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A1
Shops |
Retail sale of goods to the public - Shops, Post Offices, Travel Agencies & Ticket Agencies, Hairdressers, Funeral Director & Undertakers, Domestic Hire Shops, Dry Cleaners, Sandwich Bars - Sandwiches or other cold good purchased and consumed off the premises, Internet Cafes. |
No Permitted Change |
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A2
Financial & Professional Services |
Financial Services - Banks, Building Societies and Bureau de Change. Professional Services (Other than Health or Medical Services) - Estate Agents & Employment Agencies. Other Services - Betting Shops. Principally where services are provided to visiting members of the public. |
A1
(where there is a ground floor display window) |
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A3
Restaurants & Cafes |
Restaurants and Cafes - Use for the sale of food for consumption on the premises. Excludes Internet Cafes (now A1). |
A1 or A2 |
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A4
Drinking Establishments |
Use as a Public House, Wine-Bar or other Drinking Establishment. |
A1, A2 or A3 |
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A5
Hot Food Takeaway |
Use for the sale of hot food for consumption off the premises. |
A1, A2 or A3 |
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B1
Business |
(a) Offices other than in a use within Class A2 (Financial & Professional Services)
(b) Research and Development - Laboratories, Studios
(c) Light Industry |
B8
(where no more than 235m2) |
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B2
General Industrial |
General Industry (Other than Classified as in B1)
The former 'Special Industrial' Use Classes, B3 - B7, are now encompassed in B2 Use Class. |
B1 or B8
(B8 limted to 235m2) |
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B8
Storage or Distribution |
Storage or Distribution Centres - Wholesale Warehouses, Distribution Centres & Repositories. |
B1
(where no more than 235m2) |
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C1
Hotels |
Hotels, Boarding Houses & Guest Houses.
Development falls within the class if 'no significant element of care is provided' |
No Permitted Change |
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C2
Residential Institutions |
Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Residential Education and Training Centres.
Use for the provision of residential accommodation and care to people in need of care. |
No Permitted Change |
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C3
Dwellinghouses |
Dwellings for individuals, families or not more than six people living together as a single household. Not more than six people living together includes - students or young people sharing a dwelling and small group homes for disabled or handicapped people living together in the community. |
No Permitted Change |
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D1
Non-Residential Institutions |
Medical & Health Services - Clinics & Health Centres, Creche, Day Nursery, Day Centres & Consulting Rooms (not attached to the Consultants or Doctors house), Museums, Public Libraries, Art Galleries, Exhibition Halls, Non-residential Education and Training Centres, Places of Worship, Religious Instruction & Church Halls. |
No Permitted Change |
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D2
Assembly & Leisure |
Cinemas, Dance and Concert Halls, Sports Halls, Swimming Baths, Skating Rinks, Gymnasiums, Bingo Halls & Casinos. Other Indoor and Outdoor Sports and Leisure Uses, not involving motorised vehicles or firearms. |
No Permitted Change |
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Sui Generis
(see footnote) |
For example: Retail Warehouse Clubs, Amusement Arcades, Launderettes, Petrol Filling Stations, Taxi Business, Car/Vehicle Hire Businesses & the Selling and Displaying of Motor Vehicles, Nightclubs, Theatres, Hostels, Builders Yards, Garden Centres. |
No Permitted Change
(See Footnote) |
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Footnote: - Whilst the most commonly found uses are contained within the 1987 Use Classes Order, there are many uses that are not specifically categorised by the four main use classes. These uses are classified as sui generis. We have tried to illustrate some of the sui generis uses in the above table, but they are not intended to be exhaustive. Sui generis uses are their own seecific use and planning permission is normally required for any change of use.
This is a general guide only and is not intended to be comprehensive or s substitute for taking detailed professional advice. Noliability is accepted for the information it contains or for any errors or omissions. |
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Accessibility
The ability of people to move around an area and reach places and facilities, including elderly and disabled people, those with young children and those encumbered with luggage or shopping.
Adopted Proposals Map
A component of a Local Development Framework and an important part of the development plan, or DPD itself, showing the location of proposals in all current Development Plan Documents, on an Ordnance Survey base map.
Adoption
The final confirmation of a development plan or Local Development Document status by a local planning authority (LPA).
Aerobic Digestion
Biological treatment of biodegradable organic waste in the presence of oxygen, producing a residue suitable for use as a soil improver.
Affordable Housing (or sub-market housing)
Housing, whether for rent, shared ownership or outright purchase, provided at a cost considered affordable in relation to incomes that are average or below average, or in relation to the price of general market housing.
Aftercare (in terms of minerals operations)
The steps to be taken to bring land to the required standard for use for its intended use once mineral working has taken place, and its subsequent maintenance.
Aggregates
Sand, gravel, crushed rock and other bulk materials used by the construction industry.
Agricultural (Forestry or Other Rural Occupational) Dwelling
A dwelling which is subject to a planning condition or legal agreement restricting occupation to someone employed, or was last employed, in agriculture, forestry or other appropriate rural employment.
Agricultural Waste
Waste from a farm or market garden, consisting of matter such as manure, slurry and crop residues.
Air Quality Management Strategy (AQMS)
A designation made by a local authority where an assessment of air quality results in the need to devise an action plan to improve the quality of air.
Alteration
A partial review of a development plan, started under the planning system prior to September 2004.
Amenity
A positive element or elements that contribute to the overall character or enjoyment of an area. For example, open land, trees, historic buildings and the inter-relationship between them, or less tangible factors such as tranquillity.
Amenity Green-space
Open land, often landscaped, that makes a positive contribution to the appearance of an area or improves the quality of the lives of people living or working within the locality. It often provides opportunities for activities such as sports, and can serve other purposes such as reducing the noise from a busy road or providing shelter from prevailing winds.
Anaerobic Digestion
Organic matter broken down by bacteria in the absence of air, producing a gas (methane) and solid (digestate). The by-products can be useful, for example biogas can be used in a furnace, gas engine, turbine or gas-powered vehicles, and digestates can be re-used on farms as a fertiliser.
Ancient Woodland
Woodland that is believed to have existed from at least medieval times.
Ancillary Use / Operations
A subsidiary or secondary use or operation closely associated with the main use of a building or piece of land.
Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)
A report submitted to the government by local planning authorities or regional planning bodies assessing progress with and the effectiveness of a Local Development Framework.
Appeal
The process whereby a planning applicant can challenge an adverse decision, including a refusal of permission. Appeals can also be made against the failure of the planning authority to issue a decision within a given time, against conditions attached to permission, against the issue of an enforcement notice and against refusals of listed building and conservation area consent.
In England and Wales, appeals are processed by the Planning Inspectorate.
Apportionment (amount of minerals needed)
The splitting of regional supply guidelines for minerals demand between planning authorities or sub regions.
Aquifers
The special underground rock layers that hold groundwater, which are often an important source of water for public water supply, agriculture and industry.
Archaeological Assessment / Evaluation
An assessment of the potential archaeological interest of a site or building. This can be either a desk-based assessment or a field assessment, involving ground survey and small-scale pits or trial trenching carried out by professionally qualified archaeologist(s) looking for historical remains.
Archaeological Reserve
A non-statutory designation for protecting archaeological remains.
Area Action Plan
A type of Development Plan Document focused upon a specific location or an area subject to conservation or significant change (for example major regeneration).
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
An area with statutory national landscape designation, the primary purpose of which is to conserve and enhance natural beauty. Together with National Parks, AONB represent the nation's finest landscapes. AONB are designated by the Countryside Agency.
Area of Search
A broad area within which sites are sought for development, for example, for housing, mineral extraction, or renewable energy.
Article 4 Direction
Direction removing some or all permitted development rights, for example within a conservation area or curtilage of a listed building. Article 4 directions are issued by local planning authorities.
Article 14 Direction
A 'holding' direction (often a letter) issued by the by government stating that a local planning authority cannot grant planning permission for a particular proposal until further notice.
Back-land development
Development of 'landlocked' sites behind existing buildings, such as rear gardens and private open space, usually within predominantly residential areas. Such sites often have no street frontages.
Best Available Techniques (BAT)
In terms of assessing the potential effects of pollution, a system that aims to balance the costs to the operator against the benefits to the environment.
Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land
Land identified by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as falling within classification grades 1, 2 or 3a, based on the physical characteristics of the land and the limits these impose upon its agricultural uses.
Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO)
There are many different ways of dealing with waste, and the BPEO is basically the waste management option that provides the most benefit or least damage to the environment as a whole, at an acceptable cost, in both the short and long term. For example, recycling versus landfill.
Best Value
The way an authority measures, manages and improves its performance eith regard to government targets.
Betterment
Means through the tax system of capturing the development value of land for the benefit of the community.
Biodegradable waste
Waste that is capable of breaking down naturally, such as food, garden waste and paper.
Bio-diversity
The whole variety of life encompassing all genetics, species and ecosystem variations, including plans and animals.
Bio-diversity Action Plan (BAP)
A strategy prepared for a local area aimed at conserving and enhancing biological diversity.
Biological Treatment
Any biodegradable (breaking down) process that changes the properties of waste, such as anaerobic digestion and composting.
Biomass
Living matter within an environmental area, for example plant material, vegetation, or agricultural waste used as a fuel or energy source.
Blight
In general terms, blight is the depressing effect on an area or property caused by potential development proposals, for example a proposed major new road.
Borrow Pit
A temporary mineral working to supply material for a specific construction project.
Breach of Conditions Notice
A notice served by a local planning authority where they suspect that a planning condition linked to a planning permission has been breached.
