Understanding the Role of Land and Property Classifications
Accurate land and property classifications are crucial for urban planning, development, and environmental management. By categorising land use correctly, planners and developers can make informed decisions that balance growth with sustainability. These classifications help identify the best use for each parcel of land, ensuring that residential, commercial, and industrial needs are met without compromising green spaces and agricultural areas.
The Ordnance Survey have updated their most detailed mapping with far more detail on land and property use. The mapping formerly called 'MasterMap' is now part of the National Geographic Database project (also called 'NGD'). There are now 360 classifications of land and property as shown, ranging related to business, leisure, governmental, local authority, military, agriculture, infrastructure to private residences. We've added an additional column showing an alternative commonly used name to help with finding the appropriate classification.
MapServe will shortly make available these land and property use classifications available as a CAD layer to order. These classifications have particular benefit if you're an architect, surveyor or planner. From able to make a better case for a building's change of use, using them in Design and Access statements to use in planning applications, these land and property classifications should make life far easier.
|
Original Name
|
Commonly Used Name |
| Ambulance Station | EMS Base |
| Animal Treatment Site | Veterinary Clinic |
| Community Meeting Place | Community Centre |
| Leisure Or Sports Centre | Sports Complex |
| Attraction Or Leisure Site | Tourist Attraction, Theme Park |
| Cycling Sports Facility | Velodrome |
| Electricity Distribution Site | Electrical Substation |
| Public Recycling Site | Recycling Centre |
| School | Educational Institution |
| Ferry Vehicular Terminal | Ferry Port, Ferry Terminal |
| Multi-Purpose Community Site | Community Centre |
| Caravan Site | RV Park |
| Art Gallery | Art Museum |
| Prison | Correctional Facility |
| Amenity And Open Space Site | Public Park, Open Space |
| Football Ground (Spectating) | Football Stadium |
| Hotel | Lodging, Hotel Accommodation |
| Inshore Rescue Boat Station | Coast Guard Station |
| Airport With Scheduled Services | Commercial Airport |
| Private Residential Site | Housing Development |
| Military Accommodation Site | Barracks, Military Housing |
| Cemetery | Burial Ground, Graveyard |
| Playing Field | Sports Field, Athletic Field |
| Public Park Or Garden | Park |
| Balancing Pond | Retention Pond |
| Social Care Services Site | Social Services Centre |
| Chapel | Place of Worship |
| Tourist Information Centre | Visitor Information Centre |
| Power Station | Power Plant |
| Communal Residential Site | Housing Community |
| Skateboard Park | Skate Park |
| Farm Site | Agricultural Farm |
| University Sports Or Exercise Facility | University Sports Centre, Campus Gymnasium |
| Retail Complex | Shopping Centre, Mall |
| Rugby Pitch Or Ground (Participation) | Rugby Field, Rugby Ground |
| Military Site | Military Base, Army Camp |
| Retail Site | Shopping Centre, Retail Outlet |
| Arts Centre | Art Gallery |
| University | Campus |
| Central Government Services | Government Office, Government Centre |
| Training Site | Training Facility |
| Outdoor Activity Centre | Adventure Park, Outdoor Recreation Centre |
| Park And Ride Car Park | Transportation Hub, Parking Facility |
| Medical Care Site | Medical Facility, Clinic |
| Horse Racing Or Breeding Stables | Racetrack, Equestrian Centre |
| Biogas Power Station | Renewable Energy Plant, Biogas Facility |
| Mosque | Islamic Center, Place of Worship |
| Docks | Dockyard, Harbour |
| Amusement Park | Theme Park, Funfair |
| Local Government Site | Government Office, Municipal Centre |
| HM Coastguard Station | Coast Guard Station |
| Water Monitoring Station | Environmental Monitoring Station |
| Sports Pavilion | Sports Facility, Athletic Pavilion |
| Cathedral | Church, Religious Building |
| Athletics Ground | Athletic Stadium, Track and Field Facility |
| Swimming Pool | Pool |
| Waste Water Treatment Works | Sewage Treatment Plant, Wastewater Facility |
| Heating Plant | Heating Station, Heat Generation Plant |
| Medical Care Accommodation | Healthcare Facility, Medical Centre |
| Religious Community Site | Place of Worship, Religious Centre |
| Paddling Pool | Wading Pool, Kiddie Pool |
| Riding Stables | Equestrian Centre, Horse Riding Facility |
| Ice Rink | Ice Skating Arena |
| Football Stadium | Soccer Stadium, Soccer Field |
| Manufacturing Site | Industrial Plant, Factory |
| Library | Library, Information Centre |
| Recreational Or Social Club | Social Club, Recreation Centre |
| Telephone Exchange | Telecom Exchange, Switching Station |
| Police Station | Police Department, Law Enforcement Office |
| Rugby Ground (Spectating) | Rugby Stadium, Rugby Field |
| Bowls Site | Bowling Green, Lawn Bowling Facility |
| Golf Driving Range | Golf Range, Golf Practice Facility |
| Allotments | Community Gardens, Garden Plots |
| Public Convenience | Public Toilet, Public Restroom |
| Ski Centre | Ski Resort, Ski Area |
| Horticulture Botanical Garden | Botanical Garden, Horticultural Park |
