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  6. How to present plans, drawings and background documents for planning applications in the Craven area

How to present plans, drawings and background documents for planning applications in the Craven area

Information on sizes, types and formats of acceptable documents.

Application forms and documents are preferred as Portable Document Formats (PDFs) although we will accept other formats. A PDF is a file format that has captured all the elements of a printed document as an electronic image that you can view, navigate, print, or forward to someone else.

Please ensure the page measures at the correct size for the intended document:

Paper sizes

A0 = 46.81 x 33.11in
A1 = 33.11 x 23.39in
A2 = 23.39 x 16.54in
A3 = 16.54 x 11.69in
A4 = 11.69 x 8.27in
A5 = 8.27 x 5.83in

JPEG photographs

This format should be limited to single files. Large numbers of images should be presented as PDF.

JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. It is a method of compression that keeps as much information in the photo as it can (colours, digital info, etc.) while keeping the file size at a decent size for storage and email. However, quality may be lost when this file format is used.

Please do not submit forms or plans as JPEGs.

File naming

Give each drawing and document a unique name and number. Store existing and proposed drawings in separate and clearly labelled files.

Scale and print size

Each drawing must show the scale and print size (1:50@A3 or 1:100@A1). Please do not prepare drawings larger than A1 unless absolutely necessary.

Always use the same scale for existing and proposed elevations and floor plans. Use the same orientation (landscape or portrait).

Don't use unnecessary colour. Keep colour to a minimum so as to minimise the file size and conserve download speed. The site location plan is the only plan where colour (red and blue) is essential.

Where there are multiple documents or documents are very large you may submit these on a CD or DVD. You must provide an index on the chosen media and all files and documents must be clearly named.

We cannot accept information from transfer sites.


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The council provides services across North Yorkshire including Harrogate, Ripon, Scarborough, Whitby, Northallerton, Thirsk, Selby, Tadcaster, Malton, Pickering, Richmond, Skipton and more.

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