What Your Planning Drawings Should Include: A Homeowner's Checklist

Why Drawing Quality Affects Your Application

Camden planning officers make decisions based on what they can see in your submitted drawings. Incomplete, poorly scaled, or ambiguous plans are the single most common reason for applications being delayed by requests for further information — or refused outright. Understanding what should be included gives you the confidence to review your architect's work before it is submitted and to challenge anything that looks incomplete.

The Site Plan (1:1250 and 1:500)

Every application begins with a location plan at 1:1250 scale, showing your property outlined in red within the surrounding street context. A more detailed block plan at 1:500 is also required, indicating the footprint of the existing building and the proposed extension in relation to boundaries, neighbouring buildings, trees, and any rights of way. In Hampstead's tightly packed streets, accurate boundary dimensions matter — even a fifty-millimetre discrepancy can trigger a neighbour objection about encroachment.

Existing and Proposed Floor Plans

Floor plans are drawn at 1:50 or 1:100 scale and must show every level of the building that is affected by the proposals. The existing plans demonstrate what is there today; the proposed plans show what you want to build. Walls to be demolished should be clearly indicated, typically with a dashed line or colour coding. Include room names, key dimensions, and window positions. Officers compare the two sets side by side, so consistency of drawing style between existing and proposed makes their job easier — and a happier officer is a faster officer.

Elevations

You need existing and proposed elevations for every face of the building that is visible from a public vantage point, and usually for side elevations too. These are drawn at 1:50 or 1:100 and must show materials, window proportions, and the relationship to neighbouring buildings. Where your property sits in a terrace, extend the elevation drawing to include at least one house on each side so the officer can assess the visual impact in context. In conservation areas, Camden will scrutinise roof forms, parapet heights, and the alignment of window heads with particular care.

Sections

Cross-sections cut through the building vertically and are essential for extensions that alter floor levels, dig basements, or involve changes to roof pitch. Draw sections at 1:50 scale, annotating finished floor levels, ceiling heights, and the relationship between existing and proposed ground levels. For basement projects — increasingly common in NW3 and NW6 — sections must show the depth of excavation relative to neighbouring foundations and the water table.

Context Elevations and Street Scenes

Camden increasingly requests street-scene elevations that show your proposal within the wider streetscape, particularly within conservation areas. These are typically drawn at 1:200 and include several neighbouring properties on each side. Do not underestimate their importance: a rear dormer that appears modest in isolation can look overbearing when seen against an intact row of original rooflines.

CGIs, Perspectives, and Visualisations

Computer-generated images are not mandatory for householder applications but can be highly persuasive for larger or more sensitive schemes. They help officers and neighbours visualise the finished result in a way that flat drawings cannot. Hand-drawn perspectives, while less common, can be effective for listed buildings where a more crafted aesthetic suits the character of the proposal.

Submission Format

Camden accepts applications through the national Planning Portal. Drawings must be uploaded as PDF files, with each sheet clearly titled, numbered, and dated. Include a drawing register listing every document submitted. Ensure the scale bar prints correctly — officers will check — and that north is indicated on every plan.

Useful Links

For a deeper look at the planning process, see our planning permission guide. Area-specific advice for Camden Town projects is on our Camden Town architect page, and our overview of what an architect does explains how design and planning submission fit into the larger project.

Planning strategy resources are available at planninghampstead.co.uk, and for interior design coordination alongside your planning drawings, visit designhampstead.co.uk.

If your drawings need to be right first time, contact us and we will match you with a practice that has a strong track record of successful submissions to Camden.

Architect Hampstead is a matching service operated by Hampstead Renovations Ltd. We are not an architecture practice and do not provide architectural services directly.