Glossary

Aguidetocommonplanningtermsandacronyms

Introduction

Thisglossaryoffersaplainworddefinitionofsomeofthemostcommonlyusedtermsin
planning.Itsstatusispurelyasanintroductoryquickreferenceguideanditshouldnotbeused
asasourceforstatutorydefinitions.

Term
Description

Accessibility
Theabilityofpeopletomovearoundanarea
andreachplacesandfacilities,including
elderlyanddisabledpeople,thosewithyoung
childrenandthoseencumberedwithluggage
orshopping.
AdoptedProposalsMap
AcomponentofaLocalDevelopment

Frameworkandanimportantpartofthe
developmentplan,orDPDitself,showingthe
locationofproposalsinallcurrent
DevelopmentPlanDocuments,onan
OrdnanceSurveybasemap.
Adoption
Thefinalconfirmationofadevelopmentplan
orLocalDevelopmentDocumentstatusbya
localplanningauthority(LPA).
AffordableHousing(orsub
Housing,whetherforrent,sharedownership
markethousing)
oroutrightpurchase,providedatacost
consideredaffordableinrelationtoincomes
thatareaverageorbelowaverage,orin
relationtothepriceofgeneralmarket
housing.
AncillaryUse/Operations
Asubsidiaryorsecondaryuseoroperation

closelyassociatedwiththemainuseofa
buildingorpieceofland.
AnnualMonitoringReport
Areportsubmittedtothegovernmentby

(AMR)
localplanningauthoritiesorregionalplanning
bodiesassessingprogresswithandthe
effectivenessofaLocalDevelopment
Framework.
Appeal
Theprocesswherebyaplanningapplicantcan
challengeanadversedecision,includinga
refusalofpermission.Appealscanalsobe
madeagainstthefailureoftheplanning
authoritytoissueadecisionwithinagiven
time,againstconditionsattachedto
permission,againsttheissueofan
enforcementnoticeandagainstrefusalsof
listedbuildingandconservationarea

AreaActionPlan

AreaofOutstandingNatural
Beauty(AONB)

Article4Direction

Backlanddevelopment

Biodiversity

Biomass

BreachofConditionNotice

BrownfieldLandandSites

ChangeofUse

Circular
CommunityStrategy

consent.InEnglandandWales,appealsare
processedbythePlanningInspectorate.
AtypeofDevelopmentPlanDocument
focuseduponaspecificlocationoranarea
subjecttoconservationorsignificantchange
(forexamplemajorregeneration).
Anareawithastatutorynationallandscape
designation,primarypurposeofwhichisto
conserveandenhancenaturalbeauty.
TogetherwithNationalParks,AONB,
representthenation'sfinestlandscapes.
AONBsaredesignatedbytheCountryside
Agency.
Directionremovingsomeorallpermitted
developmentrights,forexamplewithina
conservationareaorcurtilageofalisted
building.Article4directionsareissuedby
localplanningauthorities.
Developmentof'landlocked'sitesbehind
existingbuildings,suchasreargardensand
privateopenspace,usuallywithin
predominantlyresidentialareas.Suchsites
oftenhavenostreetfrontages.
Thewholevarietyoflifeencompassingall
genetics,speciesandecosystemvariations,
includingplansandanimals.
Livingmatterwithinanenvironmentalarea,
forexampleplantmaterial,vegetation,or
agriculturalwasteusedasafuelorenergy
source.
Anoticeservedbyalocalplanningauthority
wheretheysuspectthataplanningcondition
linkedtoaplanningpermissionhasbeen
breached.
Previouslydevelopedlandwhichisorwas
occupiedbyapermanentstructure,including
thecurtilageofthedevelopedlandandany
associatedfixedsurfaceinfrastructure.Also
see'PreviouslyDevelopedLand'.
Achangeinthewaythatlandorbuildingsare
used(seeUseClassesOrder).Planning
permissionisusuallynecessaryinorderto
changefromone'useclass'toanother.
Agovernmentpublicationsettingout
proceduralmattersandguidance.
Astrategypreparedbyalocalauthorityto
improvelocalqualityoflifeandaspirations,

CompulsoryPurchaseOrder
(CPO)

Conditions(or'planning
condition')

