How to Read a Planning Drawing
When your architect submits a planning application, or when you receive a planning decision notice, it will be accompanied by a set of drawings. These might include a location plan, a site plan, existing and proposed floor plans, and existing and proposed elevations. Each type of drawing shows different information, and understanding what you're looking at helps you engage meaningfully with the design, spot errors before they're built, and understand what has been approved.
The Location Plan
A location plan shows the application site in the context of the surrounding area — usually at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale. It's typically based on an Ordnance Survey map and shows roads, property boundaries, and the site outlined in red. Any other land in the applicant's ownership is outlined in blue. The location plan helps the council and neighbours understand where the application site is — it's not a detailed design drawing.
The Site Plan (or Block Plan)
A site plan shows the application site and immediate surroundings at a larger scale — typically 1:500 or 1:200. It shows the existing and proposed footprint of the building, the relationship of the building to its boundaries, access routes, parking, and any trees. The red line around the application site is shown here too. Comparing the existing and proposed site plans shows you exactly what new structures are proposed — extensions, garages, outbuildings — and how they relate to the boundary.
Floor Plans
Floor plans show the building as if cut horizontally at about 1.2m height and viewed from above. Each storey of the building is shown separately. Floor plans show the room layout, wall positions, door and window openings (shown as gaps in the walls), and staircase positions. Existing walls are typically shown in a lighter line weight or outline, while proposed new walls are shown solid or hatched. A floor plan tells you the arrangement of spaces, the relationship between rooms, and where any new openings are proposed.
Elevations
Elevations are external views of the building from each face — typically labelled as North, South, East, and West elevation (or Front, Rear, Left, and Right). They show the external appearance of the building: where windows and doors are positioned, what the roof profile looks like, and any proposed changes to the external appearance. Materials are sometimes noted on elevations or shown by hatching.
Scale and Dimensions
All planning drawings should have a stated scale (e.g., 1:100 means 1cm on the drawing represents 100cm, or 1 metre, in reality). Dimension lines on drawings show critical measurements — especially overall dimensions and the relationship of the extension to the property boundaries. Always check that the drawn dimensions match what you understand to have been agreed.
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