Brief / Planning Brief
A planning brief can include site-specific development briefs, design briefs, development frameworks and master plans that seek to positively shape future development.
Bring systems (public recycling facilities)
Recycling schemes where the public deliver their recyclables to a central collection point, such as those in supermarket car parks for bottles and cans.
Broadband
Fast, always-on internet connection.
Brownfield Land and Sites
See 'Previously-Developed Land'.
Buffer Zone
An area of land separating certain types of development from adjoining sensitive land uses. Often used in relation to minerals and/or waste development.
Building
The term building refers to the whole or any part of any structure or erection. It does not include plant or machinery comprised in a building.
Building Preservation Notice
A notice applying to a building all the protection afforded to Listed Buildings on a temporary basis, during which time the Secretary of State will consider whether the building should be granted Listed Building status. The building should be of special historic or architectural interest and be in danger of demolition or alteration harmful to the character of the building.
Bulky Goods
Goods of a large physical nature (for example DIY, furniture, carpets) that sometimes require large areas for storage or display.
Bund
An artificial mound or embankment used to either screen a site from view, or reduce noise emissions.
Business Improveeent Districts (BID)
Designated town centre management (and sometimes other areas) where businesses agree to pay additional rates to fund improvements to the general retail environment.
Business Planning Zone (BPZ)
BPZs offer a simplified planning regime whereby specific 'low-impact' development, conforming to a scheme setting out acceptable use classes and general design standards, might not require planning permission.
CABE
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. A public body acting as a champion of good design in England.
'Call-in' or Called-in Planning Application
The Deputy Prime Minister can "call in" certain planning applications that local authorities propose to approve. For example, where it may have wider effects beyond the immediate locality, significant regional or national controversy, or potential conflict with national policy. These will then be subject to a public inquiry presided over by a Planning Inspector who will make recommendation to the Deputy Prime Minister who will decide the application instead of the local planning authority.
Capacity (in retailing terms)
Potential spending by the public within the catchment area, with which to support existing and additional retail floorspace.
Catchment (in retailing terms)
The geographical area from which a retail destination draws its trade. Sometimes measured in terms of 'Drive Time'.
Certificate of Immunity from Listing
Certificate granting immunity from listing or the issuing of a Building Preservation Notice for a period of five years. Only granted when planning permission has been granted or is being sought for a development.
Change of Use
A change in the way that land or buildings are used (see Use Classes Order). Planning permission is usually necessary in order to change from one 'use class' to another.
Character
A term relating to Conservation Areas or Listed Buildings, but also to the appearance of any rural or urban location in terms of its landscape or the layout of streets and open spaces, often giving places their own distinct identity.
Chief Planning Officer
The lead planning officer at a local authority. Some authorities use the title Head of Planning.
Circular
A government publication setting out procedural matters and guidance.
City Centre
The highest order centre, often a regional or sub-regional retailing and service centre, serving a wide catchment.
City Region
The concept of the city-region can be understood as a functionally inter-related geographical area comprising a central, or Core City, as part of a network of urban centres and rural hinterlands. A little bit like the hub (city) and the spokes (surrounding urban/rural areas) on a bi-cycle wheel.
Civic Amenity Site
A facility provided by the Waste Disposal Authority that is available to the public to deposit waste which cannot be collected by the normal household waste collection round.
Claw-back (a retailing term)
The ability of a new retail store to retain trade or customers that may otherwise travel further afield.
Climate Change
Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, wind and all other aspects of the Earth's climate. Often regarded as a result of human activity and fossil fuel consumption.
Clusters (a term used in economic regeneration)
A group of businesses or organisations who, owing to the goods they produce and/or services they provided have common customers, technology or use similar specialist skills. They group together in order to enhance their overall competitive advantage of individual companies
Coalescence
The merging or coming together of separate towns or villages to form a single entity.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
The combined production of heat, usually in the form of steam, and power, usually in the form of electricity.
Commercial Waste
Controlled waste arising from trade premises.
Commitments (or committed development)
All land with current planning permission or allocated in adopted development plans for development (particularly residential development).
Committee
At a planning authority, an appointed body of locally elected councillors that makes decisions on planning matters.
Community Forest
A large area of land transformed into a wooded landscape by a partnership of local authorities, national agencies and private, voluntary and community organisations to support employment, recreation, education and wildlife.
Community Strategy
A strategy prepared by a local authority to improve local quality of life and aspirations, under the Local Government Act 2000.
Comparison Shopping
Retail items not bought on a frequent basis, for example televisions and white goods (fridges, dishwashers etc).
Composting
The process that converts biodegradable material such as garden or kitchen waste, in the presence of oxygen (aerobic) into a stable material that can be used as a soil improver. Composting can be done at different scales, from home composting to a large centralised facility.
Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)
An order issued by the government or a local authority to acquire land or buildings for public interest purposes. For example, for the construction of a major road or the redevelopment of certain brownfield sites.
Conditions (or 'planning condition')
Requirements attached to a planning permission to limit, control or direct the manner in which a development is carried out.
Conservation Area
Areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.
Conservation Area Character Appraisal
A published documeet defining the special architectural or historic interest that warranted the area being designated.
Conservation Area Consent
Consent required for the demolition of an unlisted building within a conservation area.
Construction and Demolition Waste
Controlled waste arising from the construction, repair, maintenance and demolition of buildings and structures.
Contaminated Land
Land that has been polluted or harmed in some way making it unfit for safe development and usage unless cleaned.
Controlled waste
Waste that requires a licence for its treatment or disposal.
Conurbation
A large densely populated urban sprawl formed by the growth and coalescence of individual towns or cities.
Convenience Goods
Everyday essential items, such as food.
Convenience Shopping
The provision of everyday essential items, such as food.
Conversions
Generally means the physical work necessary to change of use of a building from a particular use, classified in the use classes order, to another use. Can also mean the sub-division of residential properties into self-contained flats or maisonettes.
Core and Feeder Public Transport Network
A network of bus routes serving major destinations/corridors often having standards for frequencies, times of operation, vehicle quality, levels of bus priority and passenger information. Feeder networks link into the core networks.
Core strategy
A Development Plan Document setting out the spatial vision and strategic objectives of the planning framework for an area, having regard to the Community Strategy (see also DPDs).
Cost-Benefit Analysis
An assessment method that is sometimes used to compare the benefits and costs of a development proposal, such as a major infrastructure project.
Countryside Agency
The organisation responsible for advising government and taking action on issues affecting the social, economic and environmental well being of the English countryside.
Countryside Character Areas
Areas of distinctive landscape, wildlife and natural features as defined by the Countryside Agency.
County Archaeologist
An officer within a County Council responsible for maintaining and compiling Sites and Ancient Monuments Records on behalf of English Heritage, and advising on development affecting archaeological remains.
County Council
The local authority that is responsible for waste and minerals planning functions in non-unitary, and non-national park, local authority areas. A county council may provide advice and proposals on strategic planning issues to the Regional Planning Body.
Crushed Rock
Hard types of rock, which have been quarried, fragmented and graded for use as aggregate.
Cultural Strategy
A Cultural Strategy aims to "promote the cultural well-being" of the area it covers.
Culture
Culture includes arts, media, sports, libraries, museums, parks, and the countryside, built heritage, tourism, and the creative industries.
Cumulative Impact
A number of developments in a locality or a continuous activity over time that together may have an increased impact on the environment, local community or economy.
Curtilage
The area normally within the boundaries of a property surrounding the main building and used in connection with it.
Cycle Network
An integrated network of both on- and off-road routes to facilitate an easier and safer journey for cyclists.
Delegated Powers
A power conferred to designated planning officers by locally elected councillors so that the officers may take decisions on specified planning matters behalf of the council.
Demand Responsive Transport
A local transport service tailored to passenger needs, operating not unlike a taxi service. Usually provided where there are infrequent bus services, such as rural areas.
Density
In the case of residential development, a measurement of either the number of habitable rooms per hectare or the number of dwellings per hectare.
Departure
A proposed development that is not in accordance with the adopted development plan, but for which the local planning authority proposes to grant planning permission (subject to no intervention from the government).
Deposit
A term describing the statutory consultation period for plans being progressed under transitional arrangements.
Design Commission for Wales
The Design Commission for Wales is a national organisation established and core funded by the National Assembly for Wales. DCFW's mission is to champion high standards of architecture, landscape and urban design in Wales and promote a wider understanding of the importance of good quality in the built environment.
Design guide
A document providing guidance on how development can be carried out in accordance with good design practice often produced by a local authority with a view to retaining local distinctiveness.
Design statement
A design statement can be made at a pre-planning application stage by a developer, indicating the design principles upon which a proposal is to be based. It may also be submitted in support of a planning application.
Detailed Application / Full application
A planning application seeking full permission for a development proposal, with no matters reserved for later planning approval.
Determination
The process by which a local planning authority reaches a decision on whether a proposed development requires planning permission.
Development
Development is defined under the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act as "the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operation in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any building or other land." Most forms of development require planning permission (see also "permitted development").
Development Control & Development Management
The process whereby a local planning authority receives and considers the merits of a planning application and whether it should be given permission having regard to the development plan and all other material considerations.
Development Limits & Development Boundaries
Development limits identify the area within which development proposals would be acceptable, subject to complying with other policies contained in the Development Plan. They seek to prevent development from gradually extending into the surrounding countryside.
Development Plan
A document setting out the local planning authority's policies and proposals for the development and use of land and buildings in the authority's area. It includes Unitary, Structure, and Local Plans prepared under transitional arrangements.