ConservationArea

ConservationAreaCharacter
Appraisal
ConservationAreaConsent
ContaminatedLand

Conversions

Corestrategy

Curtilage

Density

DesignStatement

DetailedApplication/Full
application

undertheLocalGovernmentAct2000.
Anorderissuedbythegovernmentoralocal
authoritytoacquirelandorbuildingsfor
publicinterestpurposes.Forexample,forthe
constructionofamajorroadorthe
redevelopmentofcertainbrownfieldsites.
Requirementsattachedtoaplanning
permissiontolimit,controlordirectthe
mannerinwhichadevelopmentiscarried
out.
Areasofspecialarchitecturalorhistoric
interest,thecharacterorappearanceof
whichitisdesirabletopreserveorenhance.
Apublisheddocumentdefiningthespecial
architecturalorhistoricinterestthat
warrantedtheareabeingdesignated.
Consentrequiredforthedemolitionofan
unlistedbuildingwithinaconservationarea.
Landthathasbeenpollutedorharmedin
somewaymakingitunfitforsafe
developmentandusageunlesscleaned.
Generallymeansthephysicalworknecessary
tochangeofuseofabuildingfroma
particularuse,classifiedintheuseclasses
order,toanotheruse.Canalsomeanthesub
divisionofresidentialpropertiesintoself
containedflatsormaisonettes.
ADevelopmentPlanDocumentsettingout
thespatialvisionandstrategicobjectivesof
theplanningframeworkforanarea,having
regardtotheCommunityStrategy(seealso
DPDs).
Theareanormallywithintheboundariesofa
propertysurroundingthemainbuildingand
usedinconnectionwithit.
Inthecaseofresidentialdevelopment,a
measurementofeitherthenumberof
habitableroomsperhectareorthenumberof
dwellingsperhectare.
Adesignstatementcanbemadeatapre
planningapplicationstagebyadeveloper,
indicatingthedesignprinciplesuponwhicha
proposalistobebased.Itmayalsobe
submittedinsupportofaplanning
application.
Aplanningapplicationseekingfullpermission
foradevelopmentproposal,withnomatters

Determination

Development

DevelopmentPlan

DevelopmentPlan
Documents(DPDs)

Dwelling&Dwellinghouse

reservedforlaterplanningapproval.
Theprocessbywhichalocalplanning
authorityreachesadecisiononwhethera
proposeddevelopmentrequiresplanning
permission.
Developmentisdefinedunderthe1990Town
andCountryPlanningActas"thecarryingout
ofbuilding,engineering,miningorother
operationin,on,overorunderland,orthe
makingofanymaterialchangeintheuseof
anybuildingorotherland."Mostformsof
developmentrequireplanningpermission
(seealso"permitteddevelopment").
Adocumentsettingoutthelocalplanning
authority'spoliciesandproposalsforthe
developmentanduseoflandandbuildingsin
theauthority'sarea.ItincludesUnitary,
Structure,andLocalPlanspreparedunder
transitionalarrangements.
ItalsoincludesthenewlookRegionalSpatial
StrategiesandDevelopmentPlanDocuments
preparedunderthePlanning&Compulsory
PurchaseActof2004.
DevelopmentPlanDocumentsareprepared
bylocalplanningauthoritiesandoutlinethe
keydevelopmentgoalsofthelocal
developmentframework.
DevelopmentPlanDocumentsincludethe
corestrategy,sitespecificallocationsofland
and,whereneeded,areaactionplans.There
willalsobeanadoptedproposalsmapwhich
illustratesthespatialextentofpoliciesthat
mustbepreparedandmaintainedto
accompanyallDPDs.
AllDPDsmustbesubjecttorigorous
proceduresofcommunityinvolvement,
consultationandindependentexamination,
andadoptedafterreceiptoftheinspector's
bindingreport.Onceadopted,development
controldecisionsmustbemadeinaccordance
withthemunlessmaterialconsiderations
indicateotherwise.
DPDsformanessentialpartoftheLocal
DevelopmentFramework.
Aselfcontainedbuildingorpartofabuilding
usedasaresidentialaccommodation,and
usuallyhousingasinglehousehold.Adwelling

Ecotowns

Elevation
EnforcementAction

EnforcementNotice

EnvironmentAgency

EnvironmentalImpact
Assessment(EIA),and
EnvironmentalStatement
(EA)

Floodplain

FloodRiskAssessment

maybeahouse,bungalow,flat,maisonette
orconvertedfarmbuilding.
Exemplar"greendevelopments".Theywill
meetthehigheststandardsofsustainability,
includinglowandzerocarbontechnologies
andqualitypublictransportsystems.Theywill
makeuseofbrownfieldlandandsurplus
publicsectorlandwherepracticalandlead
thewayindesign,facilitiesandservices,and
communityinvolvement
Theactualfacade(orface)ofabuilding,ora
planshowingthedrawingofafacade.
Proceduresbyalocalplanningauthorityto
ensurethatthetermsandconditionsofa
planningdecisionarecarriedout,orthat
developmentcarriedoutwithoutplanning
permissionisbroughtundercontrol.
Anoticeservedbyalocalplanningauthority
settingouttheremedialactionnecessaryto
putrightworkorcorrectanactivitythat
appearstohavebeenundertakenwithout
planningpermission.
Agovernmentbodythataimstopreventor
minimisetheeffectsofpollutiononthe
environmentandissuespermitstomonitor
andcontrolactivitiesthathandleorproduce
waste.Italsoprovidesuptodateinformation
onwastemanagementmattersanddeals
withothermatterssuchaswaterissues
includingfloodprotectionadvice.
Applicantsforcertaintypesofdevelopment,
usuallymoresignificantschemes,are
requiredtosubmitan"environmental
statement"accompanyingaplanning
application.Thisevaluatesthelikely
environmentalimpactsofthedevelopment,
togetherwithanassessmentofhowthe
severityoftheimpactscouldbereduced.
Generallylowlyingareasadjacenttoa
watercourse,tidallengthsofariverorthe
sea,wherewaterflowsintimesoffloodor
wouldflowbutforthepresenceofflood
defences.
Anassessmentofthelikelihoodoffloodingin
aparticularareasothatdevelopmentneeds
andmitigationmeasurescanbecarefully
considered.

