3D models for planning applications

When you need a 3D model

You'll need a 3D model for planning applications involving:

• a new building over 200 square metres
  
• any scheme proposing the construction of more than 1 building
  
• any revised plans application to an approval that provided a 3D model as part of the original submission

We recommend that you contact the department before submitting an application to find out if a 3D model is required. If a 3D model isn't required, you can still provide one to support your application.

Access to the 3D model

A 3D model is designed for use by the public to understand proposals and assist applicants in preparing their application and justify their proposals.

Submitted 3D models are:

• available to view on the planning and building application register
  
• licensed to architects and developers with full editing access to assist with their own developments
  
• used as an assessment tool to determine planning applications
  

How to submit a 3D model

When submitting a 3D model, you'll need to:

1. determine if the context you require is available for free as part of your Digimap license or if you need to order a tile. You can do this by looking up the site location on Jersey 3D model map
   
2. contact RealSIM if you need to order a tile or if you're unsure. They can assist you or advise. If 3D mapping data is required, they'll compile the data request and get a pricing for you.
3. request 'as is' environment simulation from RealSIM (optional)
4. design your building or development
5. insert your design into 1 or more geo-referenced Government of Jersey SketchUp tiles
6. send your tile to RealSIM for pre-submission check. Ensure your model meets all items on the pre-submission checklist below
7. submit your SketchUp tiles with your planning submission. RealSIM can validate your model files immediately if they have been checked pre-subsmission

RealSIM developed the software for the Jersey 3D model and provide ongoing assistance. They can support you to create your 3D online model using the Government of Jersey 3D model data.

RealSIM Limited​

Pre-submission checklist

Before you submit the SketchUp tiles, make sure:

• the model is supplied in 1 or more 500 metre SketchUp tiles with terrain and buildings 
• the model contains all buildings within a minimum of 50 metre radius of site boundary
• a mesh layer containing heights of all vegetation within context area is provided
• external facade details only are included. Remove details such as furniture and door handles 
  
• proposed model is an efficient file size 
• all model faces oriented outwards
• 2D CAD site plan are supplied

Pre-submission assistance

You can contact RealSIM for pre-submission assistance if you want to check that your model complies with the requirements before formally submitting a planning application. This service is free of charge.

RealSIM can also provide you assistance at the very start of the design process, to:

• advise
• supply mapping
• supply 3D context building data

It's an advantage for you to use the pre-design and submission assistance to speed-up the model validation process. Your planning application won't be validated until the model submitted meets the technical requirements.

Model information

Model detail

Your proposed building model should contain external details including building facades but exclude fine details such as door handles. Furniture and fittings should be removed from internal floors. Your models should ideally be less than 200,000 polygons.

Model textures

All models should be textured or coloured with photographs to match your proposed colour scheme as closely as possible. Your proposed textures should be supplied separately in a textures folder.

Model face orientation

All faces in your model should face outwards.

How to change SketchUp model face orientation video on Youtube

Using model layers

It's good practice to divide your model into layers relating to different aspects of the proposed development. For example, existing and proposed buildings should be separate layers.

Context information

Context model extent

All building proposals must be set within 1 or more Government of Jersey 500 metre SketchUp tiles. It must contain all buildings within a minimum 50 metre zone from the site boundary. This zone of influence may need to increase where it is deemed there is an appreciable visual impact on a neighbouring property beyond 50 metre from your site boundary. 

Availability of 'off-the-shelf' context terrain, buildings and vegetation 3D model data

Jersey 3D SketchUp and Collada tiles are available with a mapping licence. These tiles contain terrain data for the whole Island.

After a programme to improve coverage 3D buildings and vegetation height layers are now available for the whole Island, after only being available for the Island’s urban centres.​

Distribution of 3D building models currently available under annual mapping license

Acquiring new context terrain, buildings and vegetation 3D model data

If 3D model data of buildings and vegetation does not already exist within the 50 metre zone of your site boundary, you'll need to acquire it. This will need to be included in the relevant SketchUp tile as part of the model submission with your planning application.

There is no obligation on how or who acquires this data for you, but it must at least meet the level of detail and accuracy of existing 3D buildings data for the Island.

Cost of 3D models

Our 3D and associated terrain models are free to all existing Government of Jersey mapping licence holders.

If you don't hold a mapping license, the 3D and associated terrain models will be charged to place your model into the Government of Jersey 3D model.

If a modification is made to the application which alters the external appearance of the building once it's submitted to the department, a new model will be required but no additional fee applied.

Find the full price list of data and services from our commercial business partners.