Indicative layout
Outline planning applications can be used to find out whether a proposed development is likely to receive planning permission, before substantial costs are incurred developing a detailed design. They generally involve the submission of outline proposals, the details of which are agreed as 'reserved matters' applications at a later stage.
Outline planning applications involve consideration of the use and amount of development. As a minimum therefore, they will include an indicative layout of the proposed development, giving an indication of:
- The site boundary.
- The immediate surroundings and orientation.
- Means of access onto the site.
- Separate development zones proposed within the site boundary.
- Uses for each building.
- The upper and lower height limits for each building.
- Their position in relation to streets.
- An indication of built form and blocking.
- Landscape structure.
- Overall character of the site.
An indicative layout can be similar to a block plan or site plan, but is typically an earlier and less detailed version.
Indicative layouts may also be prepared in the early stages of a project for feasibility studies and options appraisals.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Digital technology, transformation and cybersecurity
Supporting SMEs through Digitalisation in Construction.
Villa Wolf in Gubin, history and reconstruction. Book review.
Construction contract awards down £1bn
Decline over the past two months compared to the same period last year, follows the positive start to the year.
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.
New CIAT Professional Standards Competency Framework
Supercedes the 2019 Professional Standards Framework from 1 May 2025.
Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds
Free exhibition at the RIBA Architecture Gallery until 31 May.
PPN 021: Payment Spot Checks in Public Sub-Contracts
Published following consultation and influence from ECA.
Designing Buildings reaches 20,000 articles
We take a look back at some of the stranger contributions.
Lessons learned from other industries.
The Buildings of the Malting Industry. Book review.
Conserving places with climate resilience in mind.
Combating burnout.