FossilFuels(anonrenewable Carbonrichfuel(coal,oilandnaturalgas)
fuel)
formedfromtheremainsofancientanimals
andplants.Theircombustionisconsideredto
contributetothe'greenhouseeffect'.
Frontloading
Communityinvolvementintheproductionof
LocalDevelopmentDocumentstogainpublic
inputandseekconsensusfromtheearliest
opportunity.
FullApplication
See'Detailedapplication'.
GeneralConformity
ALocalDevelopmentDocumentmustbein
"general"conformitywiththestrategyand
proposalssetoutintheRegionalSpatial
StrategyasassessedbytheRegionalPlanning
Body(GLAinLondon).

GeneralPermitted
DevelopmentOrder(GPDO)

GeographicInformation
System(GIS)

GreenBelt(nottobe
confusedwiththeterm
'greenfield')

Normally,itwouldonlybewherean
inconsistencyoromissionofapolicycauses
significantharmtotheimplementationofthe
RSS(SDSinLondon)thatitwouldbe
considerednottobeingeneralconformity.
Asetofregulationsmadebythegovernment
whichgrantsplanningpermissionfor
specifiedlimitedorminorformsof
development.
Acomputerbasedsystemwherebymapping
andinformationarelinkedforavarietyof
uses,suchascapturingdatajustifyingLocal
DevelopmentDocuments.

Adesignationforlandaroundcertaincities
andlargebuiltupareas,whichaimstokeep
thislandpermanentlyopenorlargely
undeveloped.Thepurposesofthegreenbelt
isto:

checktheunrestrictedsprawloflarge
builtupareas
preventneighbouringtownsfrom
merging
safeguardthecountrysidefrom
encroachment
preservethesettingandspecial
characterofhistorictowns
assisturbanregenerationby
encouragingtherecyclingofderelict
andotherurbanland

Greenbeltsaredefinedinalocalplanning

GreenfieldLandorSite
GreenhouseEffect/Global
Warming

GreenhouseGases

Groundwater

Habitablerooms

HighwaysAgency

HousingCorporation

HumanRightsAct

authority'sdevelopmentplan.
Land(oradefinedsite)usuallyfarmland,that
hasnotpreviouslybeendeveloped.
ThegradualheatingoftheEarthdueto
greenhousegases,leadingtoclimatechange
andrisingsealevels.Renewableenergy,
energyefficientbuildingsandsustainable
travelareexamplesofwaystohelpavertthe
greenhouseeffect.
Naturallyoccurringexamplesincludewater
vapour,carbondioxide,methane,nitrous
oxideandozone.Somehumanactivities
increasethesegases,includingfossilfuel
combustionwithinmotorvehiclesandsome
powerstations.
Animportantpartofthenaturalwatercycle
presentunderground,withinstrataknownas
aquifers.
Anyroomusedorintendedtobeusedfor
sleeping,cooking,livingoreatingpurposes.
Enclosedspacessuchasbathortoilet
facilities,servicerooms,corridors,laundries,
hallways,utilityroomsorsimilarspacesare
excludedfromthisdefinition.
AnexecutiveagencyoftheDepartmentof
Transport.TheHighwaysAgencyis
responsibleforoperating,maintainingand
improvingthestrategicroadnetworkof
England.
ThenationalGovernmentagencythatfunds
newaffordablehousingandregulateshousing
associationsinEngland.
TheHumanRightsAct1998incorporated
provisionsoftheEuropeanConventionon
HumanRights(ECHR)intoUKlaw.
ThegeneralpurposeoftheECHRistoprotect
humanrightsandfundamentalfreedomsand
tomaintainandpromotetheidealsand
valuesofademocraticsociety.Itsetsoutthe
basicrightsofeverypersontogetherwiththe
limitationsplacedontheserightsinorderto
protecttherightsofothersandofthewider
community.
ThespecificArticlesoftheECHRrelevantto
planningincludeArticle6(Righttoafairand

