The short answer
Yes — you can legally draw and submit your own plans for a planning application in the UK. There's no rule that drawings must come from an architect or any registered professional. But the local authority requires accurate, scaled drawings — typically a location plan, a site/block plan, and existing and proposed plans and elevations — and the quality matters. Inaccurate, out-of-scale or unclear drawings are one of the most common reasons applications are refused or held up, which can cost months. DIY plans can work well for a simple, uncontroversial project if you're careful and use proper scales; for anything in a conservation area, close to boundaries, or likely to draw objections, professionally prepared drawings give a much better chance of approval.
Plenty of homeowners draw their own planning plans to save money, and it's entirely legal. But "allowed" and "advisable" aren't the same thing. Here's what's required, the tools you can use, and where self-drawn plans tend to fail.
DIY planning plans
- Allowed?Yes
- Must be to scale?Yes
- Location plan scaleUsually 1:1250
- Common failureInaccuracy / wrong scale
- DIY suitsSimple, low-risk projects
What your plans must include
The planning system doesn't judge who drew the plans — it judges whether they're complete, accurate and to a recognised scale. For a householder application you'll generally need:
- A location plan, usually at 1:1250, with your site outlined in red (and any adjoining land you own in blue).
- A site or block plan, often 1:500, showing the building within its plot, boundaries and distances.
- Existing and proposed plans and elevations, drawn to scale (commonly 1:50 or 1:100), so officers can see precisely what's changing.
- Accurate measurements and a scale bar, north point, and clear labelling.
You can buy an official location plan online and prepare the rest yourself. The standard isn't artistic — it's accuracy and clarity.
Tools and how people draw their own plans
If you do it yourself, you don't have to draw by hand. Common approaches range from free software to paying only for the parts that are hardest to get right:
| Approach | Good for | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|
| Free / low-cost CAD software | Accurate scaled drawings if you learn it | Learning curve |
| Buy location plan, draw rest yourself | Saving money on simple jobs | Must be accurate |
| Measured survey first | Getting dimensions right | Time / effort |
| Pay a technician for drawings only | Compliance without full architect fee | Still a cost |
Indicative options for guidance only. Sources: Planning Portal and HomeOwners Alliance guidance.
When DIY plans are a false economy
Drawing your own plans makes sense for a simple, low-risk project — a modest extension well within the rules, an outbuilding, or a change that's unlikely to attract objections — provided you're comfortable measuring accurately and working to scale. It becomes a false economy when the application is likely to be contested or scrutinised:
- In a conservation area, near a listed building, or in an AONB/National Park, where design quality is closely assessed.
- Close to boundaries or neighbours' windows, where overlooking and daylight objections are common and the drawings need to make a careful case.
- Where a previous application was refused and the resubmission has to be stronger.
- Anywhere the proposal pushes against local policy and needs to be argued, not just drawn.
The honest summary: you're free to draw and submit your own plans, and many people successfully do for straightforward work. But a refusal costs time and momentum, so weigh the saving against the risk. Remember too that planning is separate from Building Regulations — even self-drawn planning plans don't replace the technical drawings and calculations you'll need to actually build.
Frequently asked questions
Do planning drawings have to be done by an architect?
No. There's no requirement for an architect or any registered professional. You can draw and submit your own plans, or use a technologist, designer or planning consultant. The drawings just have to be accurate, to scale and complete.
What scale should planning drawings be?
Common scales are 1:1250 for the location plan, 1:500 for the site/block plan, and 1:50 or 1:100 for plans and elevations. The exact requirements are on the Planning Portal and your local authority's validation checklist, and drawings must include a scale bar and north point.
What happens if my drawings are inaccurate?
Inaccurate or out-of-scale drawings are a common reason applications are deemed invalid, delayed or refused. Planning officers need to scale dimensions off the drawing and trust them, so errors can cost you months and a resubmission.
Sources & further reading
- Planning Portal — plans and drawings for an application
- GOV.UK — planning permission
- HomeOwners Alliance — planning permission guide
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific project. They are guidance, not a quotation.