Create compliant, publication-ready policy maps entirely within Cadence
Planning policy maps need to be clear, consistent, and easy to maintain. Cadence gives planning teams everything they need to create and publish policy maps aligned with UK guidance without relying on multiple disconnected GIS and design tools.
Using Cadence, organisations can build interactive and static policy maps with fully customisable styling, annotation tools, hatching, and authoritative basemaps. This means users can align to official policy map guidance all within a single web-based platform.
Custom basemaps for policy presentation
Cadence supports the recommended basemap options required for policy mapping, allowing teams to choose the right cartographic backdrop for their data and publication needs. Users can choose from
- OS Open Greyscale with Labels
- OS MasterMap Topography Layer
- Aerial photography
Whether producing strategic overview maps or highly detailed local policy maps, users can configure the visual style to ensure policy information remains clear and legible.
Hatching and overlay styling
Many policy maps rely on hatching and patterned overlays to distinguish designations, constraints, and overlapping policies.
Cadence includes configurable hatching and polygon styling options, allowing users to:
- apply patterned fills
- customise colours and opacity
- distinguish overlapping policy areas
- maintain consistent visual standards across maps
This makes it easier to replicate established planning map conventions while keeping outputs clean and readable.
Draw and edit policy data directly in the browser
Cadence includes built-in annotation and drawing tools, enabling users to create and refine policy areas directly within the platform. Teams can:
- draw new policy boundaries
- edit existing geometries
- add annotations and labels
- mark up consultation changes
- rapidly update mapping during plan revisions
No desktop GIS software is required for day-to-day policy map maintenance.
Publish interactive policy maps online
Cadence makes it easy to publish policy maps as interactive web maps, helping residents, stakeholders, and planning officers explore policies spatially. Users can:
- switch layers on and off
- search locations
- inspect policy areas
- view supporting information
- access maps on desktop and mobile devices
- download the information they see on screen