publichearing),Article8(Righttorespectfor
privateandfamilylife,homeand
correspondence),Article14(Prohibitionof
discrimination)andArticle1ofProtocol1
(Righttopeacefulenjoymentofpossessions
andprotectionofproperty).
IndependentExamination
Theprocessbywhichaplanninginspector
maypubliclyexamineaDevelopmentPlan
Document(DPD)beforeissuingabinding
report.Thefindingssetoutinthereportare
bindinguponthelocalauthoritythat
producedtheDPD.
Infilldevelopment
Thedevelopmentofarelativelysmallgap
betweenexistingbuildings.
InformalHearing
Aplanningappealhearingundertakenina
structuredway,butwithoutthefullformality
ofalocalinquiry.
Infrastructure
Basicservicesnecessaryfordevelopmentto
takeplace,forexample,roads,electricity,
sewerage,water,educationandhealth
facilities.
Inquiry(sometimesknownas Ahearingbyaplanninginspectorintoa
aPublicInquiry)
planningmattersuchasalocalplanor
appeal.
Insetmap
Adevelopmentplanmapshowingaparticular
areaofinterestonthewiderproposalsmap
atalarger,morereadablescale.
Issues,OptionsandPreferred The"presubmission"consultationstageson
Options
DevelopmentPlanDocumentswiththe
objectiveofgainingpublicconsensusover
proposalsaheadofsubmissiontogovernment
forindependentexamination.
LandscapeAppraisal
Amethodofassessingappearanceand
essentialcharacteristicsofalandscape.
LandscapeCharacter
Thedistinctandrecognisablepatternof
elementsthatoccurconsistentlyina
particulartypeoflandscape.Itreflects
particularcombinationsofgeology,landform,
soils,vegetation,landuseandhuman
settlement.
LawfulDevelopment
Acertificateissuedbyalocalplanning
Certificate
authority,onapplication,statingthatan
existing(LDC191)orproposeduse(LDC192),
orotherformsofdevelopment,canbe
consideredaslawfulforplanningpurposes.
Layout
Thewaybuildings,routesandopenspaces
areplacedorlaidoutonthegroundin

Legibility(intermsof
settlementpatterns)

LifetimeHomesStandards

ListedBuilding

ListedBuildingConsent

LocalAreaAgreement(LAA)

LocalDevelopment
Documents(LDDs)

LocalDevelopment
Framework(LDF)

relationtoeachother.
Alegibleareaisonewithastrongsenseof

localidentity.Locations,streets,openspaces
andplacesthathaveaclearimageandare
easytounderstand.Forexample,alocation
thatiseasytofindyourwayaround.
Criteriadevelopedbyagroupconvenedby

theJosephRowntreeFoundationin1991to
helphousebuildersproducenewhomes
flexibleenoughtodealwithchangesinlife
situationsofoccupantse.g.caringforyoung
children,temporaryinjuries,declining
mobilitywithage.
Abuildingofspecialarchitecturalorhistoric

interest.ListedbuildingsaregradedI,II*orII
withgradeIbeingthehighest.Listingincludes
theinterioraswellastheexteriorofthe
building,andanybuildingsorpermanent
structures(e.g.wellswithinitscurtilage).
EnglishHeritageisresponsiblefordesignating
buildingsforlistinginEngland.
Consentrequiredforthedemolition,inwhole
orinpartofalistedbuilding,orforanyworks
ofalterationorextensionthatwouldaffect
thecharacterofthebuilding.
Athreeyearagreement,basedonlocal
SustainableCommunityStrategies,thatsets
outtheprioritiesforalocalareaagreed
betweenCentralGovernment,representedby
theGovernmentOffice(GO),andalocalarea,
representedbythelocalauthorityandother
keypartnersthroughLocalStrategic
Partnerships(LSPs).
TheseincludeDevelopmentPlanDocuments
(whichformpartofthestatutory
developmentplan)andSupplementary
PlanningDocuments(whichdonotformpart
ofthestatutorydevelopmentplan).LDDs
collectivelydeliverthespatialplanning
strategyforthelocalplanningauthority's
area.
TheLocalDevelopmentFramework(LDF)isa
nonstatutorytermusedtodescribeafolder
ofdocuments,whichincludesallthelocal
planningauthority'slocaldevelopment

documents.AnLDFiscomprisedof:

DevelopmentPlanDocuments(which
formpartofthestatutory
developmentplan)
SupplementaryPlanningDocuments

Thelocaldevelopmentframeworkwillalso
compriseof:

LocalDevelopmentOrder
(LDO)

LocalDevelopmentScheme
(LDS)

LocalPlan

LocalPlanningAuthority

LocalStrategicPartnership
(LSP)

