Local Requirements - Existing and proposed site sections and finished floor and site levels

Types of application or development that require this information

  • All applications where new building work is proposed

What information is required?

Section drawings should be drawn at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100 and show a cross section(s) through the proposed building(s).  In all cases where a proposal involves a change in ground levels, illustrative drawings should be submitted to show both the existing and finished levels to include details of foundations and eaves and how encroachment onto adjoining land is to be avoided.

Full information should also be submitted to demonstrate how proposed buildings relate to existing site levels and neighbouring development.  Such plans should show existing site levels and finished floor levels (with levels related to a fixed datum point off site) and also show the proposals in relation to adjoining buildings.  This will be required for all applications involving new buildings.

In the case of householder proposals, the levels may be evident from floor plans and elevations, but particularly in the case of sloping sites it will be necessary to show how proposals relate to existing ground levels or where ground levels outside the extension would be modified.  

Levels should be taken into account in the formulation of design and access statements.

Details of the design and location of any retaining walls should also be included.

Where no changes to levels are proposed, the submitted plans should clearly state that this is the case.

All plans should contain an individual reference that identifies the individual plan, the version number and date of production (any amended plans submitted at a later date should follow the same reference format).

Policy driver

  • Article 7 of the Town & Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015
  • Section 10 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

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