APPENDIX D
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Affordable Housing (also sometimes known as low cost housing)
Housing which is accessible to people who cannot afford to buy into the open market.
Amenity
A positive element or elements which contribute to the overall character of an area, for example open land, trees, historic buildings and the inter-relationship between all elements in the environment.
Amenity Open Space
Open space which has a value in contributing to the areas amenity, notably in terms of its visual or environmental role (rather than its specific value for recreation or nature conservation).
Ancient Monument
A structure or archaeological remains of national importance where the provisions of the "Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979" applies.
Ancillary
Facilities or development which are additional, but not always essential or directly related to the main use of an area of land.
Areas of Search
Areas underlain by minerals which do not have major planning constraints in terms of the Development Plan and where, therefore, the Council will consider proposals for mineral working, provided detailed criteria set out in the other policies are met.
Biodiversity
The range of life forms which constitute the living world, from microscopic organisms to the largest tree or animal, and the habitat and ecosystem in which they live.
Brownfield Land
See “Previously Developed Land”
Buffer
An area of land which separates or screens incompatible uses, e.g. an area of landscaping.
Business Park
Modern business areas characterised by a mix of light industry, office and research uses distinguished by their high standards of design, low density and landscaping.
Car Parking Strategy
A framework of policies and proposals to co-ordinate improvements to car parking facilities in Rochdale Town Centre.
Circular
A government publication providing guidance on specific issues. Identified by the number and year in which it was published.
Community Plan
Overarching local strategy for the future of the Borough, outlining actions towards environmental, economic and social well-being, and contributing to sustainable development in the UK. See Rochdale Partnership / Local Strategic Partnership.
Commuted Sum
One off payment made instead of providing facilities or a service, and which takes away responsibility to make such provision. Most commonly applied in the context of open space or landscape maintenance.
Comparison Goods
Items which are purchased less frequently and which people are more likely to search out and compare before buying, usually taken to be clothing, footwear, DIY goods, household and recreational goods, toiletries, jewellery, etc.
Conservation Area
An area of special architectural or historic interest identified by the Council under the “Planning (Conservation and Listed Buildings) Act 1990”, where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the special character of that area.
Contaminated Land
Land where certain substances are present which can give rise to air or water pollution, migration of gases and risk to human life, and danger to plant equipment.
Convenience Goods
Items which are purchased frequently and for which convenience is a major consideration in deciding where to shop, usually taken to be food, alcoholic drink, tobacco, newspapers, magazines and cleaning materials.
Density
The intensity of development in a given area. Usually measured, for housing, in terms of number of dwellings per hectare. Net residential density is measured as the number of dwelling units per hectare of land developed specifically for housing and directly associated uses.
Derelict Land
Land which is damaged by past development so that it is incapable of beneficial use without treatment.
Development
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 buildings or other land (Section 55, Town & Country Planning Act 1990).
Development Control (DC)
Control of development by the Local Planning Authority or Secretary of State for the Environment through the consideration of planning applications.
English Heritage
The agency responsible for advising Government on the preservation and interpretation of ancient monuments and historic buildings in England.
English Nature
The agency responsible for advising Government on the conservation of flora, fauna, geological and physiographical features in England.
Environmental Impact Assessment
A written statement which the Council may require from planning applicants setting out in detail the environmental effects that a proposed large new development (such as an out-of-town shopping centre or industrial complex) will have on the surrounding area.
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Grants from the European Commission (EC) towards the cost of public sector investment in infrastructure projects to create/safeguard jobs within community programmes and initiatives instigated by the European Commission.
General Development Order 1995 (GDO)
An Order which describes those categories of development which may be carried out without the need to apply for permission (‘permitted development’).
Greenfield Land
Land which has not previously held built development.
Greenspace Corridors
Corridors of urban open land which perform a number of functions, e.g. as areas of recreational, wildlife and amenity value. For fuller description see Policy UG/8.
Habitat Survey
A survey which provides information on habitats which are of local interest and used to support nature conservation matters.
Hectare
A measure of surface area equivalent to 2.4711 acres or 10,000 square metres.
Heritage
Things of value inherited or passed on from generation to generation, qualities which are worthwhile to preserve for posterity.
