CAD vs PDF Planning Maps
Compare editable CAD mapping with fixed PDF planning maps before choosing a format.
OS CAD Planning Maps
Download OS CAD Maps
in DWG & DXF
Acceptance Guarantee
Generate compliant 1:200, 1:500, 1:1250, 1:2500, 1:5000 & 1:10000 planning maps instantly. Available in PDF, DWG & DXF formats. Trusted by architects, developers, and homeowners.
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| Planning ready
Council Ready
For all UK councilsInstant Download
PDF & CAD FormatsSite & Block
All Standard ScalesExtensionsNew BuildsDropped KerbsLand RegistryLease PlansGarage ConversionsBoundary DisputesChange of UseGarden Rooms
Location Plan
Scale 1:1250 @ A4
OS-2025-8X92
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Meets UK Planning Requirements
Official Partner • Licensed Ordnance Survey Map
Preview & Download in 60 Seconds
UK Planning Ready
OS Licensed
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CAD 1:1250 · 3 haFree email delivery
By clicking "Buy & download now", you agree to our terms, refund and corrections policy.
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CAD 1:1250 · 3 haFree email delivery
By clicking "Buy & download now", you agree to our terms, refund and corrections policy.
OS CAD Map Guide
Download OS CAD Maps for Planning Work
Buy Ordnance Survey CAD planning maps in DWG and DXF format for architects, planning consultants, and surveyors. Generate OS CAD map files instantly for design and planning workflows, or use DWG maps when the brief is format-specific.
- Fully compliant site location plan (1:1250)
- Detailed block plans (1:500) available
- Official Ordnance Survey planning maps partner
Instant Download
Search, preview, and download your planning maps in under 60 seconds. No waiting for quotes.
Compliance-Checked Output
Our workflow checks your location plans for planning applications against standard planning-map presentation requirements.
The 3 Rules of Planning Maps
Why do councils reject maps? Usually, it's one of these three reasons. We handle them all automatically.
- 1 The Red Line Rule
Your site location plan must show the application site edged clearly in a red line. This includes all land necessary to carry out the development (access, gardens, etc.). If you own other land nearby, it must be edged in blue. Our tool lets you draw both effortlessly.
- 2 Scale & Direction
"About right" isn't good enough. You need specific scales: 1:1250 for location plans and 1:500 for block plans. Crucially, every map must clearly show a North point. We automatically generate compliant maps for planning permission with correct scales and orientation.
- 3 The Licensing Trap
Screenshots from Google Maps are copyright infringement and will be rejected instantly. You must use licensed Ordnance Survey planning maps. Our plans come with a valid license number clearly displayed, proving to the council you have the right to use the data.
Available Plan Sizes & Print Options
Choose the right scale, paper size, and printed-copy option for your project. All plans are OS MasterMap® accredited.
A4 Standard Paper Size — Portrait
| Map Type | Scale | Coverage | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site Plan | 1:200 | 35m x 35m | 0.12 ha | £7.95 |
| Block Plan | 1:500 | 90m x 90m | 0.81 ha | £12.95 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 141m x 141m | 2 ha | £19.95 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 225m x 225m | 5.1 ha | £39.95 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 316m x 316m | 10 ha | £49.95 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 387m x 387m | 15 ha | £54.95 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 450m x 450m | 20 ha | £59.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 707m x 707m | 50 ha | £109.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 866m x 866m | 75 ha | £149.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 1050m x 1050m | 110 ha | £212.95 |
| Regional Context Plan | 1:10000 | 2100m x 2100m | 441 ha | £374.95 |
A4 Standard Paper Size — Landscape
| Map Type | Scale | Coverage | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site Plan | 1:200 | 50m x 24m | 0.12 ha | £7.95 |
| Block Plan | 1:500 | 125m x 60m | 0.75 ha | £12.95 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 200m x 120m | 2.4 ha | £19.95 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 312m x 150m | 4.7 ha | £39.95 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 625m x 300m | 18.75 ha | £59.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 1485m x 1050m | 156 ha | £254.95 |
| Regional Context Plan | 1:10000 | 2970m x 2100m | 624 ha | £440.95 |
A3 Large Format — Portrait
