Previous Chapter - Back to Contents - Back to Introduction

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

This glossary gives definitions of terms which appear in this document which may not be readily understood. It also includes other terms which are frequently used by the Local Planning Authority.

They are considered in alphabetical order:

Advertisements – As defined by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 “any word, letter, model, sign, placard, board, notice, device or representation, whether illuminated or not in the nature of, and employed wholly or partly for the purposes of advertisement, announcement or direction, and (without prejudice to the previous provisions of this definition) includes any hoardings or similar structure used, or adopted for use, for the display of advertisements”.

Affordable Housing – Housing accessible to people whose incomes are insufficient to enable them afford adequate housing, locally, on the open market. Includes rented or shared ownership housing provided by housing associations or Local Authorities and low cost homes for sale at discount.

Agriculture – Includes “horticulture, fruit growing, seed growing, dairy farming, the breeding and keeping of livestock (including any creature kept for the production of food, wool, skins or fur or for the purposes of its use in the farming land), the use as grazing land, meadow land, osier land, market gardens and nursery grounds and the use of land for woodlands where that use is ancillary to the farming of land for other agricultural purposes”. Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Section 336.

Agricultural Land Classification – Agricultural land classification maps are produced by the Ministry of Agriculture primarily for planning purposes. Land is graded according to the degree to which its physical characteristics impose long-term limitations on agricultural use.

Agricultural Permitted Development Rights – Certain types of development associated with agriculture, detailed in the General Development Order (GDO) are exempted from the requirement to obtain planning permission. These are known as “permitted development”.

Agricultural Worker’s Dwelling – A dwelling for use by an agricultural worker to enable him/her to live in the immediate vicinity of their place of work.

Allocated Land – Land which is defined in the Local Plan as being acceptable in principle for development for a particular purpose and which is not already in use for that purpose. The development of all such sites will be dependent on planning permission being obtained.

Allotments – An area of open land, usually in one ownership but divided up into separate plots, which are then rented by individuals. These people usually grow flowers, fruit and vegetables for their own consumption. Allotments are also sometimes referred to as “leisure gardens”.

Archaeological Evaluation – Research comprising a minimum of professional archaeological assessment and/or investigation needed to determine the extent and importance of archaeological remains whilst causing the minimum of damage to archaeological strata. May be limited to documentary research only.

Areas of Special County Value (ASCV’s) – Areas in the Country which are particularly important because of the quality of their landscape, ecology, archaeology or history, and which merit protection from development. ASCV’s are listed in Policy R2 of the Cheshire 2016 Structure Plan Alteration.

Areas of Significant Local Environmental Value – There are other similar areas, more important in a local context. These should also be protected to maintain the attractiveness of the Borough and prevent the merging of settlements.

Brownfield Site –– Land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure and associated fixed-surface infrastructure. The definition includes: -

The curtilage of the development
Defense buildings and land used for mineral extraction and waste disposal where provision for restoration has not been made through development control procedures

The definition excludes: -

Where the remains of any structure or activity have blended into the landscape.
Land and buildings that are currently used for agriculture or forestry purposes
Land in built-up areas that has not been developed but which may contain certain urban features

Business Park – Site with a high standard of development and landscaping, low density of development and accommodating a mixture of business uses (light industry, offices, research and development) storage and distribution.

Business Use – This is defined in Class B1 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (S11987 No 764) and includes use as an office other than a use within Class A2 (financial and professional services), for research and developments of products or processes or for any industrial processes being a use which can be carried out in any residential area without detriment to the amenity of that area by reason of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot, ash, dust or grit.

Caravan Sites – A static caravan site is a site which is occupied by caravans positioned there for some specific period or for the whole year. These sites can be for either recreational or residential purposes. The pitches are normally rented from a site owner.

A transit caravan site is a site which acts as a stopping point on or near a through route where mobile caravans can stay overnight. These sites are normally for recreational purposes only.

Committed Sites – Land which has an approved or past planning permission, an existing allocation, or which is presently under construction.

Conservation Areas – Areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Such areas are designated by Local Planning Authorities under the Town and Country Planning Acts.

Contaminated Land – Land which is polluted by noxious or toxic substances.

Controlled Brine Pumping – Controlled brine pumping involved the extraction of salt in solution by pumping and the formation of stable underground cavities at depth.

Derelict Land – Land so damaged by industrial or other development that it is incapable of beneficial use without treatment (Circular 68/65 MHLG).

This includes disused soil heaps, worked-out mineral excavations, abandoned industrial installations and land damaged by mining subsidence. It excludes land derelict from natural causes, land still in use and land with a planning permission containing conditions requiring after-treatment.

Development – Defined in Section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as:

“The carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, or, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any buildings or other land”.