LocalTransportPlan

theStatementofCommunity
Involvement
theLocalDevelopmentScheme
theAnnualMonitoringReport
anyLocalDevelopmentOrdersor
SimplifiedPlanningZonesthatmay
havebeenadded

Anordermadebyalocalplanningauthority
extendingpermitteddevelopmentrightsfor
certainformsofdevelopment,withregardto
arelevantLocalDevelopmentDocument.
Thelocalplanningauthority'stimescaled
programmeforthepreparationofLocal
DevelopmentDocumentsthatmustbe
agreedwithgovernmentandreviewedevery
year.
Anoldstyledevelopmentplanpreparedby
districtandotherlocalplanningauthorities.
Theseplanswillcontinuetooperatefora
timeafterthecommencementofthenew
developmentplansystem,byvirtueof
specifictransitionalprovisions.
Thelocalauthorityorcouncilthatis
empoweredbylawtoexerciseplanning
functions.Oftenthelocalboroughordistrict
council.NationalparksandtheBroads
authorityarealsoconsideredtobelocal
planningauthorities.Countycouncilsarethe
authorityforwasteandmineralsmatters.
Anoverallpartnershipofpeoplethatbrings
togetherorganisationsfromthepublic,
private,communityandvoluntarysector
withinalocalauthorityarea,withthe
objectiveofimprovingpeople'squalityoflife.
Afiveyearintegratedtransportstrategy,
preparedbylocalauthoritiesinpartnership

MasterPlan

MaterialConsideration

NationalPark

NatureConservation

Noiseexposurecategory
(NEC)

NonFossilFuels

OpenSpace

Outlineapplication

withthecommunity,seekingfundingtohelp
providelocaltransportprojects.Theplansets
outtheresourcespredictedfordeliveryofthe
targetsidentifiedinthestrategy.Local
transportplansshouldbeconsistentwiththe
policiesandprioritiessetoutintheRegional
TransportStrategyasanintegralpartofthe
RegionalSpatialStrategy.
Atypeofplanningbriefoutliningthe
preferredusageoflandandtheoverall
approachtothelayoutofadeveloper.To
providedetailedguidanceforsubsequent
planningapplications.
Amatterthatshouldbetakenintoaccountin
decidingaplanningapplicationoronan
appealagainstaplanningdecision.
Thestatutorypurposesofnationalparksare
toconserveandenhancetheirnaturalbeauty,
wildlifeandculturalheritageandtopromote
opportunitiesforpublicunderstandingand
enjoymentoftheirspecialqualities.National
parksaredesignatedbytheCountryside
Agency,subjecttoconfirmationbythe
SecretaryofStateundertheNationalParks
andAccesstotheCountrysideAct1949.
Theprotection,managementandpromotion
ofwildlifehabitatforthebenefitofwild
species,aswellasthecommunitiesthatuse
andenjoythem.
Intermsofplanningguidance,whenassessing
aproposalforresidentialdevelopmentnear
toasourceofnoise,planningauthoritiesuse
noiseexposurecategoriestohelpconsider
theeffects.
Sourcesofenergynotderivedfromthe
combustionoffossilfuels.Examplesinclude
renewableenergyresourcessuchaswindor
hydroelectric(water)power.
Allspaceofpublicvalue,includingpublic
landscapedareas,playingfields,parksand
playareas,andalsoincludingnotjustland,
butalsoareasofwatersuchasrivers,canals,
lakesandreservoirs,whichcanoffer
opportunitiesforsportandrecreationorcan
alsoactasavisualamenityandahavenfor
wildlife.
Ageneralapplicationforplanningpermission

PermittedDevelopment(or
PermittedDevelopment
Rights)

Planning&Compulsory
PurchaseAct2004

toestablishthatadevelopmentisacceptable
inprinciple,subjecttosubsequentapproval
ofdetailedmatters.Doesnotapplyto
changesofuse.
Permissiontocarryoutcertainlimitedforms
ofdevelopmentwithouttheneedtomakean
applicationtoalocalplanningauthority,as
grantedunderthetermsoftheTownand
CountryPlanning(GeneralPermitted
Development)Order.
TheActupdateselementsofthe1990Town
&CountryPlanningAct.ThePlanningand
CompulsoryPurchaseAct2004introduces:

PlanningCondition
PlanningGain

PlanningInspectorate

astatutorysystemforregional
planning
anewsystemforlocalplanning
reformstothedevelopmentcontrol
andcompulsorypurchaseand
compensationsystems
removalofcrownimmunityfrom
planningcontrols.