| Map Type | Scale | Coverage | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site Plan | 1:200 | 50m x 50m | 0.25 ha | £18.95 |
| Block Plan | 1:500 | 127m x 127m | 1.6 ha | £24.95 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 316m x 316m | 10 ha | £49.95 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 387m x 387m | 15 ha | £74.95 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 500m x 500m | 25 ha | £99.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 707m x 707m | 50 ha | £129.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 866m x 866m | 75 ha | £169.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 1000m x 1000m | 100 ha | £199.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 1225m x 1225m | 150 ha | £239.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 1414m x 1414m | 200 ha | £269.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 1485m x 1485m | 220 ha | £281.95 |
| Regional Context Plan | 1:10000 | 2970m x 2970m | 882 ha | £525.95 |
A3 Large Format — Landscape
| Map Type | Scale | Coverage | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site Plan | 1:200 | 76m x 40m | 0.30 ha | £18.95 |
| Block Plan | 1:500 | 190m x 100m | 1.9 ha | £24.95 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 400m x 250m | 10 ha | £49.95 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 475m x 250m | 11.9 ha | £74.95 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 625m x 400m | 25 ha | £99.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 2100m x 1485m | 312 ha | £320.95 |
| Regional Context Plan | 1:10000 | 4200m x 2970m | 1247 ha | £645.95 |
A2 Extended PDF Format — Portrait
| Map Type | Scale | Coverage | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Block Plan | 1:500 | 200m x 200m | 4 ha | £39.00 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 316m x 316m | 10 ha | £79.00 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 500m x 500m | 25 ha | £129.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 707m x 707m | 50 ha | £149.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 866m x 866m | 75 ha | £159.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 1000m x 1000m | 100 ha | £169.00 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 1225m x 1225m | 150 ha | £199.00 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 1414m x 1414m | 200 ha | £219.00 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 1581m x 1581m | 250 ha | £239.00 |
A2 Extended PDF Format — Landscape
| Map Type | Scale | Coverage | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Block Plan | 1:500 | 250m x 160m | 4 ha | £39.00 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 400m x 250m | 10 ha | £79.00 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 625m x 400m | 25 ha | £129.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 1000m x 500m | 50 ha | £149.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 1250m x 600m | 75 ha | £159.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 1250m x 800m | 100 ha | £169.00 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 1500m x 1000m | 150 ha | £199.00 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 2000m x 1000m | 200 ha | £219.00 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 2500m x 1000m | 250 ha | £239.00 |
A1 Maximum PDF Format — Portrait
| Map Type | Scale | Coverage | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Block Plan | 1:500 | 283m x 283m | 8 ha | £49.00 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 707m x 707m | 50 ha | £149.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 866m x 866m | 75 ha | £179.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 1225m x 1225m | 150 ha | £209.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 1414m x 1414m | 200 ha | £229.00 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 1581m x 1581m | 250 ha | £259.00 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 2236m x 2236m | 500 ha | £329.00 |
A1 Maximum PDF Format — Landscape
| Map Type | Scale | Coverage | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Block Plan | 1:500 | 400m x 200m | 8 ha | £49.00 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | 1000m x 500m | 50 ha | £149.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 1250m x 600m | 75 ha | £179.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 1500m x 1000m | 150 ha | £209.00 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | 2000m x 1000m | 200 ha | £229.00 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 2500m x 1000m | 250 ha | £259.00 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | 4000m x 1250m | 500 ha | £329.00 |
Print Printed Copies — optional checkout add-on
