Require WGS84 for exchanged location coordinates
- Decision
- 0007
- Status
- Proposed
- Date
- 2025-10-08
Context:
- Questions were raised about whether both easting/northing (British National Grid) and latitude/longitude are required (#305).
- The government open standard for exchanging location points mandates WGS84 lat/long (Open standards: exchange of location point).
Decision:
- Use WGS84 latitude/longitude as the required coordinate system for exchanging location data in submissions.
- British National Grid references (easting/northing) may be included as an additional convenience field but do not replace the WGS84 requirement.
Consequences:
- Components (e.g. site-location) document WGS84 as the standard and note that British National Grid references can be provided additionally/derived.
- Validation and guidance should treat WGS84 lat/long as mandatory for exchange; British National Grid is optional/extra.
- Downstream systems can rely on WGS84 for interoperability and still consume British National Grid when supplied.
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