Back to Contents - Back to Introduction     APPENDIX C   Glossary   A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z       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. Adoption The final confirmation of a development plan or Local Development Document status by a local planning authority (LPA). 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. Ancillary Use / Operations A subsidiary or secondary use or operation closely associated with the main use of a building or piece of land. 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.     top Biodiversity The whole variety of life encompassing all genetics, species and ecosystem variations, including plants and animals. Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) A strategy prepared for a local area aimed at conserving and enhancing biological diversity. Brief / Planning Brief A document containing guidance and specification about the way a site or group of sites should be developed. The term can refer to site-specific development briefs, design briefs, development frameworks and master plans that seek to positively shape future development. 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.     top Catchment (in retailing terms) The geographical area from which a retail destination draws its trade. Sometimes measured in terms of 'Drive Time'. 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. Circular A government publication setting out policy guidance and procedural matters. Community Strategy A strategy prepared by a local strategic partnership (LSP) under Local Government Act 2000 to improve quality of life and aspirations in the area which it covers. Conditions (or 'planning conditions') 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. Contaminated Land Land that has been polluted or harmed in some way making it unfit for safe development and usage unless cleaned.     top 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. Designing 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. 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 be 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. District Centre A group of shops, community uses and 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.     top Edge-of-Centre A location that is within easy walking distance (often considered 200-300 metres) of the primary shopping area. Employment Land Availability (ELA) The total amount of land reserved for industrial and business use awaiting development. 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.     top 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.     top 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 are 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 regeneration 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 valuable habitats and linkages for wildlife movement 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 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.     top Hazardous Waste Wastes that have the potential to cause harm to human health or the environment. High Hedges Evergreen hedges over 2 metres high categorised in Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, as causing a nuisance to neighbouring occupies of property. The act gives local planning authorities the role of adjudicators in cases where neighbours have been unable to resolve their difference about such hedges.  Housing Land Availability (HLA) The total amount of land reserved for residential use awaiting development.     top Infill development The development of a relatively small gap between existing buildings. Inset map A development plan map showing a particular area of interest on the wider proposals map at a larger, more readable scale.     top Knowledge-based Industry High technology industries (such as computers 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.     top Landfill Gas The gas generated in any landfill site accepting biodegradable material. It consists of a mixture of gases, mainly methane and carbon dioxide, and usually has the potential to be a biofuel. Landscape Character The distinct and recognisable pattern of elements that occur consistently in a particular type of landscape and give it recognisable identity. It reflects particular combinations of geology, landform, soils, vegetation, land use and human settlement. 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. Local Centre A small group of shops and perhaps limited service outlets of a local nature (for example in a suburban housing estate) serving a small catchment. Sometimes also referred to as a local neighbourhood centre. Local Development Document (LDD) A document contained in a Local Development Framework. Local Development Framework (LDF) Local Development Framework (LDF) is a term used to describe a folder of documents, which includes all the local planning authority's local development documents. A LDF is comprised of: Development Plan Documents (which form part of the statutory development plan) Supplementary Planning Documents Proposals Map 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 any policies or guidance saved from the pre-2004 development plan system 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 Nature Reserve An area designated by a local authority for the management of a habitat of local significance where protection and public understanding of nature conservation is encouraged. (See also Site of Nature Conservation Importance) Local Plan An old-style development plan prepared by district and other local planning authorities. Some of 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 Strategic Partnership (LSP A partnership that brings together organisations from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors within one or more local authority areas, with the objective of improving people's quality of life and aspirations. (See also Community Strategy) 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.     top 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 development on a site or group of sites. To provide detailed guidance for subsequent planning applications. Mixed use Provision of a mix of complementary uses, such as residential, community and leisure uses, on a site or within a particular area.     top 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. 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.     top 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. 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.     top Passive Solar Design All the methods of architectural design and construction intended 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) Permission 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. Phasing or Phased Development The programming 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. 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 Condition Condition attached to a planning permission. 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. For example, affordable housing, community facilities or measures mitigating adverse environmental impacts. 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 Permission Formal approval sought from a local planning authority (such as Chesterfield Borough Council) to allow a proposed development to proceed. Often granted with conditions. 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. Playing Field Land laid out with a pitch or pitches for games. 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. Protected Species Plants and animal species afforded protection under certain Acts of Parliament and Regulations. Public Art Works of art visible to or benefitting the general public. Can be permanent or temporary, usually manifested physically, such as sculpture, lighting effects, street furniture, paving, railings or signs, but can also be manifested as an activity, event or abstract commission, such as a piece of music or a dance. 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).     top Recycling The reprocessing of waste for further productive use either in its current form or in a different one. Regeneration The economic, social and environmental renewal and improvement of rural and urban areas. 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 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 Spatial Strategy (RSS) A strategy for how a region should develop over 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. The Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands (which includes Chesterfield) is prepared on behalf of the East Midlands Regional Assembly. 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. Retail Floorspace Total floor area of a 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 Warehouses Large, usually out-of-town or out-of-centre units selling bulky non-food items such as DIY, furniture, leisure and household goods.     top Saved Policies / Saved Plan Policies within unitary development plans, local plans and structure plans that are saved for a time, pending their replacement through production of Local Development Documents. 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 necessary 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 physical context of a building or site, for example the surroundings of a listed building or landscape around a village or town. Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SINC) Locally important sites of nature conservation adopted by local authorities for planning purposes. (See also Local Nature Reserve). Social Inclusion Positive action taken to include all sectors of society in planning and other decision-making. 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 accommodation, key workers, travellers and occupiers of mobile homes and houseboats. 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. 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 2005, for example amusement arcades, launderettes, car showrooms and petrol 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 Local Development Document that may cover a range of issues, thematic or site specific, and which provides further detail of policies and proposals in a 'parent' Development Plan Document.  Under the new planning system, this class of document is intended to take the place of Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) in due course. Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) Document produced under the old development plan system which could cover a range of issues, both thematic and site specific and provide further detail of policies and proposals in a development plan. Intended to be replaced by Supplementary Planning Documents under the post-2004 planning system. Sustainability Appraisal (including Strategic Environmental Assessment) 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 the principles of sustainable development. Sustainable Communities People living in a place, places or area in a way that follows the principles of sustainable development. (See below) 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 likely to contribute less to traffic congestion and pollution than one-person car journeys.     top 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 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. 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 sharing), bicycles, and walking and public transport. Tree Preservation Order (TPO) A mechanism for securing the preservation of single trees or groups of trees of acknowledged public 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.     top Unauthorised Development Development that has taken, or is taking place, without the benefit of planning permission. It may be the subject of enforcement action if to allow the development could conflict with the policies of the Local Development Framework or other material considerations. Urban Capacity Study A study undertaken to establish how much additional housing can be accommodated within a particular urban area. 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 Fringe The urban fringe is the transitional area at the point where urban areas meet 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 make such provision. Urban Regeneration Making an urban area develop or grow strong again through means such as job creation and environmental renewal. Urban Sprawl The uncontrolled or unplanned extension of urban areas into the countryside. Use In the context of this local plan, the way in which land or buildings are used. See also Change of Use and Use Classes Order. 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.     top Viability In terms of retailing, a centre that is capable of commercial success. In terms of community facilities such as village shops and pubs, operations which are capable of being sustained on the evidence of projected resources and usage. Vitality In terms of retailing, the vigour of a centre or individual shop's day to day trading, or the capacity of a centre to grow or develop its level of activity.     top Wildlife Corridor Strip 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.     top