Highway
A generic term encompassing various public rights of way over land, e.g. for the passage of vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. Usually used to describe a road carriageway for vehicles and the adjoining footway. A full legal description is contained in the Highways Act 1980.
Housing Association
A non-profit making organisation run by a Committee of volunteers. All share the common aim of providing homes for people who cannot afford a suitable home on the open market. Registered housing associations receive grants from the Government to provide subsidised housing for rent and sale or through shared ownership.
Housing Investment Programme (HIP)
The annual spending programme on housing for each Local Authority, submitted to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) for their approval.
Informal Recreation
Recreation activities which are not formally organised and which do not generally require marked-out areas.
Infrastructure
The provision of communications and services to include provision of roads, drains, gas and electricity at a basic level, and also including social infrastructure such as schools and community centres.
Inward Investment
Investment by the private sector from sources outside of Borough, including from abroad.
Land Banks
The permitted reserves of a particular mineral measured in terms of the number of years of production that they will provide at a certain level of demand. The current land bank duration for sand and gravel is 10 years and 15 years for sandstone as recommended by the DTLR.
Landfill Gas
A gas produced by the decomposition of landfill waste within a tip, which, when certain conditions exist, can migrate and cause potential environmental hazards on adjacent sites.
Listed Buildings
A building of special architectural or historic interest included within a list compiled by the Secretary of State for the Environment under the “Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990”. Listed Buildings are graded according to their importance. They cannot be altered or demolished without specific consent being granted.
Local Agenda 21
The process of local action towards sustainable development, and implementing the Agenda 21 Framework agreed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
An area of botanical or wildlife interest, which is selected by the Local Authority in consultation with English Nature, where access and use by the public is encouraged. In Rochdale, LNRs are also defined as Sites of Biological Importance.
Local Transport Plan (Greater Manchester)
A five-year plan for Greater Manchester setting out objectives and a strategy for integrated transport provision, together with a programme of major projects and complementary schemes. It is required by Government to be prepared and is submitted to Government for approval and funding.
Metrolink
Metrolink is the name given to the Greater Manchester Light Rapid Transit (LRT) supertram system which currently operates between Bury and Altrincham via the City centre.
Non-Conforming Uses
Existing land uses which are located within an area with a different primary land use, i.e. industrial use within a primarily residential area. Non-conforming uses do not necessarily cause nuisance to neighbours.
National Playing Fields Association (NPFA)
The independent national charity which advises on the design, layout and safety of playing fields and other playing space. Also acquires, protects and improves playgrounds, playing fields and other playspace.
Notifiable Installations
A site where hazardous substances are manufactured, processed, kept or used in quantities over certain limits set in the Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1952.
Oldham and Rochdale Groundwork Trust
An environmental movement with the aim of achieving environmental regeneration and improving, at a local level, people's environmental awareness. Groundwork works in partnership with companies, Local Authorities, community and voluntary groups, and schools.
Outline Planning Permission
Confirms the principle of developing land for a given land use. Normally for a period of three years.
Passenger Transport Authority/Executive (PTA/E)
The Greater Manchester PTA is made up of thirty Members (Councillors) appointed by the ten local Councils of Greater Manchester. Its role is to provide a framework which enables operators to provide public transport services. It does this with the assistance of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE), which is a professional transport organisation required to advise on and implement the GMPTA’s policies.
Pedestrianisation
Full or partial removal of traffic from a street to give pedestrians priority.
Planning/Development Brief
Prepared by the Local Planning Authority to provide guidance of the favoured land use for a site to potential developers. It will set out land use opportunities, constraints and the standards which a particular development should meet.
Planning Obligation
A legal undertaking made by agreement between the Council and a developer or, unilaterally, by the developer for the purpose of restricting or regulating a development or use of land, usually made in connection with the granting of planning permission (see Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990).
Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs)
A series of Guidance Notes issued by Central Government which are statements of the Government’s Planning Policy. There is also a separate series of Guidance Notes dealing with Minerals Planning (MPGs).