Development Brief – A document, approved by the Council, relating to specific site setting out principles on how a site should be developed for a particular use or uses. The document also acts as the basis for the consideration of any planning applications which may subsequently be submitted in respect of the site.

Economic Development Service – Vale Royal Borough Council offers an Economic Development Service to industrialists who wish to locate in Vale Royal. The service includes: preparation of full or sketch schemes to the client’s instructions; supervision of the contact during the execution of the work and financial assistance. Further information about this service can be obtained from The Economic Development Officer, Vale Royal Borough Council, Wyvern House, The Drumber, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 1AH (Tel: 01606 867525).

Employment Areas – Areas which are intended to cater for employment uses including general and light industry, offices and other commercial services and wholesale warehousing.

Employment Sector

Primary – Those industries involved in the production of basic materials, e.g. agriculture, forestry, mining and quarrying.

Manufacturing – Those industries involved in the processing of raw materials to produce goods, e.g. Food Processing, Engineering, Textiles, Printing.

Services – Those industries providing a service, e.g. Transport, Wholesale and Retail Distribution, Public Administration.

Environmental Improvement – Landscaping and other measures taken to improve the appearance and character of an area.

Farm Shops – An ancillary retail use on an existing agricultural holding using existing buildings on the holding and selling farm produce (fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy produce) of which at least 75% should originate from the holding.

General Permitted Development Order – Sets out those categories of development which may be carried out without the need to apply for planning permission i.e. ‘permitted development’. The Local Authority can seek to make a legal direction requiring planning permission to be obtained for development that would normally be permitted by the Order. Such a direction is known as an Article Four direction.

Greenfield Site – Land on which no development has previously taken place unless: -

The previous development is for agricultural or forestry purpose
The remains of any structure or activity have blended into the landscape.

Green Belt – Area of land, largely rural in character, which is adjacent to the main urban areas and which is protected from development by permanent and severe restrictions on building. The emphasis is on restricting the sprawl of urban centers, preventing the coalescence of neighbouring towns and preserving the individual character of settlements, although Green Belts may also provide suitable locations for recreational development and act as a buffer between the most rural countryside and the pressure of growing towns.

Greenways – Multi-recreational routes

Gypsies – Persons of nomadic habit of life, whatever their race or origin. (This does not include members of a group or organized traveling show people or circus people).

Hazardous Industry – An industry or related installation which because of the nature of its process or the raw materials used present a potential threat to the safety of employees or the general public. It will have been certified a hazard by the Health and Safety Executive.

Health and Safety Executive – A body set up under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act, responsible for safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of workers and the public, as well as providing an advisory service to local planning authorities on hazards and risk assessment.

Highways Agency – An executive agency of the Department for Transport responsible for the management and maintenance of the motorway and trunk road network in England.

Housing Land Supply – The number of additional dwellings becoming available, either under construction or on land with planning permissions, or allocated within a Local Plan.

Housing Needs – as defined in Government guidance (Local Housing Needs Assessment: A Guide to Good Practice, July 2000) refers to households lacking their own housing or living in housing which is inadequate or unsuitable, who are unlikely to be able to meet their needs in the housing market without some assistance.

Infrastructure – When referring to a particular site it is the system of communications and services, i.e. water supply, electricity, gas, drainage required before new development can begin. When referring to a wider area the term includes the provision of more general services such as schools, shops and public transport.

In-migration – People moving into Vale Royal to live from outside the Borough.

Inset Villages – Villages enclosed by, but not ‘washed over’ by a Green Belt. The policies which apply within these villages are not necessarily as restrictive as those which apply to the surrounding Green Belt.

Washed-Over Village – a village wholly contained within the Green Belt within which Green belt policies apply.

Intensive Livestock Units – Units (buildings and associated works) for which specific planning permission is required, in which pigs, poultry or cattle are raised permanently indoors and also those in which they are housed indoors for only part of the time if a slurry system is to be adopted.

The definition is provided solely to assist in the interpretation and operation of the policy and should not be used for any other purpose, e.g. Determination of whether or not the proposal requires planning permission.

Joint Use – Purpose-built centres provided as part of schools or colleges, designed for use by both pupils and members of the public.

Listed Building – A building included in a list compiled by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as being of special architectural or historic interest.

Local Needs – Referring to housing, means homes required for those who live in an area (and require separate accommodation), work in an area, or have longstanding links with an area. (See also Housing Needs Definition)

Local Plan – Any plan proposed or adopted by a Local Planning Authority for part or all of the area of a Structure Plan. A Local Plan may be adopted in advance of the approval of the relevant Structure Plan. Most Local Plans are prepared by District Councils and are detailed plans for land use, transport or environmental matters. They have four main functions:

(a) to interpret and apply the broad strategy set out in the Structure Plan;

(b) to provide a detailed basis for development control;

(d) to bring local and detailed planning issues before the public.