It also includes the new-look Regional Spatial Strategies and Development Plan Documents prepared under the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act of 2004.
Development Plan Documents (DPDs)
Development Plan Documents are prepared by local planning authorities and outline the key development goals of the local development framework.
Development Plan Documents include the core strategy, site-specific allocations of land and, where needed, area action plans. There will also be an adopted proposals map which illustrates the spatial extent of policies that must be prepared and maintained to accompany all DPDs.
All DPDs must be subject to rigorous procedures of community involvement, consultation and independent examination, and adopted after receipt of the inspector's binding report. Once adopted, development control decisions must be made in accordance with them unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
DPDs form an essential part of the Local Development Framework.
Disabled Access
The means by which disabled people (as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) can conveniently go where they want.
Distributor road
Roads that distribute traffic and bus services within the main residential, commercial and industrial built-up areas.
District Centres
A group of shops and some service outlets serving part of an urban area and providing a geographic focus for it, separate from the town centre, but with more variety than local centres.
Dormant Site
A site with planning permission on which mineral operations has now ceased.
Dwelling & Dwelling house
A self-contained building or part of a building used as a residential accommodation, and usually housing a single household. A dwelling may be a house, bungalow, flat, maisonette or converted farm building.
Ecclesiastical Exemption
Ecclesiastical buildings (for example some churches) that are being used for ecclesiastical purposes are exempt from listed building and conservation area controls.
Edge-of-Centre
A location that is within easy walking distance (often considered 200-300 metres) of the primary shopping area.
E-government / E-planning
Government initiatives helping local authorities provide planning services online and accessible via the internet and email, for example, the Planning Portal website.
Elevation
The actual facade (or face) of a building, or a plan showing the drawing of a facade.
Employment Land Availability (ELA)
The total amount of land reserved for industrial and business use awaiting development.
Energy Crops
A 'carbon neutral' energy source contributing to renewable energy. For example, short rotation coppice or willow plantation uses carbon dioxide to grow plants. Crops may then be burned to create energy - hence carbon neutral.
Energy from Waste
The conversion of waste into a useable form of energy, often heat or electricity.
Enforcement Action
Procedures by a local planning authority to ensure that the terms and conditions of a planning decision are carried out, or that development carried out without planning permission is brought under control.
Enforcement Notice
A notice served by a local planning authority setting out the remedial action necessary to put right work or correct an activity that appears to have been undertaken without planning permission.
English Heritage
Government advisors with responsibility for all aspects of protecting and promoting the historic environment. English Heritage is responsible for advising the government on the listing of historic buildings.
English Nature
Government advisors on nature conservation in England.
Enterprise Area
Enterprise areas are a policy toolkit designed to focus and co-ordinate measures targeted on or likely to help businesses in deprived areas. Businesses in an enterprise area may benefit from one of several new or existing forms of government assistance, including stamp duty exemptions, help from a Community Development Finance Institution, and neighbourhood renewal projects.
Enterprise Zone
An area where central government aided by local government wishes to stimulate development to generate inward investment. It grants automatic planning permission for such development or class of development subject to conditions, limitations, as may be specified in a scheme.
Environment Agency
A government body that aims to prevent or minimise the effects of pollution on the environment and issues permits to monitor and control activities that handle or produce waste. It also provides up-to-date information on waste management matters and deals with other matters such as water issues including flood protection advice.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Environmental Statement (EA)
Applicants for certain types of development, usually more significant schemes, are required to submit an "environmental statement" accompanying a planning application. This evaluates the likely environmental impacts of the development, together with an assessment of how the severity of the impacts could be reduced.
Established Need
A need for a mineral when assessed against existing permitted reserves of suitable material, taking into account any apportionment and other appropriate policy guidance.
EU Structural Funds
The European Union provides structural funds for supporting social and economic restructuring across the Union. They account for over a third of the European Union budget. The UK's allocation for the period 2000-2006 is over GBP10bn.
Structural funds are delivered through agreed operational spending programmes and strategies. These comprise the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund (EAGGF).
European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP)
Policy document based on the EU aim of achieving balanced and sustainable development, in particular by strengthening economic and social cohesion. It is legally non-binding and has a policy framework aimed at better co-operation between community sectoral policies with significant impacts, and between member states, their regions and cities. National spatial development policies of the member states and sectoral policies of the EU require clear spatial development guidelines that transcend national boundaries. They are provided by the ESDP.
Evidence Base
The information and data gathered by local authorities to justify the "soundness" of the policy approach set out in Local Development Documents, including physical, economic, and social characteristics of an area.
Examination in Public (EIP)
A term given to the examination of Structure Plans under transitional arrangements.
Factory Outlet Centre
Groups of shops often specialising in selling seconds and end-of-line goods at discounted prices.
Fascia
Part of the face or elevation of a building, where the shop or occupier's name is usually displayed.
First Secretary Of State
The lead Minister for all policies relating to Town & Country Planning, having powers of intervention on Development Plans and Planning Casework under certain circumstances.
Flight path
The route taken by aircraft between destinations.
Flood plain
Generally low-lying areas adjacent to a watercourse, tidal lengths of a river or the sea, where water flows in times of flood or would flow but for the presence of flood defences.
Flood Risk Assessment
An assessment of the likelihood of flooding in a particular area so that development needs and mitigation measures can be carefully considered.
Fly tipping
The illegal disposal of waste on land.
Footfall / Pedestrian Flow
The numbers and movements of people to provide an indicator of the commercial health of a shopping centre, whilst also informing potential businesses of the likely level of passing trade.
Fossil Fuels (a non-renewable fuel)
Carbon-rich fuel (coal, oil and natural gas) formed from the remains of ancient animals and plants. Their combustion is considered to contribute to the 'greenhouse effect'.
Front-loading
Community involvement in the production of Local Development Documents to gain public input and seek consensus from the earliest opportunity.
Full Application
See 'Detailed application'.
Gasification and Pyrolysis (Advanced Thermal Treatment)
A means of recovering energy from waste, known as advanced thermal treatment. Waste is heated at high temperatures and a useable gas is produced.
General Conformity
A Local Development Document must be in "general" conformity with the strategy and proposals set out in the Regional Spatial Strategy as assessed by the Regional Planning Body (GLA in London).
Normally, it would only be where an inconsistency or omission of a policy causes significant harm to the implementation of the RSS (SDS in London) that it would be considered not to be in general conformity.
General Permitted Development Order (GPDO)
A set of regulations made by the government which grants planning permission for specified limited or minor forms of development.
Geographic Information System (GIS)
A computer-based system whereby mapping and information are linked for a variety of uses, such as capturing data justifying Local Development Documents.
Geothermal Technology
Technology related to the transfer of energy from heat inside the Earth, usually carried to the surface by superheated water and steam.
Government Offices for the Regions (GOs)
Regional Offices of the government. Find more information on Government Offices for the Regions here.
Green Belt (not to be confused with the term 'greenfield')
A designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped. The purposes of the green belt is to:
- check the unrestricted sprawl of large built up areas
- prevent neighbouring towns from merging
- safeguard the countryside from encroachment
- preserve the setting and special character of historic towns
assist urban regeneraeion by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land
Green belts are defined in a local planning authority's development plan.
Green corridor / wildlife corridor
Green corridors can link housing areas to the national cycle network, town and city centres, places of employment and community facilities. They help to promote environmentally sustainable forms of transport such as walking and cycling within urban areas and can also act as vital linkages for wildlife dispersal between wetlands and the countryside.
Green Wedges
Green wedges comprise the open areas around and between parts of settlements, which maintain the distinction between the countryside and built up areas, prevent the coalescence (merging) of adjacent places and can also provide recreational opportunities.
Greenfield Land or Site
Land (or a defined site) usually farmland, that has not previously been developed.
Greenhouse Effect / Global Warming
The gradual heating of the Earth due to greenhouse gases, leading to climate change and rising sea levels. Renewable energy, energy efficient buildings and sustainable travel are examples of ways to help avert the greenhouse effect.
Greenhouse Gases
Naturally occurring examples include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. Some human activities increase these gases, including fossil fuel combustion within motor vehicles and some power stations.
Groundwater
An important part of the natural water cycle present underground, within strata known as aquifers.
Guided Buses / segregated bus route
Buses for which travel direction is controlled automatically by electronic or kerb guidance along a defined route.
Habitable rooms
Any room used or intended to be used for sleeping, cooking, living or eating purposes. Enclosed spaces such as bath or toilet facilities, service rooms, corridors, laundries, hallways, utility rooms or similar spaces are excluded from this definition.
Habitat
An area of nature conservation interest.
Hard Rock
Consolidated rock such as limestone and granite.
Hazardous Waste
Wastes that have the potential to cause harm to human health or the environment.
Health Check (in terms of shopping areas)
A survey, using a variety of indicators, to show the 'health' of a town centre or other shopping area. For example, the quality of the environment, footfall, retail sales, commercial yield or amount of customers.
Heavy Rail
The traditional railway network, using standard rolling stock.
Heritage Coast
An area, naturally designated, of largely undeveleped, unspoilt coast, when attention is focused on managing the sometimes competing needs of conservation, recreation, tourism and commercial activity such as shipping and fishing in a co-ordinated way.
High Court Challenge
The process by which an applicant may challenge a planning decision or a notice of intention to adopt a development plan in the High Court on a point of law. However, other appeal procedures may apply first and prior legal advice is advisable.
High demand housing areas
Locations with a high demand for housing resulting in expensive pricing and rents making it difficult to enter the housing market. For example, some rural locations, commuter areas, and many locations in southern England.
