Help using our online maps

Alternative formats

Understanding the icons

Address search

Using map layers

Printing a map

Further help

Alternative formats

Preston City Council strives to meet the needs of computer users with visual impairment or other conditions that limit accessibility. A link to text based “find my nearest” and “about my property” search is available as an alternative to the graphical interface map link, below.

Understanding the icons

Zoom in: click this button to zoom in towards the centre of the map by a factor of 2. Click the button again to zoom in further.

Zoom out: click this button to zoom out from the centre of the map by a factor of 2. Click the button again to zoom out further.

Zoom to extent of Borough: this button will zoom to the extent of the Preston boundary.

Zoom box: this button will enable you to zoom to a particular area of the map. Click on the map and, holding the mouse button down, drag the mouse over the map to draw a box. When you release the mouse button, the map will zoom to the area you selected.

Drag pan: this button enables you to drag and pan around the map. Click and drag the map by holding down your left mouse button to move the map in any direction.

Back : this button will return the map window to the previously viewed item.

Forward : this button is only available to press if the back button has already been clicked and will return you to the item viewed initially.

Measure a Line: this button allows you to measure the distance of a line or a series of lines. You can choose to see the results in Metric or Imperial.

Measure an Area: this button allows you to measure the area of a polygon. You can choose to see the results in Metric or Imperial.

Get information: once you have selected a map layer it is possible to find out information relating to the features within the map layer, such as the name of a Ward, planning application details or the allocation of a particular site in the UDP.

Directional move: the buttons around the edges of the map window allow you to move or pan the map in any of the eight directions by clicking on the individual arrows. The map will move a half of the map width in the direction of the chosen arrow.

Key map: The key map shows the outline of the Preston Borough boundary. A red rectangle shows which part of the area is shown in the current map window. You can click on the Key Map to re-centre the map window at the location where you click. To display or hide the key map check or uncheck the Show Borough map checkbox.

Map scales:

• A map displayed at a small scale (e.g. 1:50,000) shows less detail and smaller map features but covers a larger area.
• A map displayed at a large scale (e.g. 1:1,250) shows more detail and larger map features but covers a smaller area.

Address search

You can use 'Address search' to search for and display a specific location on the map.

The search facility is not case sensitive, so you may use upper or lower case. To search for a location, enter details into one or more of the following boxes:

• Building name/no: to minimise the search results you should also enter a street name or postcode in the relevant box.
• Street name: to minimise the number of search results you should type in the full name of the street and also enter a building name/number or postcode in the relevant box.
• Postcode: enter the full postcode eg PR1 2RL.

After entering details in one or more of the boxes, click on the 'Search' button. The results of the search will be displayed on screen in the box below. Click on the required address in the list in order to display the map at that location. A pin marker on the map will identify the address you selected.

Please note: If you have already zoomed to a specific location – the map window will remain at this location until you either complete a new search or move around the map using the map tools or other functions.

Map Layers

This function allows you to turn on and off the various mapping layers.

Expand Layers:Click to expand the tree to show the layers.

Contract Layers:Click to contract the tree.

To make a layer visible ensure there is a tick in the tick box.

Printing a map

Please note that you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or above to be able to print maps.

Please note there are also certain restrictions that apply to printing maps:

• Maps should not be printed unless Preston City Council map layers are visible on the map due to Ordnance Survey Licence Agreement restrictions.
• You must not print a map that just shows Ordnance Survey base mapping.
• A single print is permitted for your own personal use.
• These maps are for identification purposes only and must not be used for formal documentation. You cannot use this Online Mapping Service to produce printed maps for the purpose of submitting a planning application.
• You can use the 'Print map' function to print a map in PDF format.

First select the paper size / orientation and then map scale from the options displayed on screen.

Now click on the ‘Print' button and a PDF will be created in a new internet explorer window.

You can then email, print or save the PDF using the buttons at the top of the new window.

Further help

For further information or assistance please email interactive maps support.