The County Council may also prepare Local Plans, dealing with one or more, but not all planning matters in a Structure Plan area, or in part of a Structure Plan area. Examples are Subject Plans for a Green Belt, Minerals or Waste Disposal.

Low Cost Housing – New housing available to those who would otherwise not have access to it. There will be a form of discounted sale price, or will be for rent or in shared ownership, usually provided by a Local Housing Authority or Housing Association with a subsidy from either the Local Authority or Housing Corporation.

Mersey Basin Estuary Zone – The Estuary Zone extends from Woolston Eyes upstream of Warrington to several miles offshore into Liverpool bay (to the jurisdiction of the maritime authorities), including the dredging deposit grounds in Liverpool Bay. The Mersey Estuary Zone overlaps with the Dee Estuary Strategy Zone to the west and the Ribble Estuary Zone to the north. The Estuary Zone also includes land related to or influenced by the water.

Mersey Community Forest – The Mersey Forest is one of 12 community forests being established throughout England. The proposed community forests will cover large areas on the edge of the towns and cities, filtering into urban areas where possible to create well-wooded landscapes. The Mersey Community Forest is an initiative being funded and coordinated by the nine Local Authorities in the Mersey Basin area in partnership with the Countryside Commission and Forestry Commission. A Forest Plan has been produced in consultation with landowners, farmers and local communities which sets out a plan of action to implement the Mersey Forest.

Monitoring – Continuous survey aimed at discovering and measuring significant deviations from a plan of its underlying assumptions.

Natural Brine Pumping – Natural brine pumping involves the pumping of ground water which has been in contact with salt beds and so contains salt in solution. Because natural brine pumping accelerates solution it can cause subsidence.

Nature Conservation – The planning and management of wildlife and habitats so as to secure their wide use and continuity of supply while maintaining and enhancing their quality, value and diversity.

Non-Conforming Use – The use of a piece of land or buildings which is considered not to be appropriate because of the existing, general character/use of the area.

Office – Office now falls within Classes A2 and B1 in Class 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (S1 1987 No 764) and includes a bank and premises occupied by an estate agent, building society or professional services and other offices for research and development, studios and laboratories.

Open Countryside – The rural area outside the settlement policy boundaries for towns and villages shown on the Proposals Map.

Open Space

Formal: This comprises a variety of uses including playing fields, bowling greens, golf courses, cricket pitches, tennis courts, equipped children’s play areas, parks etc.

Informal: These are areas which fulfill a recreational/amenity function but which do not have a specific use, hence the term ‘informal’ open space. They include areas of open space within housing estates which can be used for informal children’s play, kick about areas, dog walking areas etc. All of these areas may be in either private or public ownership.

Ownership Constraint – Where the ownership of a site prevents or delays its development. Examples are where the site is in several different ownerships or where the owner is unwilling to sell or develop the site, or part of the site.

Pedestrianisation – The prohibition of traffic from a part of the highway network and the change of its use to that solely by pedestrians. Partially pedestrianised areas may accommodate service vehicles or even buses.

Permitted Development – Specific various classes of development which may be undertaken upon land without the permission of the local planning authority or the Secretary of State. There are 33 ‘parts’, each part may itself include a number of classes of development, for example:

Part 3 - Changes Of Use.

Part 6 - Agricultural Buildings and Operations.

Part 32 - Schools, Colleges, Universities and Hospitals.

The full list of parts can be obtained by reference to the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order (1995).

Phasing – The gradual release of land over a period of time to avoid over-provision.

Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) – A note issued by the Department of the Environment which is the Government statement of planning policy on a particular subject. Guidance notes are material considerations which must be taken into account in preparing development plans and determining planning applications.

Planning Policy Statement (PPS) – A reviewed note issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which is the Government statement of planning policy on a particular subject. These guidance notes are material considerations which must be taken into account in preparing development plans / LDF’s (Local Development Frameworks) and determining planning applications.

Policy Boundary – The boundary of an area or settlement within which specific land use policies apply.

Primary Shopping Area – The main area of continuous retail frontage in each town centre with a predominance of shops trading in durable goods and where changes of use on shopping frontages from retail to non-retail uses will be strictly controlled.

Private Residential Homes – Fall within use class C2 of the use classes order 1987 (as amended). Small residential care homes or nursing homes have paid staff who do not live with the residents as a single household, therefore they fall within this use class regardless of size.