Previously Developed Land
Annex C of PPG3 ‘Housing’ defines previously developed land as that which is or was occupied by a permanent structure (excluding agriculture or forestry buildings), and associated fixed surface infrastructure. The definition covers the curtilage of the development and may occur in both urban and rural settings. The definition includes defence buildings and land for mineral extraction and waste disposal where provision for restoration has not been made.
The definition excludes land and buildings that are currently in use for agricultural or forestry purposes and land in built up areas which has not been developed previously e.g. parks, recreation grounds and allotments). Also excluded is land that was previously developed but where the remains of any structure has blended into the landscape to the extent that it can be considered part of the natural surroundings and has nature conservation or amenity value.
Private Recreational Open Space
Privately-owned and/or managed outdoor area used for recreation, where use is restricted to certain groups and not available to the general public.
Private Sector
A sector of employment run by private individuals/ organisations as opposed to the Government-run public sector and the voluntary sector.
Regional Planning Guidance
Issued by the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. A statement of the overall planning aims for the region, to set the context within which individual local planning authorities prepare their development plans.
Renewable Energy
The term “renewable energy” covers those resources which occur and recur naturally in the environment. Such resources include heat from the earth or the sun, power from the wind and from water and energy from plant material and from the recycling of domestic, industrial or agricultural waste.
Renewal Areas
Introduced under the 1989 Housing & Local Government Act to replace Housing Action Areas and General Improvement Areas as the primary legislation for tackling housing, environmental, social and economic problems on an area basis.
Rochdale Development Agency (RDA)
A partnership between the public and private sectors to promote new business investment and property development throughout the Borough.
Rochdale Partnership / Local Strategic Partnership
Borough-wide partnership of organisations, agencies, businesses and community groups with responsibility for the preparation of the Community Plan and Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.
Service Sector
Non-manufacturing employment to include banking, finance, business services, hotels, catering and distribution.
Site of Biological Importance (SBI)
A protected area of ecological significance in terms of flora, fauna, geological or physical features and listed in a register produced on a county-wide basis (GM Districts). Sites are graded A, B or C, depending on their scientific significance.
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
A protected area identified by English Nature as being of national importance in terms of wildlife, flora, fauna, geological or physiological features.
Social Housing
Housing provided by a social landlord (usually a housing association), normally with public subsidy.
Street Furniture
Seats, hanging baskets, bins, bollards and other facilities used to enhance an area as part of an environmental improvement scheme.
Sui Generis
See ‘Use Classes Order’.
Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG)
Planning guidance issued by the Council from time to time, which supplements and interprets the policies and proposals of the plan itself. The purpose of such guidance is to offer positive assistance to those who are preparing to submit an application for planning permission as to how particular policies will be applied in practice, or how a range of policies are relevant and will be applied to, a specific site or area.
Sustainable Development
Defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development as “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations to meet its own needs”. The Government says that the planning system and development plans should ensure that development and growth are sustainable.
Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
An Order made by the Council which aims to protect trees and woodland areas of high amenity value which may be under threat. Consent is required from the Council to fell, lop or prune trees which are protected by the Order.
Unfit Housing
Housing which does not meet legislative standards for human habitation.
Unstable Land
Land which, by reason of geological conditions or man-made changes, is likely to be subject to movement or collapse, putting at risk development located on or near it.
Urban Fringe
That part of the countryside which lies closest to urban areas. Generally under most pressure for new development/change.
Use Classes Order
The Use Classes Order groups land uses into various categories known as “Use Classes”. When changing the use of land or premises to another which falls into the same group, planning permission is not generally required. A change to a use in a different 'use class' requires planning permission. There are some uses which do not fall into any category. These are known as ‘sui generis uses and include uses such as petrol stations, theatres and amusement arcades. As these are not classified within a broader category of uses, any change of use will require planning permission.
Waste Regulation Authority
The body responsible in Greater Manchester for licensing waste disposal facilities, ensuring that standards are enforced, registering waste carriers and providing a waste disposal plan to set the framework for disposal by both private and public sectors.
Windfall Site
A site not specifically allocated for development in the UDP but which becomes available for development or is granted planning permission during the lifetime of a plan.
Wind Power Developments
Sites consisting of groups of wind powered electricity generators. Also known as ‘Windfarms’.