinction:
| Site Plan (Block Plan) | Site Location Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | Usually 1:200 or 1:500 | Usually 1:1250 or 1:2500 |
| Shows | What is being built | Where the site is |
| Content | Building footprints, proposed works, boundaries, trees | Neighbourhood context, roads, red-line boundary |
| Used for | Assessing the proposal | Identifying the site |
The location plan is the “zoomed out” identification map. The site or block plan is the closer layout drawing. National guidance requires a location plan as the minimum map, while additional plans are normally needed to describe the development and may be specified by the council's local validation list.
If you are trying to work out the full document set rather than only the definition, use the maps for planning permission guide and the more detailed site plans for planning applications guide.
Is a Site Plan the Same as a Block Plan?
Often, yes. Many UK validation checklists use the combined term site plan/block plan for a drawing at 1:200 or 1:500 showing the proposal in relation to the site boundaries and existing buildings.
There can still be local differences:
- Block plan may mean the scaled OS-based context drawing showing buildings, boundaries and access.
- Existing site plan may show the site before development.
- Proposed site plan may add the extension, new building, parking layout, landscaping or other changes.
- Site layout plan may be used for a larger development with roads, plots, parking and open space.
Treat the council's document title as a clue, then read the description underneath it. The content and scale matter more than whether the heading says “site plan” or “block plan”.
Site Plan vs Floor Plan: What's the Difference?
Another common confusion:
- Site plan: Aerial (bird's-eye) view of the whole site. Shows building positions relative to boundaries and neighbouring properties. Used in planning applications.
- Floor plan: Horizontal cross-section through a building at door height. Shows room layouts, wall thicknesses, door and window positions. Used in architectural drawings.
For a planning application, both may be required — the site plan as part of the mandatory planning maps, and floor plans as part of the architectural drawings showing the design. They are entirely different documents.
What Should a Site Plan Show?
A site plan should make the existing site and proposed change easy to assess. Government planning guidance says plans must use an identified scale and show north; councils then set more detailed local validation requirements.
Core information
- Existing building footprints accurately positioned on the plot
- Proposed works clearly distinguishable from the existing layout
- Site boundaries and the proposal's distance from them
- North point
- Identified metric scale, usually 1:200 or 1:500
- Scale bar, especially for electronic submissions
- Drawing title, paper size and revision, where applicable
Information commonly requested where relevant
- The red application boundary matching the location plan
- Existing and proposed access, parking and hard surfacing
- Trees on or adjacent to the site
- Buildings, roads and paths adjoining the site
- Walls, fences, hedges and proposed boundary treatments
- Public rights of way, drainage, levels or visibility splays
- Dimensions between proposed work, boundaries and existing buildings
Not every item applies to every proposal. Check the local validation list and the application type before assuming a generic example is sufficient.
Site Plan Scale: 1:200 or 1:500?
1:500 is a common scale for a block plan because it shows a typical property and its immediate surroundings on one sheet. It works well when the planning officer needs context around the proposal.
1:200 provides more detail and may suit a compact site, a detailed access arrangement or a council that specifically requests a larger-scale site plan. Some authorities accept either scale; others describe when each is expected.
The drawing must remain legible at its stated paper size. A plan labelled 1:500 can lose its usable scale if it is resized during export or printing, so include a scale bar and keep the original PDF page size.
| Drawing | Typical scale | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Site location plan | 1:1250 or 1:2500 | Identify the site in the surrounding area |
| Site or block plan | 1:200 or 1:500 | Show the proposal within the site |
| Floor plan or elevation | 1:50 or 1:100 | Show the design of the building |
What Is a Site Plan in UK Planning?.
Site Plans Online: Creating Yours
Historically, site plans were drawn by hand by architects or surveyors working from field measurements. Today, site plans online tools make the process accessible:
For planning applications: PlanningMapsUK generates scaled site and block-plan base maps using licensed Ordnance Survey data. Search the address, choose the coverage and scale, add the site markings you need, then download a PDF or editable CAD file. Any proposed building work and critical dimensions must still be drawn accurately from the design information.