Conditionattachedtoaplanningpermission.
Thebenefitsorsafeguards,oftenfor
communitybenefit,securedbywayofa
planningobligationaspartofaplanning
approvalandusuallyprovidedatthe
developer'sexpense.Forexample,affordable
housing,communityfacilitiesormitigation
measures.
ThePlanningInspectorateisthegovernment
bodyresponsiblefor:

theprocessingofplanningand
enforcementappeals
holdinginquiriesintolocal
developmentplans
listedbuildingconsentappeals
advertisementappeals
reportingonplanningapplications
calledinfordecisionbytheSecretary
ofStateorinWaleswiththeNational
AssemblyforWales
examinationsofdevelopmentplan
documentsandstatementsof
communityinvolvement

PlanningObligationsand
Agreements

PlanningPermission

PlanningPolicyGuidance
(PPG)

PlanningPolicyStatement
(PPS)

PlanningPortal

PreviouslyDevelopedLand
(PDL)or'Brownfield'land

variouscompulsorypurchaseorders,
rightsofwaycases;andcasesarising
fromtheEnvironmentalProtection
andWaterActsandtheTransport
andWorksActandotherhighways
legislationarealsodealtwith.

Theworkissetinagreementwith
DepartmentforTransport,theDepartment
forCommunitiesandLocalGovernmentand
theNationalAssemblyforWales.
Legalagreementsbetweenaplanning
authorityandadeveloper,orundertakings
offeredunilaterallybyadeveloper,that
ensurethatcertainextraworksrelatedtoa
developmentareundertaken.Forexample,
theprovisionofhighways.Sometimescalled
"Section106"agreements.
Formalapprovalsoughtfromacouncil,often
grantedwithconditions,allowingaproposed
developmenttoproceed.Permissionmaybe
soughtinprinciplethroughoutlineplanning
applications,orbesoughtindetailthrough
fullplanningapplications.
Issuedbycentralgovernmentsettingoutits
nationallandusepoliciesforEnglandon
differentareasofplanning.Theseare
graduallybeingreplacedbyPlanningPolicy
Statements.
Issuedbycentralgovernmenttoreplacethe
existingPlanningPolicyGuidancenotesin
ordertoprovidegreaterclarityandtoremove
fromnationalpolicyadviceonpractical
implementation,whichisbetterexpressedas
guidanceratherthanpolicy.
Anationalwebsiteprovidedbythe
governmentformembersofthepublic,local
planningauthoritiesandplanningconsultants.
ThePlanningPortalfeaturesawiderangeof
informationandservicesonplanning.
Previouslydevelopedlandisthatwhichisor
wasoccupiedbyapermanentstructure
(excludingagriculturalorforestrybuildings),
andassociatedfixedsurfaceinfrastructure.
Thedefinitioncoversthecurtilageofthe
development.PlanningPolicyGuidanceNote
3(Housing)hasadetaileddefinition.

PublicArt

PublicOpenSpace

PublicRealm

PublicRightofWay

Regeneration

RegionalSpatialStrategy
(RSS)

RegisteredSocialLandlord
(RSL)

RenewableEnergy

Section106Agreement

Permanentortemporaryphysicalworksofart
visibletothegeneralpublic,whetherpartofa
buildingorfreestanding.Forexample,
sculpture,lightingeffects,streetfurniture,
paving,railingsandsigns.
Urbanspace,designatedbyacouncil,where
publicaccessmayormaynotbeformally
established,butwhichfulfilsorcanfulfilla
recreationalornonrecreationalrole(for
example,amenity,ecological,educational,
socialorculturalusages).
Thosepartsofavillage,townorcity(whether
publiclyorprivatelyowned)available,for
everyonetouse.Thisincludesstreets,
squaresandparks.
Apublicrightofwayisahighwayoverwhich
thepublichavearightofaccessalongthe
route.
Theeconomic,socialandenvironmental
renewalandimprovementofruralandurban
areas.
Astrategyforhowaregionshouldlookin15
to20yearstimeandpossiblylonger.The
RegionalSpatialStrategyidentifiesthescale
anddistributionofnewhousingintheregion,
indicatesareasforregeneration,expansionor
subregionalplanningandspecifiespriorities
fortheenvironment,transport,
infrastructure,economicdevelopment,
agriculture,mineralsandwastetreatment
anddisposal.MostformerRegionalPlanning
GuidanceisnowconsideredRSSandforms
partofthedevelopmentplan.Regional
SpatialStrategiesarepreparedbyRegional
PlanningBodies.
Technicalnameforabodyregisteredwiththe
HousingCorporation.MostHousing
AssociationsareRSLs.Theyownormanage
some1.4millionaffordablehomes,both
socialrentedandintermediate.Seealso:
HousingAssociation.
Renewableenergyisenergyflowsthatoccur
naturallyandrepeatedlyintheenvironment,
forexamplefromthewind,waterflow,tides
orthesun.
Alegalagreementundersection106ofthe
1990Town&CountryPlanningAct.Section

SiteofSpecialScientific
Interest(SSSI)

SpatialDevelopment

SpatialPlanning

SpecialNeedsHousing

StatementofCommunity
Involvement(SCI)