| Option | Paper Size | Copies | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Printed Copy Pack | A4 | 5 colour copies | Single-plan add-on posted to your address | £10.00 |
| Printed Copy Pack | A3 | 5 colour copies | Single-plan add-on posted to your address | £15.00 |
| Bundle Print Pack | A4 | 6 colour copies | Bundle add-on with 3 copies of each plan | £10.00 |
Popular Plan Protect — optional PDF-only checkout add-on
| Option | Term | Includes | Excludes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single PDF Plan Protect | 12 months | Boundary and annotation edits, plan name / produced-for changes, map-view tweaks up to 10%, and PDF re-downloads | No CAD, no new scales, no new paper sizes | £4.95 |
| Bundle Plan Protect | 12 months | One Protect purchase covers all PDF plans in the bundle, plus re-downloads during the active term | No CAD, no new scales, no new paper sizes | £8.95 |
CAD DWG & DXF Files — Editable formats for professionals
| Map Type | Recommended Plot Scale | Coverage | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site Plan | 1:200 | ~32m × 32m | 0.1 ha | £14.95 |
| Site Plan | 1:200 | ~50m × 50m | 0.25 ha | £22.95 |
| Block Plan | 1:500 | ~90m × 90m | 0.81 ha | £29.95 |
| Block Plan | 1:500 | ~130m × 130m | 1.7 ha | £27.95 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | ~173m × 173m | 3 ha | £59.95 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | ~224m × 224m | 5 ha | £67.95 |
| Location Plan | 1:1250 | ~316m × 316m | 10 ha | £129.95 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | ~447m × 447m | 20 ha | £235.95 |
| Rural / Estate Plan | 1:2500 | ~500m × 500m | 25 ha | £239.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | ~707m × 707m | 50 ha | £339.95 |
| Large Scale Location Plan | 1:5000 | ~1000m × 1000m | 100 ha | £451.95 |
| Regional Context Plan | 1:10000 | ~1225m × 1225m | 150 ha | £563.95 |
| Regional Context Plan | 1:10000 | ~1414m × 1414m | 200 ha | £610.95 |
Includes both DWG and DXF formats. CAD files are supplied in real coordinates, so the scale shown here is a plotting guide rather than a fixed paper-output constraint.
Planning Guides
Useful guides before you submit your planning maps
DWG Maps for Planning
Learn when architects and consultants need DWG or DXF mapping for planning drawings.
Ordnance Survey MasterMap for Planning
Understand why licensed OS data matters for planning maps and CAD base mapping.
CAD vs PDF Planning Maps
When do you need OS CAD planning maps and when is PDF enough?
Use CAD when you need editable Ordnance Survey base mapping in AutoCAD, Revit, or other design tools. Use PDF planning maps when you only need a fixed submission-ready planning map. Architecture practices can also review CAD maps for architects.
Download OS CAD maps
Choose DWG and DXF when architects or consultants need layered, georeferenced base mapping for design development, red-line overlays, and drawing production.
Create CAD planning mapsUse PDF planning maps
Choose PDF if you only need a site location plan or block plan for submission to the council without editable CAD layers.
Create PDF planning map Compliance Checklist
What Makes a Planning Map Valid?
Local authorities reject up to 30% of applications due to map errors. Our system automatically enforces these 6 critical requirements.
Red Boundary Line
The application site must be edged clearly with a continuous red line. This defines the legal boundary of the development.
North Point
Every map must clearly indicate North. Ours are automatically oriented and marked.
Correct Scale Bar
Maps must be scalable. We include a precise graphical scale bar (e.g. 0-50m) on every PDF.
0m10m20m30m40m50m
1:1250 @ A4
Road Names
At least two street names must be clearly visible.
High Street
Standard Scale
Always at the required metric scale.
1:1250
OS Licensed
Valid license number printed on every plan.
License: 100053143
Trusted by architects & homeowners
Free correction if PlanningMapsUK causes a map-preparation issue.
Council Ready
🏡 Home Improvements
Planning a simple project?
We keep it simple.
Perfect for homeowners managing their own Permitted Development applications, extensions, annexes, or dropped kerbs.
- 🚗
Driveways & Landscaping
Download a 1:500 Block Plan to show your new driveway or garden layout clearly.
- 🧱
Extensions & Lofts
Get the standard 1:1250 Location Plan required for every single application.
- 📄
No CAD Skills Needed
Just select your property, check the preview, and get a ready-to-print PDF instantly.
"The easiest part of my whole planning application." — Sarah, Bristol
Pro Workflow
Built for Architects &
Developers.
Stop tracing PDF maps. Get professional, layered OS MasterMap® CAD data instantly. Integrate directly into your AutoCAD, Revit, or SketchUp workflow.