High Hedges High Hedges are dealt with under Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.
From 1 June 2005, provided they have tried and exhausted all other avenues for resolving their hedge dispute, people will be able to take their complaint about a neighbour's evergreen hedge to their local authority - your district or borough Council.
The role of the local authority is not to mediate or negotiate between the complainant and the hedge owner but to adjudicate on whether - in the words of the Act - the hedge is adversely affecting the complainant's reasonable enjoyment of their property. In doing so, the authority must take account of all relevant factors and must strike a balance between the competing interests of the complainant and hedge owner, as well as the interests of the wider community.
If they consider the circumstances justify it, the local authority will issue a formal notice to the hedge owner which will set out what they must do to the hedge to remedy the problem, and when by. Failure to carry out the works required by the authority is an offence which, on prosecution, could lead to a fine of up to GBP1,000.
View further information and guidance on High Hedges on the ODPM website.
Highway
A publicly maintained road, together with footways and verges.
Highways Agency
An executive agency of the Department of Transport. The Highways Agency is responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network of England.
Historic Battlefield
Areas of historic interest where important battles are sufficiently documented to be located on the ground. Designated by English Heritage.
Historic Parks and Gardens
A park or garden of special historic interest. Graded I (highest quality), II* or II. Designated by English Heritage.
Household Waste
Refuse from household collection rounds, waste from street sweepings, public litter bins, bulky items collected from households and wastes which householders themselves take to household waste recovery centres and "bring sites".
Household Waste Recovery Centres / Civic Amenity Sites
A facility provided by the Waste Disposal Authority that is available to the public to deposit waste which cannot be collected by the normal household waste collection round.
Housing Land Availability (HLA)
The total amount of land reserved for residential use awaiting development.
Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders
Nine sub-regional projects to tackle low demand and abaedonment, administered by a group of local authorities working in partnership and in receipt of funding from the Housing Market Renewal Fund.
Housing Market Restructuring / Renewal (HMR)
Process of arranging public sector intervention (in partnership with others) to sustain areas in which housing market failure (or low-demand housing) is evident.
Human Rights Act
The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporated provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into UK law.
The general purpose of the ECHR is to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to maintain and promote the ideals and values of a democratic society. It sets out the basic rights of every person together with the limitations placed on these rights in order to protect the rights of others and of the wider community.
The specific Articles of the ECHR relevant to planning include Article 6 (Right to a fair and public hearing), Article 8 (Right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence), Article 14 (Prohibition of discrimination) and Article 1 of Protocol 1 (Right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions and protection of property).
Incineration
The controlled burning of waste. Energy may also be recovered in the form of heat (see Energy from Waste).
Independent Examination
The process by which a planning inspector may publicly examine a Development Plan Document (DPD) or a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), in respect, before issuing a binding report. The findings set out in the report of binding upon the local authority that produced the DPD or SCI.
Independent Retailer
A non-multiple retailer operating separately and outside of a larger company chain.
Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)
A ward-level index made up from six indicators (income; employment; health deprivation and disability; education; skills and training; housing; and geographical access to services). IMD can help to identify areas for regeneration.
Industrial Waste
Waste from a factory or industrial process.
Inert waste
Waste not undergoing significant physical, chemical or biological changes following disposal, as it does not adversely affect other matter that it may come into contact with, and does not endanger surface or groundwater.
Infill development
The development of a relatively small gap between existing buildings.
Informal Hearing
A planning appeal hearing undertaken in a structured way, but without the full formality of a local inquiry.
Information Technology (IT)
The technology required for information processing. In particular, the use of computers and computer software to convert, store, process, transmit and retrieve information.
Infrastructure
Basic services necessary for development to take place, for example, roads, electricity, sewerage, water, education and health facilities.
Inquiry (sometimes known as a Public Local Inquiry)
A hearing by an planning inspector into a planning matter such as a local plan or appeal.
Inset map
A development plan map showing a particular area of interest on the wider proposals map at a larger, more readable scale.
Inset village / Village envelope
A village that is 'inset' from the green belt or other countryside protection policies on the proposals map, sometimes allowing appropriate development.
Inspector's Report
A report issued by an planning inspector regarding the planning issues debated at the independent examination of a development plan or a planning inquiry. Reports into Development Plan Documents (DPDs) will be binding upon local authorities.
Interchange (Transport Interchange)
To transfer between different transport modes to complete a single journey. Transport interchanges are places where the change between modes of travel is easy, for example a bus/rail station or an airport with rail access.
Inward Investment
New business investment or expansion of an existing investment into an area from outside.
Issues, Options and Preferred Options
The "pre-submission" consultation stages on Development Plan Documents with the objective of gaining public consensus over proposals ahead of submission to government for independent examination.
Judicial Review
A procedure by which the High Court may review the reasonableness of decisions made by local authorities, the first Secretary of State or lower courts, for example a planning decision.
Kerbside Collection
The collection by local authorities of recyclable goods directly from households, or occasionally industrial and commercial premises.
Key Diagram
The diagrammatic interpretation of the spatial strategy as set out in a local authority's Core Strategy. (As distinct from a Structure Plan Key Diagram prepared to explain its policy content).
In a Regional Spatial Strategy, the key diagram illustrates the spatial strategy and may show links and relationships with other strategies and neighbouring regions.
Knowledge-based Industry
High technology industries (such as compueers and office equipment, and pharmaceuticals) and knowledge-based services (for example, telecommunications, information technology, finance, insurance and business services), which are important to economic development.
Land Compensation
Provisions for the compensation of land compulsorily acquired in the public interest. (See also CPOs)
Landbank
The stock land with planning permissions but where development has yet to take place. The landbank can be of land for minerals, housing or any other use.
Landfill (including land raising)
The permanent disposal of waste into the ground, by the filling of man-made voids or similar features, or the construction of landforms above ground level (land-raising).
Landfill Directive
European Union requirements on landfill to ensure high standards for disposal and to stimulate waste minimisation.
Landfill Gas
The gas generated in any landfill site accepting biodegradable material. It consists of a mixture of gases, mainly methane and carbon dioxide.
Landscape Appraisal
A method of assessing appearance and essential characteristics of a landscape.
Landscaper Character
The distinct and recognisable pattern of elements that occur consistently in a particular type of landscape. It reflects particular combinations of geology, landform, soils, vegetation, land use and human settlement.
Lawful Development Certificate
A certificate issued by a local planning authority, on application, stating that an existing (LDC 191) or proposed use (LDC 192), or other forms of development, can be considered as lawful for planning purposes.
Layout
The way buildings, routes and open spaces are placed or laid out on the ground in relation to each other.
Leachate (usually associated with landfill)
Water coming into contact with decomposing waste materials and which has drawn pollutants out of those materials into solution thereby contaminating the water.
Legibility (in terms of settlement patterns)
A legible area is one with a strong sense of local identity. Locations, streets, open spaces and places that have a clear image and are easy to understand. For example, a location that is easy to find your way around.
Life Cycle Analysis
A technique intended to quantify the total impact of a product during its production, distribution, use and recycling, treatment or disposal. Can be applied to sustainable waste management.
Light Rail
A local railway or tram system, sometimes capable of sharing roads with traffic and heavy railways.
Limits of Development
Limits of development identify the area within which development propoeals would be acceptable, subject to complying with other policies contained in the Development Plan. They seek to prevent development from gradually extending into the surrounding countryside.
Listed Building
A building of special architectural or historic interest. Listed buildings are graded I, II* or II with grade I being the highest. Listing includes the interior as well as the exterior of the building, and any buildings or permanent structures (e.g. wells within its curtilage).
English Heritage is responsible for designating buildings for listing in England.
Listed Building Consent
Consent required for the demolition, in whole or in part of a listed building, or for any works of alteration or extension that would affect the character of the building.
Listed Building Enforcement Notice
A notice issued by a local planning authority if work is carried out on a Listed Building without consent, and requiring that the building be brought back to its former state or other remedial works.
Listed Building Purchase Notice
A notice served on a Local Authority where Listed Building consent is refused or is granted subject to onerous conditions, and where the owner can demonstrate that land is incapable of reasonably beneficial use.
Local Agenda 21
A comprehensive action strategy prepared by local authorities to help achieve sustainable development.
Local Centre
A small group of shops and perhaps limited service outlets of a local nature (for example, a suburban housing estate) serving a small catchment. Sometimes also referred to as a local neighbourhood centre.
Local Development Documents (LDDs)
These include Development Plan Documents (which form part of the statutory development plan) and Supplementary Planning Documents (which do not form part of the statutory development plan). LDDs collectively deliver the spatial planning strategy for the local planning authority's area.
Local Development Framework (LDF)
The Local Development Framework (LDF) is a non-statutory term used to describe a folder of documents, which includes all the local planning authority's local development documents. An LDF is comprised of:
- Development Plan Documents (which form part of the statutory development plan)
- Supplementary Planning Documents
The local development framework will also comprise of:
- the Statement of Community Involvement
- the Local Development Scheme
- the Annual Monitoring Report
- any Local Development Orders or Simplified Planning Zones that may have been added
Local Development Order (LDO)
An order made by a local planning authority extending permitted development rights for certain forms of development, with regard to a relevant Local Development Document.
Local Development Scheme (LDS)
The local planning authority's time-scaled programme for the preparation of Local Development Documents that must be agreed with government and reviewed every year.
Local Landscape Designation (for example, 'Area of High Landscape value')
Non-statutory and locally designated areas outside the national landscape designations, which are considered by the local planning authority to be of particulae landscape value to the local area.