106agreementsarelegalagreements
betweenaplanningauthorityanda
developer,orundertakingsoffered
unilaterallybyadeveloper,thatensurethat
certainextraworksrelatedtoadevelopment
areundertaken.
AsiteidentifiedundertheWildlifeand
CountrysideAct1981(asamendedbythe
CountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000)as
anareaofspecialinterestbyreasonofanyof
itsflora,fauna,geologicalorphysiographical
features(basically,plants,animals,and
naturalfeaturesrelatingtotheEarth's
structure).
Changesinthedistributionofactivitiesin
spaceandthelinkagesbetweenthemin
termsoftheuseanddevelopmentofland.
Spatialplanninggoesbeyondtraditionalland
useplanningtobringtogetherandintegrate
policiesforthedevelopmentanduseofland
withotherpoliciesandprogrammeswhich
influencethenatureofplacesandhowthey
function.
Thiswillincludepolicieswhichcanimpacton
landusebyinfluencingthedemandson,or
needsfor,development,butwhicharenot
capableofbeingdeliveredsolelyormainly
throughthegrantingorrefusalofplanning
permissionandwhichmaybeimplemented
byothermeans.
Housingtomeettheneedsofgroupsof
peoplewhomaybedisadvantaged,suchas
theelderly,thedisabled,students,young
singlepeople,roughsleepers,thehomeless,
thoseneedinghostelaccommodation,key
workers,travellersandoccupiersofmobile
homesandhouseboats.
TheStatementofCommunityInvolvement
setsouttheprocessestobeusedbythelocal
authorityininvolvingthecommunityinthe
preparation,alterationandcontinuingreview
ofalllocaldevelopmentdocumentsand
developmentcontroldecisions.The
StatementofCommunityInvolvementisan
essentialpartofthenewlookLocal
DevelopmentFrameworks.

Statutory
StatutoryBody

StatutoryUndertakers/
StatutoryUtilities

StrategicEnvironmental
Assessment(SEA)

Requiredbylaw(statute),usuallythroughan
ActofParliament.
Agovernmentappointedbodysetuptogive
adviceandbeconsultedforcommentupon
developmentplansandplanningapplications
affectingmattersofpublicinterest.Examples
ofstatutorybodiesinclude:Countryside
Agency,EnglishHeritage,EnglishNature,
EnvironmentAgency,Health&Safety
Executive,RegionalDevelopmentAgency,and
SportEngland.
Bodiescarryingoutfunctionsofapublic
characterunderastatutorypower.Theymay
eitherbeinpublicorprivateownershipsuch
asPostOffice,CivilAviationAuthority,the
EnvironmentAgencyoranywater
undertaker,anypublicgastransporters,
supplyofelectricityetc.
Anenvironmentalassessmentofcertainplans
andprogrammes,includingthoseinthefield
ofplanningandlanduse,whichcomplieswith
theEUDirective2001/42/EC.The
environmentalassessmentinvolvesthe:

SuiGeneris

SupplementaryPlanning
Document(SPD)

preparationofanenvironmental
report
carryingoutofconsultations
takingintoaccountofthe
environmentalreportandtheresults
oftheconsultationsindecision
making
provisionofinformationwhenthe
planorprogrammeisadopted
showingthattheresultsofthe
environmentassessmenthavebeen
takenintoaccount

Atermgiventotheusesoflandorbuildings,
notfallingintoanyoftheuseclasses
identifiedbytheUseClassesOrder,for
exampletheatres,launderettes,car
showroomsandfillingstations.
ASupplementaryPlanningDocumentisa

LocalDevelopmentDocumentthatmaycover
arangeofissues,thematicorsitespecific,
andprovidesfurtherdetailofpoliciesand
proposalsina'parent'DevelopmentPlan

SupplementaryPlanning
Guidance(SPG)

SustainabilityAppraisal
(includingEnvironmental
Appraisal)

SustainableCommunities
SustainableCommunities
Plan

SustainableDevelopment

Document.
SupplementaryPlanningGuidancemaycover
arangeofissues,boththematicandsite
specificandprovidefurtherdetailofpolicies
andproposalsinadevelopmentplan.
Anappraisaloftheeconomic,environmental
andsocialeffectsofaplanfromtheoutsetof
thepreparationprocesstoallowdecisionsto
bemadethataccordwithsustainable
development.
Placeswherepeoplewanttoliveandwork,
nowandinthefuture.
Aprogrammeissuedbythegovernmentto
settheframeworkfordeliveringsustainable
communitiesoverthenext1520years.The
mainareasoffocusarehousingsupply,new
growthareas,decenthomesandthe
countrysideandlocalenvironment.
Awidelyuseddefinitiondrawnupbythe
WorldCommissiononEnvironmentand
Developmentin1987:"Developmentthat
meetstheneedsofthepresentwithout
compromisingtheabilityoffuture
generationstomeettheirownneeds."