| Electricity Sub Station | Electrical Substation, Transformer Station |
| Car Cleaning Site | Car Wash |
| Museum | Museum, Art Gallery |
| Public House | Pub, Tavern, Bar |
| Vehicle Repair Garage | Car Repair Shop, Car Garage |
| Church | Place of Worship, Religious Building |
| Children's Nursery | Daycare Centre, Preschool |
| Abattoir | Slaughterhouse, Meat Processing Plant |
| Conference Or Exhibition Centre | Convention Centre, Conference Venue |
| Recreation Ground | Recreational Area, Open Space |
| Filling Station | Gas Station, Fueling Station |
| Water Distribution Site | Water Treatment Plant, Water Supply Station |
| Marina | Boat Harbour, Marina Facility |
| Business Or Industrial Park | Industrial Park, Business Park |
| Solar Power Site | Solar Farm, Photovoltaic Power Plant |
| Fire Station | Fire Department, Emergency Response Centre |
| Golf Course | Golf Course, Golf Club |
| University | College, Higher Education Institution |
| School Place Of Worship | Religious School, Worship Centre |
| Hospice | Palliative Care Centre |
| Police Support Site | Police Training Facility |
| Tourist Attraction | Tourist Destination, Visitor Attraction |
| Airfield | Airstrip, Runway |
| Post Office | Mail Centre, Postal Service |
| Hydroelectric Power Generating | Hydroelectric Plant, Power Generation Facility |
| Flood Or Water Controlling Site | Flood Control Facility, Dam |
| Service Area | Rest Stop, Service Plaza |
| Observing Station | Observation Facility, Research Station |
| Dairy Processing Site | Dairy Plant, Milk Processing Facility |
| Construction Site | Building Site, Construction Area |
| Camping And Caravanning Site | Campground, RV Park |
| Health Centre | Healthcare Centre, Medical Clinic |
| Picnic Area | Picnic Site, Picnic Ground |
| Theatre | Theatre, Performing Arts Centre |
| Quarry | Stone Quarry, Mining Site |
| Gas Governor | Gas Regulation Station, Control Valve |
| Bus Station | Bus Terminal, Intermodal Transport Hub |
| Cycle Hire Station | Bike Rental Station, Bicycle Rental Hub |
| Holiday Accommodation | Vacation Rental, Holiday Lodging |
| Rugby Stadium | Rugby Field, Rugby Ground |
| Distribution Or Storage Site | Storage Facility, Warehouse |
| Curling Rink | Curling Arena, Ice Sports Facility |
| Football Ground (Participation) | Football Field, Soccer Field |
| Railway Station | Train Station, Railroad Station |
| Water Treatment Site | Water Purification Plant, Treatment Facility |
| Art Gallery And Library And Museum | Cultural Centre, Arts and History Complex |
| Law Court | Courthouse, Judicial Building |
| Public Waste Disposal site | Waste Management Facility, Landfill |
| Public Car Park | Parking Lot, Parking Facility |
| Police Headquarters | Police Department Headquarters, HQ |
| Military Reserves Site | Reserve Training Centre, Army Reserve Base |
| Industry And Business Site | Industrial Zone, Business Park |
| Steel Works | Steel Plant, Steel Manufacturing Facility |
| Cricket Ground (Participation) | Cricket Field, Cricket Ground |
| College | Higher Education Institution, University |
| Kingdom Hall | Religious Meeting Place, Worship Hall |
| Crematorium | Crematory, Funeral Home |
| Commercial Hostel | Budget Accommodation, Hostel |
| Visitor Information Centre | Tourist Information Centre, Visitor Centre |
| Amusement And Show Place Site | Entertainment Venue, Showground |
| Synagogue | Jewish Temple, Place of Worship |
| Youth Recreational Or Social Club | Youth Centre, Youth Club |
| Pumping Station | Pump Station, Water Pumping Facility |
| Play Area | Playground, Recreational Area |
| Youth Hostel | Hostel, Budget Accommodation |
| Sports Or Exercise Facility | Fitness Center, Gym |
| Gas Distribution Or Storage Site | Gas Facility, Gas Storage Facility |
| Unclassified Site | Unspecified Site, Unknown Location |
| Religious Meeting Place | Place of Worship, Worship Venue |
| Hospital | Medical Centre, Healthcare Facility |
| Tennis Site | Tennis Court, Tennis Facility |
| Go-Kart Track | Go-Kart Race Track |
To enhance the blog post on land and property classifications, here's some additional content:
Importance of Accurate Land and Property Classifications
Accurate land and property classifications are crucial for urban planning, development, and environmental management. By categorising land use correctly, planners and developers can make informed decisions that balance growth with sustainability. These classifications help identify the best use for each parcel of land, ensuring that residential, commercial, and industrial needs are met without compromising green spaces and agricultural areas.
Benefits for Professionals
For architects, surveyors, and planners, these detailed classifications simplify the planning process. They provide a clear understanding of land use, aiding in the creation of Design and Access Statements and enhancing the accuracy of planning applications. This level of detail supports more effective communication with stakeholders and regulatory bodies, streamlining the approval process.
Future Developments
With ongoing updates to the National Geographic Database (NGD), users can expect even more precise and comprehensive mapping solutions. These advancements will continue to support better planning and development, contributing to well-organised and sustainable urban environments.