Local Listing (or Building of Local Importance).
Locally important building valued for contribution to local scene or for local historical situations but not meriting listed building status.
Local Nature Reserve.
Non-statutory habitats of local significance designated by local authorities where protection and public understanding of nature conservation is encouraged. (See also Site of Nature Conservation Importance or Site of Biological Interest).
Local Need Housing
Housing requirements generated by the indigenous population rather than by in-migration.
Local Plan
An old-style development plan prepared by district and other local planning authorities. These plans will continue to operate for a time after the commencement of the new development plan system, by virtue of specific transitional provisions.
Local Planning Authority
The local authority or council that is empowered by law to exercise planning functions. Often the local borough or district council. National parks and the Broads authority are also considered to be local planning authorities. County councils are the authority for waste and minerals matters.
Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)
An overall partnership of people that brings together organisations from the public, private, community and voluntary sector within a local authority area, with the objective of improving people's quality of life.
Local Transport Plan
A five-year integrated transport strategy, prepared by local authorities in partnership with the community, seeking funding to help provide local transport projects. The plan sets out the resources predicted for delivery of the targets identified in the strategy. Local transport plans should be consistent with the policies and priorities set out in the Regional Transport Strategy as an integral part of the Regional Spatial Strategy.
London Plan
The Mayor of London is responsible for producing a new planning strategy for the capital. This replaces the previous strategic planning guidance for London (known as RPG3), issued by the Secretary of State. The London Plan is the name given to the Mayor's spatial development strategy. Regional Spatial Strategies are made outside of London.
Low Demand Housing (or areas of housing abandonment)
A location where the housing market has collapsed or is close to doing so resulting in a low demand for housing or actual abandonment. See also Housing Market Renewal.
Low level restoration
The re-establishment of land following mineral extraction, without infilling (filling the hole created by extraction).
Maisonette
A flat with more than one level.
Management Plan
A plan for the detailed, sometimes day-to-day management or conservation ef important areas, including nature conservation, archaeology, or historic sites, in order to maintain and enhance those special features or qualities.
Marine Dredged Aggregate
Sand and gravel dredged from deposits on the seabed and landed at shipping wharves for use as aggregate.
Marine Nature Reserves
Sites designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to conserve marine flora and fauna or geological or physiographical features.
Market Towns
Small to medium-sized country towns that are rural service, social and economic centres. Most also hold or used to hold a regular market.
Master Plan
A type of planning brief outlining the preferred usage of land and the overall approach to the layout of a developer. To provide detailed guidance for subsequent planning applications.
Mast-sharing (including mobile phone masts)
More than one antenna sharing a mast or a site, perhaps helping to reduce visual impact.
Material Consideration
A matter that should be taken into account in deciding a planning application or on an appeal against a planning decision.
Materials Recycling Facility (MRF)
A facility for sorting and packing recyclable waste.
Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT)
The treatment of residual waste using a combination of mechanical separation and biological treatment.
Mineral
Rock or other material that has a commercial value when extracted.
Mineral Consultation Area
An area identified in order to ensure consultation between the relevant minerals planning authority, the minerals industry and others before certain non-mineral planning applications made within the area are determined.
Mineral Development
Any activity related to the exploration for or winning and working of minerals, including tipping of spoil and ancillary operations such as the use of processing plant.
Mineral Planning Authority (MPA)
The planning authority responsible for planning control of minerals development. County councils are normally responsible for mineral and matters for their area.
Minerals Local Plan
A statutory development plan prepared by a minerals planning authority under transitional arrangements, setting out policies for the control of development constituting of the winning and working of minerals or the deposit of mineral waste.
Minerals Planning Guidance Note (MPG)
Documents issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister setting out government policy and advice on minerals planning issues. (Currently being replaced by Minerals Planning Policy Statements).
Mineral Planning Statement (MPS)
Minerals Planning Statements are published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Minerals Planning Statements will eventually replace Minerals Planning Guidance Notes.
Mineral Resource
A potential mineral deposit where the quality and quantity of material present has not been tested.
Minerals Reserves
Mineral deposits which have been tested to establish the quality and quantity of material present and which could be economically and technically exploited.
Mixed use (or mixed use development)
Provision of a mix of complementary uses, such as residential, community and leisure uses, on a site or within a particular area.
Minerals Planning Guidance Note (MPG)
Documents issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister setting out government policy and advice on minerals planning issues. (Currently being replaced by Minerals Planning Policy Statements).
Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA)
An enclosed area, using a synthetic grass or hard surface for playing sports, for example five-a-side soccer or netball.
Multimodal Study
A detailed study that considers the problems and solutions affecting all forms of travel along a particular route. Multimodal studies assess against government objectives of accessibility, economy, environment, integration and safety.
Multiple Retailer
A company chain of stores.
Multiplier Effect
The extended impact of an economic action upon business activity and/or upon employment. For example, a new major business may place orders with a smaller one helping to create extra jobs.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
Household waste and any other waste collected by a waste collection authority such as municipal parks and gardens waste, beach cleansing waste and waste resulting from the clearance of fly-tipped materials.
National Land Use Database (NLUD)
Government initiative to provide information on the amount of previously developed land (and buildings) that may be available for development.
National Nature Reserves
Areas designated with the aim of securing protection and appropriate management of the most important areas of wildlife habitat, and to provide a resource for scientific research. All National Nature Reserves are Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
National Park
The statutory purposes of national parks are to conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage and to promote opportunities for public understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities. National parks are designated by the Countryside Agency, subject to confirmation by the Secretary of State under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.
Natural Surveillance (or Supervision)
The discouragement to wrongdoing by the presence of passers-by or the ability of people to be seen out of surrounding windows. Also known as passive surveillance (or supervision). See also Planning Out Crime.
Nature Conservation
The protection, management and promotion of wildlife habitat for the benefit of wild species, as well as the communities that use and enjoy them.
Need (in retail terms)
The balance of supply and demand between retailers and consumers. Often expressed as personal expenditure available to support additional shops to extensions to existing shops.
Neighbourhood Centre
A number of shops serving a local neighbourhood and separate from the district centre. Sometimes referred to as a Local Centre.
Neighbourhood Renewal
A national strategy setting out the government's vision for narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country so that within 10 to 20 years, no-one should be seriously disadvantaged by where they live.
Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF)
Funding scheme to enable England's 88 most deprived authorities, in collaboration with their Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), to improve services. This will narrow the gap between deprived areas and the rest of the country.
New Town
A newly planned settlement. The first new towns were planned urban communities under the 1946 New Towns Act. Their main purpose was to reduce congestion in major cities through the creation of attractive urban units that would provide local employment for their residents.
Noise exposure category (NEC)
In terms of planning guidance, when assessing a proposal for residential development near to a source of noise, planning authorities use noise exposure categories to help consider the effects.
Non-Fossil Fuels
Sources of energy not derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. Examples include renewable energy resources such as wind or hydroelectric (water) power.
Non-statutory nature reserve
Sites established and managed by a variety of public and private bodies e.g. Country Wildlife Trusts or the Royal Society Protection of Birds.
Objectives and Indicators
Objectives are what are trying to be achieved, and indicators are measures that show whether or not objectives are being achieved. They can be used to help show whether planning policy is effective, or be used in helping to conduct a Sustainability Appraisal.
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)
The aim of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is to create sustainable communities. It is responsible for housing, planning, regional and local government, regeneration, social exclusion, neighbourhood renewal and the fire and rescue service. It is also the lead sponsor department for the Government Offices for the Regions.
Offshore Renewable Energy Projects
Projects that involve electricity generation methods such as offshore wind or wave generators. Central government may deal with these rather than local planning authorities.
Open Space
All space of public value, including public landscaped areas, playing fields, parks and play areas, and also including not just land, bet also areas of water such as rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs, which can offer opportunities for sport and recreation or can also act as a visual amenity and a haven for wildlife.
Opencast Working
A form of surface mining to win minerals, where the overburden (see definition below) is literally 'cast' from the working face to the rear as the mineral is exposed.
Outline application
A general application for planning permission to establish that a development is acceptable in principle, subject to subsequent approval of detailed matters. Does not apply to changes of use.
Out-of-Centre
In retailing terms, a location that is clearly separate from the primary shopping area of a town centre but not necessarily outside the urban area.
Out-of-Town
In retailing terms, an out-of-centre location on land not clearly within the current urban boundary.
Outstanding Planning Permission
A current planning permission that has yet to be implemented.
Overbearing
A term used to describe the impact of a development or building on its surroundings, particularly a neighbouring property, in terms of its scale, massing and general dominating effect.
Overburden
Soil and other material that overlays a mineral deposit, and which has to be excavated and either tipped or stockpiled to gain access to the underlying mineral.
Over-development
An amount of development (for example, the quantity of buildings or intensity of use) that is excessive in terms of demands on infrastructure and services, or impact on local amenity and character.
Overlooking
A term used to describe the effect when a development or building affords an outlook over adjoining land or property, often causing loss of privacy.
Overshadowing
The effect of a development or building on the amount of natural light presently enjoyed by a neighbouring property, resulting in a shadow being cast over that neighbouring property.
Panel
This is a panel of persons appointed by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State to conduct the examination-in-public into a draft revision of a Regional Spatial Strategy.
Passenger Transport Authority
A statutory body (in some parts of the country), responsible for ensuring the area has an effective and integrated public transport system.
Passive Solar Heating
A solar heating system using a simple solar collector, building materials, or an architectural design to capture and store the sun's heat. Very simple examples include a garden greenhouse, or a south-facing window in a dwelling.