- Layered DWG/DXF Files.
- Clean, organized layers for buildings, roads, vegetation, and boundaries. No more cleaning up messy exports.
- Site & Block Scales.
- Download 1:200, 1:500, 1:1250, and 1:2500 scales simultaneously for your complete drawing package.
- Instant Delivery.
- No quotes, no waiting. Select your area, preview the data, and download files in seconds.
DWG / DXFReady
Our Promise
Acceptance Guarantee If We Get It Wrong
If a planning authority flags a PlanningMapsUK map-preparation or compliance fault, we will review it and correct the affected map free of charge.
If the issue is caused by our map output:
- Let us know exactly what the council feedback said
- We will correct and reissue the affected Site or Location Plan free of charge
- Where the issue comes from customer inputs or a changed brief, we will quote for a correction or new order instead
Our FaultAcceptance GuaranteeCorrection and reissue
Common Questions About Planning Maps
Do I need both a site location plan and a block plan?
Most planning applications require both.
1. A Site Location Plan (usually 1:1250) to show where the property is located in the neighborhood.
2. A Block Plan (usually 1:500) to show details like boundaries, driveways, and the proposed works.
Check with your local planning authority or architect, but ordering one of each is the safest bet to avoid validation delays.
How long is my Location Plan valid for?
Planning authorities generally require maps to be created within the last 12-18 months. Using an old map runs the risk of rejection if new developments (like a neighbor's extension) aren't shown. Our maps are generated live from the latest Ordnance Survey database, ensuring they are always up to date.
Can I use an old map I found online?
Generally, no. Planning authorities require up-to-date mapping with a valid license. Many people search for an "ordnance survey map of my house" hoping to use an old deed or screenshot, but planning requires current OS MasterMap® data. Using unlicensed or outdated maps is the #1 reason for application invalidation.
Does the map show my property boundary?
The map shows the underlying Ordnance Survey topography (fences, walls, buildings). You must then add the "Red Line" to indicate your specific application boundary. Our easy-to-use tool lets you draw this red boundary (and any blue land-ownership boundaries) directly onto the map before downloading.
What file formats will I receive?
You will instantly receive your plans in PDF format (perfect for emailing to councils or printing). We also offer CAD formats (DWG & DXF) for architects and design professionals, allowing for easy editing in AutoCAD and other software.
What if I make a mistake drawing my boundary?
Reply to your order email and let us know what needs changing. Customer-input redraws are normally handled as a paid correction or a new order unless we choose to waive the fee.
Do I need a plan for Permitted Development?
Yes, usually. Even for Permitted Development, you typically need to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate to prove the work was legal. This application requires the same compliant Site Location Plan as a full planning application.
How detailed is the mapping data?
We use OS MasterMap® Topography Layer, which is the most detailed and accurate mapping dataset available in Great Britain. It shows individual buildings, correct footprints, fences, paths, hydration features, and road names.
Ready to get your planning approved?
Join thousands of architects and homeowners who use our tool for licensed planning maps with correction support where the fault is ours.
Internal Linking Hub
Related guides and the next planning-map options
Related Guides
Planning guides that support this exact page
CAD vs PDF Planning Maps: Which Format Should You Use for Your Application?
A complete guide comparing CAD and PDF planning maps. Learn when to use DWG/DXF for design and when standard PDF site location plans are best for submission.
DWG Maps for Planning: CAD Planning Maps Explained
Need a DWG map for a planning application? Learn what CAD planning maps are, why architects need DWG and DXF formats, and how to get OS MasterMap data in CAD format.
Planning Maps for Builders: What to Send Your Client, Architect or Council
A practical guide to planning maps for builders, including location plans, block plans, CAD maps, client handover, quotes, and council submissions.
You May Also Need
Complementary map products in the same workflow
DWG Maps
Buy OS map DWG downloads for planning drawings, design development, and editable architectural base files.
Buy DWG mapsSite Location Plan
Buy a 1:1250 OS site location plan for planning applications, LDCs, and other council submissions.
Buy site location planBlock Plan
Create a 1:500 block plan or site plan showing buildings, access, boundaries, and proposal detail.
Buy block plan