Thegovernmenthassetoutfouraimsfor
sustainabledevelopmentinitsstrategyA
BetterQualityofLife,aStrategyfor
SustainableDevelopmentintheUK.
Thefouraims,tobeachievedsimultaneously,
are:

Sustainabletravel/
sustainabletransport

socialprogresswhichrecognisesthe
needsofeveryone
effectiveprotectionofthe
environment
prudentuseofnaturalresources
maintenanceofhighandstablelevels
ofeconomicgrowthand
employment.

Oftenmeaningwalking,cyclingandpublicuse
oftransport(andinsomecircumstances"car
sharing"),whichisconsideredtobeless
damagingtotheenvironmentandwhich
contributeslesstotrafficcongestionthan

onepersoncarjourneys.
Topography
Adescription(orvisualrepresentationona
map)oftheshapeoftheland,forexample,
contoursorchangesintheheightofland
abovesealevel.
Townscape/Cityscape
Thegeneralappearanceofabuiltuparea,for
exampleastreetatownorcity.
TransportAssessment(TA)
Anassessmentoftheavailabilityof,and
levelsofaccessto,allformsoftransportation.
TravelPlan(sometimescalled Atravelplanaimstopromotesustainable
a'greentravel'or'commuter' travelchoices(forexample,cycling)asan
plan)
alternativetosingleoccupancycarjourneys
thatmayimpactnegativelyonthe
environment,congestionandroadsafety.
Travelplanscanberequiredwhengranting
planningpermissionfornewdevelopments.
TreePreservationOrder
Amechanismforsecuringthepreservationof
(TPO)
singleorgroupsoftreesofacknowledged
amenityvalue.Atreesubjecttoatree
preservationordermaynotnormallybe
topped,loppedorfelledwithouttheconsent
ofthelocalplanningauthority.
UnauthorisedDevelopment
Developmentthathasoristakingplace
withoutthebenefitofplanningpermission.It
maythenriskbeingthesubjectof
enforcementaction.
UrbanCapacityStudy
Studiesundertakentoestablishhowmuch
additionalhousingcanbeaccommodated
withinurbanareas.
UrbanDesign
Theartofmakingplaces.Itinvolvesthe
designofbuildings,groupsofbuildings,
spacesandlandscapes,invillages,townsand
cities,tocreatesuccessfuldevelopment.
UseClassesOrder
TheTownandCountryPlanning(UseClasses)
Order1987putsusesoflandandbuildings
intovariouscategories.Planningpermissionis
notneededforchangesofusewithinthe
sameuseclass.
WildlifeCorridor
Stripsofland(forexample,alongahedgerow)
conservedandmanagedforwildlife,usually
linkingmoreextensivewildlifehabitats.
WindfallSite
Asitenotspecificallyallocatedfor
developmentinadevelopmentplan,but
whichunexpectedlybecomesavailablefor
developmentduringthelifetimeofaplan.
Most"windfalls"arereferredtoinahousing
context.Theytendtobeverysmallsitesfor

Writtenrepresentations

ZerocarbonHome

oneorasmallnumberofhomes.
Aprocedurebywhichrepresentationson

planningappeals,developmentplansand
DevelopmentPlanDocumentscanbedealt
withwithouttheneedforafullpublicinquiry
orinformalhearing.
Overayear,thenetcarbonemissionsfromall
energyuseinthehomearezero.Thisincludes
energyusefromcooking,washingand
electronicentertainmentappliancesaswellas
spaceheating,cooling,ventilation,lighting
andhotwater.

Acknowledgement

ThisglossaryisashortenedversionbasedontheglossaryavailableonthePlanningPortals
websitewww.planningportal.gov.uk

Acronyms

AAP AreaActionPlan
AMR AnnualMonitoringReport
CS
CoreStrategy
GPDO Town&CountryPlanning(GeneralPermittedDevelopment)Order
LDD LocalDevelopmentDocument
LDF
LocalDevelopmentFramework
LDS
LocalDevelopmentScheme
LTP
LocalTransportPlan
LSP LocalStrategicPartnership
PPG PlanningPolicyGuidance
PPS
PlanningPolicyStatement
RPG RegionalPlanningGuidance
RSS
RegionalSpatialStrategy
SA
SustainabilityAppraisal
SCI
StatementofCommunityInvolvement
SEA
StrategicEnvironmentalAssessment
SPD SupplementaryPlanningDocument
SPG SupplementaryPlanningGuidance
TPO TreePreservationOrder

Questions

PleasecontactPlanningEnquiries01908252358orplanning.enquiries@miltonkeynes.gov.ukif
youhaveanyqueriesabouttheinformationprovidedinthisdocumentorhaveanyfurther
questions.

UpdatedApril2008