main content Copying of 'Copyright' Plans - P14

Although the public has a statutory right to view plans accompanying a planning application deposited after 1st April 1986, all plans submitted with an application are in fact the copyright of the person who drew them or their employer. This means that in normal circumstances permission is required before copies can be made.

Whilst, we are allowed by law to make copies of 'copyright' drawings for consultation purposes; there is no statutory obligation to provide this service.

To provide this service we have invested in a specialised 'large plan' copier. This is expensive equipment, and it is costly to operate. As a result we must charge for the copying of plans; maintenance costs, staff time, postage and VAT are reflected in the fee.

Our charges compare favourably with adjacent boroughs, some of whom only provide up to A3 size copies and some whose charges are higher.

If you do not wish to purchase copies from us, you have the option of approaching the agent/applicant who submitted the drawings, although they may also make a charge. All addresses are available from the 'public register' of planning applications held at the Civic Centre, or applications submitted after 1983. Plans and documents associated with recent town planning applications are now also available to view on line at Public Access to Planning Applications.

As part of our service the Chief Planner can make alternative arrangements for viewing plans in cases of hardship and is always open to specific requests. In these instances it is best to write to the Chief Planner explaining the circumstances.