Permitted Development (or Permitted Development Rights)
Permisseon to carry out certain limited forms of development without the need to make an application to a local planning authority, as granted under the terms of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order.
Permitted Reserves
Mineral deposits with the benefit of planning permission for extraction.
Phasing or Phased Development
The phasing of development into manageable parts. For example, an annual rate of housing release for a large development that may need to be controlled so as to avoid destabilising housing markets and causing low demand.
Photovoltaics / photovoltaic cells.
Conversion of solar radiation (the sun's rays) to electricity by the effect of photons (tiny packets of light) on the electrons in a solar cell. For example, a solar-powered car or a calculator.
Plan, Monitor and Manage (PMM)
Approach to housing provision involving three elements:
- Planning for an overall annual rate and distribution of housing
- Monitoring provision against targets and indicators
- Managing the process
Plan-led system
The principle that the decisions upon planning applications should be made in accordance with the adopted development plan, unless there are other material considerations that may indicate otherwise.
Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
The Act updates elements of the 1990 Town & Country Planning Act. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduces:
- a statutory system for regional planning
- a new system for local planning
- reforms to the development control and compulsory purchase and compensation systems
- removal of crown immunity from planning controls.
Planning Advisory Service
A service set up by the government to help and advise local planning authorities struggling to meet best value performance targets for development control.
Planning Aid
Planning Aid provides free and independent advice and support to community groups and individuals unable to employ a planning consultant.
Planning Casework Service
An online service designed and managed by the Planning Inspectorate and accessed through the Planning Portal. The service lets users in England submit and track different kinds of appeals electronically and search and comment on appeals online. The service is not currently available in Wales.
Planning Condition
Condition attached to a planning permission.
Planning Delivery Grant
PDG is providing about GBP605m over six years (2003-2008), to resource and incentivise regional planning bodies and local authorities to improve the planning system and deliver sustainable communities. Allocations are based on assessment of performance across a range of planning functions.
Planning for Real
A consultation method involving creative exercise (for example, the use of maps and model buildings) designed to engage the public in plan making.
Planning Gain
The benefits or safeguards, often for community benefit, secured by way of a planning obligation as part of a planning approval and usually provided at the developer's expense. eor example, affordable housing, community facilities or mitigation measures.
Planning Inspectorate
The Planning Inspectorate is an executive agency of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. It is the government body responsible for:
- the processing of planning and enforcement appeals
- holding inquiries into local development plans
- listed building consent appeal
- advertisement appeals
- reporting on planning applications called in for decision by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister or in Wales with the National Assembly for Wales
- examinations of development plan documents and statements of community involvement
- various compulsory purchase orders, rights of way cases; and cases arising from the Environmental Protection and Water Acts and the Transport and Works Act and other highways legislation are also dealt with.
The work is set in agreement with Department for Transport, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the National Assembly for Wales.
Planning Obligations and Agreements
Legal agreements between a planning authority and a developer, or undertakings offered unilaterally by a developer, that ensure that certain extra works related to a development are undertaken. For example, the provision of highways. Sometimes called "Section 106" agreements.
Planning Out Crime
The planning and design of street layouts, open space, and buildings so as to reduce the actual likelihood or fear of crime, for example by creating natural surveillance.
Planning Permission
Formal approval sought from a council, often granted with conditions, allowing a proposed development to proceed. Permission may be sought in principle through outline planning applications, or be sought in detail through full planning applications.
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)
Issued by central government setting out its national land use policies for England on different areas of planning. These are gradually being replaced by Planning Policy Statements.
Planning Policy Statement (PPS)
Issued by central government to replace the existing Planning Policy Guidance notes in order to provide greater clarity and to remove from national policy advice on practical implementation, which is better expressed as guidance rather than policy.
Planning Portal
A national website provided by the government for members of the public, local planning authorities and planning consultants. The Planning Portal features a wide range of information and services on planning.
Playing Field
Land laid out with a pitch or pitches for games.
Pollution Prevention and Control / Integrated Pollution Control
A system of regulations and permit regime designed to prevent or reduce pollution.
Port
A harbour or sheltered piece of water into which boats can enter for repair, to trade or to allow passengers to board and depart.
Precautionary Principle
Taking action now to avoid possible environmental damage when the scientific evidence for acting is inconclusive but the potential damage could be great.
Preferred Areas
An area within a mineral consultation area containing mineral resources which can be identified with a high degree of provision and where there is a strong presumption in favour of extraction.
Previously Developed Land (PDL) or 'Brownfield' land
Previously developed land is that which is or was occupied by a permanent structure (excluding agricultural or forestry buildings), and associated fixed-surface infrastructure. The definition covers the curtilage of the development. Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 (Housing) has a detailed definition.
Primary Aggregates
Naturally occurring sand, gravel and crushed rock used for construction purposes.
Primary Shopping Area (or Primary Shopping Frontage)
An area where retailing and the number of shops in a town centre is most concentrated.
Prior Approval
A procedure where permission is deemed granted if the local planning authority does not respond to the developer's application within a certain time. Often relating to telecommunication or agricultural developments.
Private Open Space
Open space that is usually privately owned and is not usually accessible by members of the public.
Protected Species
Plants and animal species afforded protection under certain Acts and Regulations.
Proximity Principle
Requires that waste should be managed as near as possible to its place of production, reducing travel impacts.
Public Art
Permanent or temporary physical works of art visible to the general public, whether part of a building or free-standing. For example, sculpture, lighting effects, street furniture, paving, railings and signs.
Public Open Space
Urban space, designated by a council, where public access may or may not be formally established, but which fulfils or can fulfil a recreational or non-recreational role (for example, amenity, ecological, educational, social or cultural usages).
Public Realm
Those parts of a village, town or city (whether publicly or privately owned) available, for everyone to use. This includes streets, squares and parks.
Public Right of Way
A public right of way is a highway over which the public have a right of access along the route.
Quality Bus Route
High-quality, high-frequency bus route usually operated by low floor vehicles along routes often with a higher degree of bus priority measures installed to speed up journey times.
RDA Single-pot
A source of funding provided by Regional Development Agencies to support regeneration activities administered by groups such as local authorities.
Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
Legislation seeking to prevent discrimination directly or indirectly in any functions carried out by public authorities.
Ramsar Sites
Sites designated under the European Ramsar Convention to protect wetlands that are of international importance, particularly as waterfowl habitats.
Real Time Information (RTI)
Electronically displayed and up-to-the-minute bus or train arrival information at public transport stops.
Reasoned justification
The supporting text in a development plan or Local Development Document explaining and justifying the approach set out in the policies contained in the document.
Reclamation (in terms of mineral operations)
Operations designed to return an area to an acceptable environmental state, whether for the resumption of the former land use or for a new use. It includes restoration, aftercare, soil handling, filling and contouring operations.
Recovery
Value can be recovered from waste by recovering materials through recycling, composting or recovery of energy.
Recycled Aggregates
Aggregates produced from recycled construction waste such as crushed concrete and planings from tarmac roads.
Recycling
The reprocessing of waste either into the same product or a different one.
Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)
A fuel product produced from the combustible fraction of waste.
Regeneration
The economic, social and environmental renewal and improvement of rural and urban areas.
Regional / Local Gateways
Airports, main rail stations, ports, and motorways that form a traveller's first point of contact with the area.
Regional Aggregates Working Party
A working group consisting of local authority officers, representatives of the aggregates industry and central government established to consider the supply and demand for aggregate minerals.
Regional and Sub-Regional Shopping Centres
Out-of-town or out-of-centre shopping centres generally over 50,000 square metres net retail area, typically enclosing a wide range of comparison goods.
Regional Assembly / Regional Planning Body (RPB)
Each of the English regions outside of London has a regional chamber that the regions generally call Regional Assemblies (not to be confused with the term Elected Regional Assemblies). They are responsible for developing and co-ordinating a strategic vision for improving the quality of life in a region. The assembly is responsible for setting priorities and preparing certain regional strategies, including the Regional Spatial Strategy.
Regional Development Agency (RDA)
The nine Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) set up in the English regions are non-departmental public bodies. Their primary role is as a strategic driver of regional economic development ie their region. The RDAs aim is to:
- co-ordinate regional economic development and regeneration
- enable the regions to improve their relative competitivenes
- reduce the imbalances that exist within and between regions
Regional Economic Strategy
These statutory strategies take an integrated and sustainable approach to economic development and regeneration by tackling business competitiveness, productivity and the underlying problems of unemployment, skills shortages, social exclusion and physical decay. They provide:
- a regional framework for economic development, skills and regeneration to ensure better strategic focus for, and co-ordination of, activity in the region whether by the agency or by other regional, sub-regional or local organisations;
- a framework for the delivery of national and European programmes and influence the development of government policy; and
- the basis for the RDAs' detailed action plans.
Regional Housing Board
Regional housing boards are established in each region to strengthen the linkages between housing, the planning framework, and economic development. They also co-ordinate arrangements for determining regional priorities for housing investment.
Regional Housing Strategy (RHS)
The regional housing strategy prioritises the housing needs of the region (by locations and/or types of expenditure) to allow decisions to be taken on how housing resources should be allocated within the region. It takes an overall view on regional housing need, housing investment priorities and affordable housing targets. This provides a regional context for local authorities in drawing up their own housing investment strategies and to identify regional priorities for housing investment to be funded through registered social landlords.
Regionally Important Geological Site (RIG)
A non-statutory regionally important geological or geo-morphological site (basically relating to rocks, the Earth's structure and landform).