For architectural design purposes: Architects typically work from a CAD (DWG/DXF) base map — the same OS MasterMap data, but in editable vector format. They import this into AutoCAD or similar software and draw their proposals as a layer over the OS base.
For rough concept sketches: Free drawing and map tools can help with early discussions and concept sketches. Their screenshots should not be assumed to have a reliable engineering scale, current planning detail or suitable reuse rights for a formal application.
If you are specifically looking for no-cost options, the free site plan of my property guide explains what free tools can and cannot provide.
Site Plan Creator: What to Look For
If you are searching for a site plan creator for a planning application, look for:
- Up-to-date detailed base mapping with appropriate reuse rights
- Fixed metric scale — 1:200 or 1:500 must remain accurate at the stated paper size
- Scale bar — automatically included on generated maps
- Instant download — no waiting for manual production
- PDF and CAD output — a fixed submission sheet or editable design base as required
PlanningMapsUK meets all of these criteria. It is purpose-built as a planning map generator, not a general-purpose drawing tool.
Site Plan Example: What One Looks Like
A typical site plan example for a rear extension shows:
- The house footprint: a solid outline in the centre of the plot
- The proposed extension: a hatched or shaded rectangular area attached to the rear of the house
- The garden: open space between the house and the rear boundary
- The rear boundary: a bold line with the note "1.8m close-board fence"
- The side boundaries: lines at either side of the plot
- A neighbour's garage visible just beyond the right side boundary
- A tree symbol with "Oak, 8m canopy spread"
- Scale: 1:500 @ A4
- North arrow pointing upward
- Scale bar showing 0m, 5m, 10m
- Crown copyright © 2026 Ordnance Survey licence number xxxxxx
That is a useful example, but the final drawing should follow the relevant council checklist. A new access, protected tree, sloping site or larger development may need substantially more information.
Site Plan FAQs
Q: Is a "siteplan" the same as a "site plan"?
A: Yes — "siteplan" is simply an alternative spelling or abbreviation. Both refer to the same document.
Q: Do I need a site plan if I'm not making changes to the building?
A: If your application involves no operational development (e.g., a change of use only), a site plan may not be required. Check your council's specific validation checklist for your application type.
Q: What is the difference between a proposed site plan and an existing site plan?
A: Some councils request both an "existing" site plan (showing the current state of the site) and a "proposed" site plan (showing the intended changes). Where possible, showing both existing and proposed on the same plan (using different line weights or hatching) is cleaner and easier to compare.
Q: How detailed does a site plan need to be?
A: A site plan should be clear and accurate but does not need to show engineering-level detail. It is not an architectural drawing. It needs to show the footprints of buildings, boundaries, trees, and proposals at a legible scale.
Q: Can I make my own site plan?
A: You can, provided the drawing is accurate, uses an identified metric scale, shows north and includes the information required by the council. A scaled base map can be ordered online, but the proposed work and dimensions should come from reliable design information rather than an estimate.
Q: How do I get a site plan for my property?
A: Start with an up-to-date scaled base map, then add the existing and proposed layout, dimensions and supporting details required by your council. You can create a site or block plan online or order editable CAD planning maps for your architect.
Q: Can I get a free site plan of my property?
A: Free map viewers can help you inspect the property, but a screenshot is not automatically a scaled planning drawing. The free site plan guide explains where free tools help and when you need licensed, fixed-scale output.
Conclusion
A site plan in UK planning is a scaled overhead drawing, usually at 1:200 or 1:500, showing proposed development in relation to the site boundaries, existing buildings and other relevant features. It is often called a block plan or proposed site layout.
PlanningMapsUK is an online site plan creator that generates fully compliant 1:500 site plans using licensed OS MasterMap data. Draw your boundary online, choose PDF or CAD output, and download instantly.
Create your site plan online from £12.95, with PDF and CAD options available.