Buffer Tool

Draw a buffer zone of any radius around a site on the Maplify map and see which planning, heritage or environmental layers fall within it.

Open the Map to Buffer Try the Measure Tool

What You Can Do

Draw a buffer of any radius around a point or site on Maplify, then layer in planning, heritage or environmental data to see exactly what falls within that distance.

Set a Radius

Click a point on the map and set a buffer radius — from a few metres to several kilometres — to screen for constraints within that distance.

Layer in Data

With the buffer drawn, enable heritage, planning or environmental layers to instantly see which designations fall inside it.

How to Create a Buffer Zone

Open the map on Maplify.
Select the Buffer tool from the toolbar.
Click the point or site you want to check.
Set the buffer radius.
Enable the data layers relevant to your check.
Review which features fall within the buffer.

Worked Example

A homeowner is checking for heritage constraints before extending their property:

A 100-metre buffer is drawn around the proposed extension footprint.
The Listed Buildings layer shows one Grade II listed building falling just within the buffer, though not directly adjoining the site.
This flags the need to check whether the extension affects the setting of that listed building as part of the planning application.

How the Buffer Tool Works

Buffer geometry	A circular buffer of your chosen radius is generated around the point you click on the map.
Layer overlay	Any active data layer is checked against the buffer geometry so intersecting features are visible at a glance.
Radius range	From a few metres up to several kilometres, entered directly by you.

Important Limitations

A buffer is a simple radius, not a legal consultation or notification zone — confirm exact requirements with the relevant authority.
Only layers you have switched on are checked against the buffer.
Buffer analysis is a screening step and does not replace a formal constraints search.

Buffer analysis is most useful alongside Measure Distance & Area, the AI Planning Co-Pilot, the Planning Constraints Map and Tree Preservation Orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a buffer zone on a map?

A buffer zone is a ring of a set radius drawn around a point or site, used to check what falls within that distance — for example, listed buildings within 100 metres, or the catchment around a proposed access point.

What radius can I set?

You can set any radius you need, from a few metres for a close-proximity check to several kilometres for a wider area screen.

Can I combine a buffer with data layers?

Yes — draw a buffer, then enable planning, heritage or environmental layers to see which designations fall within that radius.

Why would I use a buffer for a Tree Preservation Order?

A buffer helps check for protected trees near a proposed extension or driveway, since TPO protection generally covers the tree and its root protection area rather than just the trunk location.

Is the buffer tool free?

Yes, creating a buffer on the map is free.