Ramsar Sites – Areas of wetland which are of international importance and have been identified by English Nature and designated by the Secretary of State. All listed Ramsar sites are also Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Reclamation – The treatment of derelict land to bring it into a condition suitable for development. This work can include the removal of unwanted buildings and works and usually involves landscape improvements.

Redevelopment – Development that takes place after the demolition of existing buildings.

Retail Warehouse – A large single storey store (from 1,000 sq m upwards, but usually about 2,000 sq m) selling non food household goods such as carpets and also DIY goods, which generally cater for car borne customers.

Scheduled Ancient Monument – Sites judged by criteria to be of national importance. Many ancient monuments are of regional or local importance. The Council should strive to secure the preservation of all important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not scheduled. English Heritage are currently undertaking a “Monument Protection Programme” which aims to increase the number of sites particularly of the industrial periods.

Serviced Land – Land on or under which the great majority of services required for its probable development have already been provided. Services include sewers, water and power supplies. If a road, sewerage or other system of services has been designed to allow for the ultimate development of a piece of land, but no services have been provided on or under that land, it is not regarded as serviced land.

Short-live Materials – Timber, asbestos, corrugated iron and felt tiles for roofing when used as building materials.

Show People – Not included within the definition of gypsies, show people are self-employed and travel the country holding fairs, mainly during the summer months.

Sites and Monument Record – A database which aims to record all archaeological sites and find spots within Cheshire. This record is maintained by Cheshire County Council.

Sites of Biological Importance – Identified as important sites for wildlife in the County. Sites are graded A, B or C according to (i) planning criteria, (ii) habitat types and their rarity and (iii) species diversity and their rarity and are of County, district or local importance respectively.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest – An area of land identified and designated by English Nature as being of special national interest by reason of any of its flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features.

Social Housing – Housing for rent by people on low incomes.

Staircasing – The attainment of, or incremental progression towards, full ownership by the occupier of a dwelling initially occupied under the terms of a shared equity scheme.

Structure Plan – Structure Plans are plans prepared by the County Planning Authority. The Structure Plan provides a strategic framework for Local Plans and Development Control. It sets out:

(a) policies and proposals for the scale of provision to be made in the plan area as a whole;

(b) the general location of major individual developments likely to have a significant effect on the area; and

In so doing, it takes account of national and regional policies as they affect the physical and environmental planning of the area concerned. It does not deal with individual properties or show the precise boundaries of areas where particular policies are to apply.

Structure Planting – Usually new planting in advance of development to be incorporated into or form the basis of a landscaping scheme for any future development.

Supermarket – Single level self service store selling mainly food with a trading floorspace less than 2,500 sq m.

Superstore – A single level self service store selling mainly food with a trading area of usually more than 2,500 sq m trading floorspace.

Sustainable Development – Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Traffic Calming – Physical measures which slow down traffic to make areas safer to pedestrians and cyclists.

Traffic Management – The promotion of the more efficient movement of traffic and appropriate use of street systems by rearranging the flows, controlling the intersections and regulating the times and places for parking by means of traffic orders. Traffic management can give priority to different forms of transport, such as buses, or to pedestrians.

Tree Preservation Order (TPO) – An Order made by the Local Planning Authority to prohibit the felling, lopping or willful destruction of a single tree, group of trees or a substantial woodland specified in the Order without the prior consent of the Local Planning Authority.

Trunk Road – Major roads for which the Department of Transport is the Highway Authority and for which construction and maintenance are funded by Central Government.

Underused Land – Land which is not used for any productive purpose for long periods of time.

Use Classes Order – The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (S.1. 1987 No 764) specifies eighteen use classes. Generally where a change of use of buildings or land falls within the same use class, then development is not involved. A material change of use from one Class to another involves development and will normally require planning permission.

Village – A group of houses in a predominantly rural area with some services (such as a shop, post office or public house) and where there exists a sense of community.

Warehousing – A building used primarily for the storage of goods.

Warehousing – Wholesale: A building in which goods are stored prior to their distribution and sale elsewhere. Sales which take place on such premises must be ancillary to the use of the building as a warehouse. In this context, ‘wholesale’ is taken to mean selling, generally in bulk to retailers, manufacturers, professional builders and the like.

Warehouse Club – An out of town business specializing in bulk sales of reduced priced goods. Access to the premises may be limited to certain businesses and organizations.

Wildlife Corridor – A tract of land following a common feature (e.g. river, valley, road) designated for its local ecological value in the Borough, in order to conserve the natural habitats and the wildlife they support.

Windfall Sites – Windfall sites are those which have not been specifically identified as available in the local plan process. They comprise previously developed sites that have unexpectedly become available. These could include, for example, large sites such as might result from a factory closure or very small changes to the built environment, such as residential conversion.

Previous Chapter - Back to Contents - Back to Introduction