Regional Planning Body (RPB) / Regional Asssembly
Each of the English regions outside of London has a regional chamber that the regions generally call Regional Assemblies (not to be confused with the term Elected Regional Assemblies). They are responsible for developing and co-ordinating a strategic vision for improving the quality of life in a region. The Assembly is responsible for setting priorities and preparing certain regional strategies, including Regional Spatial Strategies.
Regional Planning Guidance (RPG)
Regional planning policy and guidance issued for each region in England by the Secretary of State. As part of the reform process the existing RPG becomes the spatial strategy for the region until revised by a replacement Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS).
Regional Self sufficiency
Requires that most waste should be managed within the region in which it is produced.
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)
A strategy for how a region should look in 15 to 20 years time and possibly longer. The Regional Spatial Strategy identifies the scale and distribution of new housing in the region, indicates areas for regeneration, expansion or sub-regional planning and specifies priorities for the environment, transport, infrastructure, economic development, agriculture, minerals and waste treatment and disposal. Most former Regional Planning Guidance is now considered RSS and forms part of the development plan. Regional Spatial Strategies areeprepared by Regional Planning Bodies.
Regional Sustainable Development Framework (RSDF)
High-level documents that set out a vision for sustainable development in each region, and the region's contribution to sustainable development at the national level. In doing so, frameworks take a wide overview of regional activity and the regional impact of government policy.
Regional Technical Advisory Body on Waste (RTAB)
Provides specialist advice on waste to the Regional Planning Body on options and strategies for dealing with the waste that needs to be managed within the region.
Regional Transport Strategy
A strategy produced by the Regional Planning Body, informing local transport plans, and providing a strategic overview of transport strategies and investment priorities.
Remedial work
The work needed to raise the quality of land to an acceptable level before it is used or developed. For example, contaminated land may need pollutants removing.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is energy flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment, for example from the wind, water flow, tides or the sun.
Residual Waste
Waste remaining after materials for re-use, recycling and composting have been removed.
Restoration (in terms of minerals operations)
Steps to return land to its original or former condition following mineral working by using subsoil, topsoil or soil-making material.
Retail Floorspace
Total floor area of the property that is associated with all retail uses. Usually measured in square metres. May be expressed as a net figure (the sales area) or in gross (including storage, preparation and staff areas).
Retail Impact
The potential effects of proposed retail development upon existing shops.
Retail Impact Assessment
An assessment undertaken for an application for retail use (normally on developments over 2,500 square metres gross floorspace, but they may occasionally be necessary for smaller developments, such as those likely to have a significant impact on smaller centres) on the impact of the proposal on the vitality and viability of existing centres within the catchment area of the proposed development. The assessment includes the likely cumulative effect of recent permissions, developments under construction and completed developments.
Retail Park
A grouping of retail warehouses.
Retail Warehouses
Large, usually out-of-town or out-of-centre units selling non-food items such as DIY, furniture, leisure and household goods.
Ribbon Development
Development, usually residential, extending along one or both sides of a road but not extended in depth.
Roundtable Discussions
A forum in which people making representations upon a Development Plan Document can express their views before a Government appointed Planning Inspector.
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
A professional body furthering the art of town and country planning. Members can be accredited the status of MRTPI.
Rural Development Area
A rural area suffering a concentration of economic and social needs where regeneration initiatives are focused.
Rural Diversification
The expansion, enlargement or variation of the range of products or fields of operation of a rural business (branching out from traditional farming activities, for example new income generating enterprise like renewable energy, tourism and food processing).
Rural Exceptions Policy / Site
A development plan or Development Plan Document may allocate small sites within rural areas solely for affordable housing, which would not otherwise be released for general market housing.
Saved Policies / Saved Plan
Policies within unitary development plans, local plans and structure plans that are saved for a time period during replacement production of Local Development Documents.
Scheduled Ancient Monument
Nationally important monuments usually archaeological remains, that enjoy greater protection against inappropriate development through the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
Secondary Aggregates
Includes by-product waste, synthetic materials and soft rock used with or without processing as a secondary aggregate.
Secondary Shopping Frontages
A retailing area, secondary to the primary shopping frontage, that provides greater opportunities for a diversity of uses.
Section 106 Agreement
A legal agreement under section 106 of the 1990 Town & Country Planning Act. Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between a planning authority and a developer, or undertakings offered unilaterally by a developer, that ensure that certain extra works related to a development are undertaken.
Sequential approach / sequential test
A planning principle that seeks to identify, allocate or develop certain types or locations of land before others. For example, brownfield housing sites before greenfield sites, or town centre retail sites before out-of-centre sites.
Setting
The place or way in which something is set, for example the position or surroundings of a listed building.
Settlement pattern
A settlement pattern describes the way in which hamlets, villages, towns and cities are distributed in space and the relationships between them.
Shadow Flicker
The on-and-off flickering effect of a shadow caused when the sun passes behind the rotor of a wind turbine.
Shopmobility
Enabling of independent access to retail facilities through the provision of wheelchairs, scooters and escorts for people with physical or visual impairments.
Shop Fascia
Part of the face or elevation of a shop, displaying the retailer's names.
Simplified Planning Zone
An area in which a local planning authority wishes to stimulate development and encourage investment. It operates by granting a specified planning permission in the zone without the need for an application for planning permission and the payment of planning fees.
Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) or Site of Biological Interest (SBI)
Locally important sites of nature conservation adopted by local authorities for planning purposes. (See also Local Nature Reserve).
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
A site identified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) as an area of special interest by reason of any of its flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features (basically, plants, animals, and natural features relating to the Earth's structure).
Site Visit
A visit to a proposed development site conducted by planning officers, councillors or inspectors to clarify the appearance of a site or visualise the effects of the proposal.
Sites and Monuments Record
List, description, and assessment of all known ancient monuments and sites of archaeological interest in an area including a map of each site.
SME (Small to Medium Enterprise)
An independent business managed by its owner or part owners and having a small market share either by number of employees or turnover.
Social Inclusion
Positive action taken to include all sectors of society in planning and other decision-making.
Soundness
A Development Plan Document is considered sound if it is based upon good evidence and has been prepared in accordance with all the necessary procedures including the measures set out in the authority's statement of Community Involvement.
Source Protection Zone
The Environment Agency identifies Source Protection Zones to protect groundwater (especially public water supply) from developments that may damage its quality.
Spatial Development
Changes in the distribution of activities in space and the linkages between them in terms of the use and development of land.
Spatial Planning
Spatial planning goes beyond traditional land use planning to bring together and integrate policies for the development and use of land with other policies and programmes which influence the nature of places and how they function.
This will include policies which can impact on land use by influencing the demands on, or needs for, development, but which are not capable of being delivered solely or mainly through the granting or refusal of planning permission and which may be implemented by other means.
Spatial Vision
A brief description of how the area will be changed at the end of a plan period.
Special Area Of Conservation (SAC)
A site designated under the European Community Habitats Directive, to protect internationally important natural habitats and species.
Special Needs Housing
Housing to meet the needs of groups of people who may be disadvantaged, such as the elderly, the disabled, students, young single people, rough sleepers, the homeless, those needing hostel accemmodation, key workers, travellers and occupiers of mobile homes and houseboats.
Special Protection Areas (SPA)
Sites classified under the European Community Directive on Wild Birds to protect internationally important bird species.
Spot-Listing
The process by which buildings are listed on an individual basis (often in response to a third-party request), rather than as part of a formal review of buildings in a particular area
Standards Authority
A local planning authority producing an improvement plan, having failed to meet one or more government Best Value performance target for development control, relating to efficient planning application processing.
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
The Statement of Community Involvement sets out the processes to be used by the local authority in involving the community in the preparation, alteration and continuing review of all local development documents and development control decisions. The Statement of Community Involvement is an essential part of the new-look Local Development Frameworks.
Statement of Consultation / Statement of Compliance
A report or statement issued by local planning authorities explaining how they have complied with their Statement of Community Involvement during consultation on Local Development Documents.
Statutory
Required by law (statute), usually through an Act of Parliament.
Statutory Body
A government-appointed body set up to give advice and be consulted for comment upon development plans and planning applications affecting matters of public interest. Examples of statutory bodies include: Countryside Agency, English Heritage, English Nature, Environment Agency, Health & Safety Executive, Regional Development Agency, and Sport England.
Statutory Undertakers / Statutory Utilities
Bodies carrying out functions of a public character under a statutory power. They may either be in public or private ownership such as Post Office, Civil Aviation Authority, the Environment Agency or any water undertaker, any public gas transporters, supply of electricity etc.
Sterilisation
When development or land use changes prevent possible mineral exploitation in the foreseeable future.
Strategic Development Control Policies
These policies are implemented directly through the grant and refusal of planning permission and are part of the Regional Spatial Strategy.
Strategic Employment Site
A key employment site in a strategic location capable of accommodating major investment, often of national or regional significance.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
An environmental assessment of certain plans and programmes, including those in the field of planning and land use, which complies with the EU Directive 2001/42/EC. The environmental assessment involves the:
- preparation of an environmental report
- carrying out of consultations
- taking into account of the environmental report and the results of the consultations in decision making
- provision of information when the plan or programme is adopted
- showing that the results of the environment assessment have been taken into account.
Structure Plan
An old-style development plan, which sets out strategic planning policies and forms the basis for detailed policies in local plans. These plans will continue to operate for a time after the commencement of the new development plan system, due to transitional provisions under planning reform.
Submission Document
A Development Plan Document submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination by a government-appointed planning inspector.
Sub-regional partnership
A sub-regional strategic body directing, influencing and co-ordinating a range of economic development and regeneration activities often made up of key private, public and other interests.
Sui-Generis
A term given to the uses of land or buildings, not falling into any of the use classes identified by the Use Classes Order, for example theatres, launderettes, car showrooms and filling stations.
Superstore
A self-service store selling mainly food, or food and non-food goods, usually of more than 2,500 square metres of trading floor space, with a large car park.
Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
A Supplementary Planning Document is a Local Development Document that may cover a range of issues, thematic or site specific, and provides further detail of policies and proposals in a 'parent' Development Plan Document.
Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG)
Supplementary Planning Guidance may cover a range of issues, both thematic and site specific and provide further detail of policies and proposals in a development plan.
Sustainability Appraisal (including Environmental Appraisal)
An appraisal of the economic, environmental and social effects of a plan from the outset of the preparation process to allow decisions to be made that accord with sustainable development.
Sustainable Communities
Places where people want to live and work, now and in the future.
Sustainable Communities Plan
A programme issued by the government to set the framework for delivering sustainable communities over the next 15-20 years. The main areas of focus are housing supply, new growth areas, decent homes and the countryside and local environment.
Sustainable Development
A widely used definition drawn up by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987: "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
The government has set out four aims for sustainable development in its strategy A Better Quality of Life, a Strategy for Sustainable Development in the UK.
The four aims, to be achieved simultaneously, are:
- social progress which recognises the needs of everyone
- effective protection of the environment
- prudent use of natural resources
- maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
Sustainable travel / sustainable transport
Often meaning walking, cycling and public use of transport (and in some circumstances "car sharing"), which is considered to be less damaging to the environment and which contributes less to traffic congestion than one-person car journeys.
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Terracing Effect
A term used to describe the closing of gaps between houses by extending the houses sideways, for example a double garage between semi-detached properties.
Topography
A description (or visual representation on a map) of the shape of the land, for example, contours or changes in the height of land above sea level.
Townscape / Cityscape
The general appearance of a built-up area, for example a street a town or city.
Town Centre Mall
A purpose-built shopping centres incorporating many individual shop units usually concentrating on comparison goods and sometimes leisure, residential and other uses.
Town Centre Management
A forum of traders, businesses and local authorities to agree and undertake co-ordinated management and care the retail area, promote trade and funding improvements.
Town Centre Strategy
Action plans to sustain and encourage the growth of services and amenities in a town centre through a partnership of the local authority and various organisations and people.
Town Centre Uses
A diverse range of town centre uses including, retail, social, leisure and cultural, housing, employment and other uses.
Town Centres
Includes a range of different-sized centres, including market and country towns, traditional suburban centres, and quite often, the principal centre(s) in a local authority's area.
Trade Parks
An out-of-centre mixed-use area of larger retail and light industrial units selling bulky goods.
Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA)
An assessment of the effects upon the surrounding area by traffic as a result of a development, such as increased traffic flows that may require highway improvements.
Tranquil Areas
Areas sufficiently remote from the visual or audible intrusion of development or traffic to be considered unspoilt by urban influences.
Transitional Arrangements
Generally used to describe arrangements that are put in place to manage the change from one system of regulations or procedures to another. More recently used to describe government regulations outlining the process of preparing development plans begun before, and to be completed after, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. It includes existing "saved" unitary, structure and local plans until new Local Development Documents are adopted.
Transport Assessment (TA)
An assessment of the availability of, and levels of access to, all forms of transportation.
Travel Demand Management
Planning the travel impacts of existing and new developments to minimise travel needs and provide travel choices for example by efficient car usage (including car sharieg), bicycles, and walking and public transport.
Travel Generators
Areas of land use (or developments) that generate travel demands including places of work, schools and colleges, shops and retail parks, hospitals and leisure facilities.
Travel Plan (sometimes called a 'green travel' or 'commuter' plan)
A travel plan aims to promote sustainable travel choices (for example, cycling) as an alternative to single occupancy car journeys that may impact negatively on the environment, congestion and road safety. Travel plans can be required when granting planning permission for new developments.
Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
A mechanism for securing the preservation of single or groups of trees of acknowledged amenity value. A tree subject to a tree preservation order may not normally be topped, lopped or felled without the consent of the local planning authority.
Turnover
Amount of sales per unit area of retail floorspace.
Unauthorised Development
Development that has or is taking place without the benefit of planning permission. It may then risk being the subject of enforcement action.
Unitary Development Plan
An old-style development plan prepared by a metropolitan district and some unitary local authorities, which contains policies equivalent to those in both a structure plan and local plan. These plans will continue to operate for a time after the commencement of the new development plan system, by virtue of specific transitional provisions.
Unstable Land
Land that may be unstable (due to a range of factors) for which planning proposals should give due consideration.
Urban Capacity Study
Studies undertaken to establish how much additional housing can be accommodated within urban areas.
Urban Design
The art of making places. It involves the design of buildings, groups of buildings, spaces and landscapes, in villages, towns and cities, to create successful development.
Urban Extension
Involves the planned expansion of a city or town and can contribute to creating more sustainable patterns of development when located in the right place, with well-planned infrastructure including access to a range of facilities, and when developed at appropriate densities.
Urban Fringe
The urban fringe is the transitional area between urban areas and the countryside. It can provide a valuable resource for the provision of sport and recreation, particularly in situations where there is an absence of land within urban areas to meet provision.
Urban Housing Capacity Study (UHCS)
A study produced for a local planning authority area examining the potential capacity of urban areas to accommodate extra housing on new or redeveloped sites at various densities, or by the conversion of existing buiedings.
Urban Regeneration
Making an urban area develop or grow strong again through means such as job creation and environmental renewal.
Urban Regeneration Company (URC)
A dedicated body through which different people combine to co-ordinate the delivery of urban regeneration projects such as major mixed-use developments.
Urban Sprawl
The uncontrolled or unplanned extension of urban areas into the countryside.
Use
The way in which land or buildings are used.
Use Classes Order
The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 puts uses of land and buildings into various categories. Planning permission is not needed for changes of use within the same use class.
Vernacular
The way in which ordinary buildings were built in a particular place, making use of local styles, techniques and materials.
Vernacular Building
A building built without being designed by an architect or engineer or someone with similar formal training, often based on traditional or regional forms.
Viability
In terms of retailing, a centre that is capable of commercial success.
Village Envelope
A boundary around a village, or part of a village, usually quite tightly drawn, within which development might be allowed in principle.
Void Space
The capacity within landfill sites for more waste allowing for final restoration and landscaping work.
Visibility Splay
Access around a road junction or access, which should be free from rival obstruction to evade motorists to see there traffic and pedestrians.
Vitality
In terms of retailing, the capacity of a centre to grow or develop its likeliness and level of activity.
Ward
A small sub-area of a local authority district.
Warehouse Clubs
Out-of-centre businesses specialising in volume sales of reduced priced goods often in large buildings with large car parks.
Wash-over village
Villages within a designated green belt which are not subject to specific proposals to extend the village boundary for development.
Waste
e Waste is any material or object that is no longer wanted and requires disposal. If a material or object is re-usable, it is still classed as waste if it has first been discarded.
Waste Collection Authority (WCA)
A local authority that has a duty to collect household waste. They also have a duty to collect commercial waste if requested to do so and may also collect industrial waste. (The waste collection authority may differ from the waste disposal authority).
Waste Disposal Authority (WDA)
A local authority responsible for managing the waste collected by the collection authorities and the provision of household waste recovery centres.
Waste Hierarchy
A framework for securing a sustainable approach to waste management. Waste should be minimised wherever possible. If waste cannot be avoided, then it should be re-used; after this value recovered by recycling or composting; or waste to energy; and finally landfill disposal.
Waste Local Plan
A statutory development plan prepared (or saved) by the waste planning authority under transitional arrangements, setting out polices in relation to waste management and related developments.
Waste Minimisation / Reduction
The most desirable way of managing waste, by avoiding the production of waste in the first place.
Waste Planning Authority (WPA)
The local authority responsible for waste development planning and control. They are unitary authorities, including National Park Authorities, and county councils in non-unitary areas.
Waste Regulation Authority
The Environment Agency has responsibility for authorising waste management licences for disposal facilities, and for monitoring sites.
Waste Transfer Station
A site to which waste is delivered for sorting or baling prior to transfer to another place for recycling, treatment or disposal.
White land
A general expression used to mean land (and buildings) without any specific proposal for allocation in a development plan, where it is intended that for the most part, existing uses shall remain undisturbed and unaltered.
Wildlife Corridor
Strips of land (for example, along a hedgerow) conserved and managed for wildlife, usually linking more extensive wildlife habitats.
Windfall Site
A site not specifically allocated for development in a development plan, but which unexpectedly becomes available for development during the lifetime of a plan. Most "windfalls" are referred to in a housing context. They tend to be very small sites for one or a small number of homes.
Wind farm
A group of wind turbines located in areas exposed to wind. A wind farm may vary in terms of the number and size of turbines.
Wind Resource Area
An area of search (or an area of least constraint) where wind turbines may be built subject to planning permission.
World Heritage Site
A cultural or natural site of outstanding universal value designated by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), for example Durham Cathedral and Stonehenge.
Written representations
A procedure by which representations on planning appealse development plans and Development Plan Documents can be dealt with without the need for a full public inquiry or informal hearing.
Written Statement
A documentary statement supplementing and explaining policy, forming part of a development plan.
Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI)
The visual 'line of sight' or catchment area having the potential to be visually affected by a particular site or structure, such as wind turbines.
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