Glossary | South Tyneside

Planning

Planning policy and proposals

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Z

About the glossary

Accessibility: The ability of everybody to conveniently go where they want.
Adoption: The final confirmation of a development plan or Local Development Document as having statutory status by a Local Planning Authority (LPA).
Aerobic Digestion: Biological treatment of biodegradable organic waste in the presence of oxygen, producing a residue suitable for use as a soil improver.
Affordable Housing (or sub-market housing): Housing provided at a cost considered affordable in relation to average incomes or the price of general market housing. Sometimes considered as falling into two subcategories: "social housing" - where rent levels are set in line with the Governments rent influencing regime; and "intermediate housing" - a mix of low cost home ownership products (for example shared ownership) and other reduced cost rental products primarily in the form of key worker housing.
Aftercare (in terms of minerals operations): The steps to be taken to bring land to the required standard for use for its chosen after use.
Aggregates: Sand, gravel, crushed rock and other bulk materials used by the construction industry.
Agricultural (Forestry or Other Rural Occupational) Dwelling: A dwelling which is subject to a condition or legal agreement that it shall only be occupied by someone who is employed, or was last employed, in agriculture, forestry or other appropriate rural employment.
Agricultural waste: Waste arising from a farm or market garden, consisting of matter such as manure, slurry and crop residues.
Air Quality Management Strategy (AQMS): A designation made by a local authority where an assessment of air quality results in the need to devise an action plan to improve the quality of air.
Alteration: A partial review of a development plan.
Amenity: A positive element or elements that contribute to the overall character of an area, for example open land, trees, historic buildings and how they relate to each other.
Amenity green-space: Amenity green-space can provide opportunities for informal activities such as sports, and can serve other purposes such as reducing the noise from a busy road or providing shelter from prevailing winds (by providing a buffer).
Anaerobic Digestion: Organic matter broken down by bacteria in the absence of air, producing a gas (methane) and solid (digestate). The by-products can be useful, for example biogas can be used in a furnace, gas engine, turbine or gas-powered vehicles, and digestates can be reused on farms as a fertiliser.
Ancient Woodland: Woodland that is believed to have existed from at least medieval times without use other than timber production.
Ancillary Use / Operations: A subsidiary or secondary use or operation connected to the main use of a building or piece of land.
Annual Monitoring Report (AMR): A report submitted to Government by local planning authorities or regional planning bodies assessing Local Development Framework or Regional Spatial Strategy production progress and policy effectiveness.
Appeal: The process whereby a planning applicant can challenge an adverse decision, including a refusal of permission. Appeals can also be made against the failure of the planning authority to issue a decision, against conditions attached to permission, and against the issue of an enforcement notice.
Apportionment (amount of minerals needed): The splitting of regional supply guidelines for minerals demand between planning authorities or sub regions.
Aquifers: The special underground rock layers that hold groundwater, which are often an important source of water for public water supply, agriculture and industry.
Archaeological Assessment / Evaluation: Rapid and inexpensive operation involving ground survey and small-scale trial trenching carried out by professionally qualified archaeologist(s) looking for historical remains.
Archaeological Reserve: A non-statutory designation for protecting archaeological remains.
Area Action Plan: A type of Development Plan Document focused upon a specific location or an area subject to conservation or significant change (for example major regeneration).
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB): An area with statutory national landscape designation, the primary purpose of which is to conserve and enhance natural beauty. Together with National Parks, they represent the finest landscapes.
Area of Search: A broad area within which some development may be acceptable, subject to detailed consideration. For example, housing, mineral extraction, or renewable energy.
Article 14 Direction: A 'holding' direction (often a letter) made by Government saying that a local planning authority cannot grant planning permission until further notice.
Article 4 Direction: Direction removing some or all permitted development rights, for example within a conservation area or curtilage of a listed building.

Best Available Techniques (BAT): In terms of assessing the potential effects of pollution, a system that aims to balance the costs to the operator against the benefits to the environment.
Back-land development: Development of sites, such as rear gardens and private open space, usually within predominantly residential areas. Such sites often have no natural street frontages.
Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land: Land identified by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as falling within classification grades 1, 2 or 3a, based on the physical characteristics of the land and the limits these impose upon its agricultural uses.
Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO): There are many different ways of dealing with waste, and the BPEO is basically the waste management option that provides the most benefit or least damage to the environment as a whole, at an acceptable cost, in both the short and long term. For example, recycling versus landfill.
Best Value: The way an authority measures, manages and improves its performance with regard to Government targets.
Biodegradable waste: Waste that is capable of breaking down, such as food, garden waste and paper.
Biodiversity: The whole variety of life encompassing all genetics, species and ecosystem variations, including plans and animals.
Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP): A strategy prepared for a local area aimed at conserving biological diversity.
Biological Treatment: Any biodegradable (breaking down) process that changes the properties of waste, such as anaerobic digestion and composting.
Biomass: Living matter within an environmental area, for example plant material, vegetation, or agricultural waste used as a fuel or energy source.
Blight: In general terms, blight is the depressing effect on property caused by potential development proposals, for example where a development plan allocates land for public use such as a new road.
Borrow Pit: A temporary mineral working to supply material for a specific construction project.
Breach of Conditions Notice: A notice served by a local planning authority where they suspect that a planning condition linked to a planning permission has been breached.
Brief / Planning Brief: A planning brief can include site-specific development briefs, design briefs, development frameworks and master plans that seek to positively shape future development.
Bring systems / Sites
(public recycling facilities): Recycling schemes where the public deliver their recyclables to a central collection point, such as those in supermarket car parks for bottles and cans.
Broadband: A range of internet connection speeds being faster than 'dial up'. Its availability can help to encourage development.
Brownfield Land and Sites: See 'Previously-Developed Land'.
Building: The term building refers to the whole or any part of any structure or erection. It does not include plant or machinery comprised in a building.
Building Preservation Notice: A notice applying to a building all the protection afforded to Listed Buildings, during which time the Secretary of State will consider whether the building should be granted Listed Building status. The building should be of special historic or architectural interest and be in danger of demolition or alteration harmful to the character of the building.
Bulky Goods: Goods of a large physical nature (for example DIY, furniture, carpets) that sometimes require large areas for storage or display.
Bund: An artificial embankment formed from natural material, used to either screen a site from view, or reduce noise emissions.
Business Improvement Districts (BID): Designated town centre management (and sometimes other areas) where businesses agree to pay additional rents to fund improvements to the general retail environment.
Business Planning Zone (BPZ): BPZs are an emerging spatial planning designation offering a simplified planning regime whereby 'low-impact' development conforming to a scheme setting out acceptable use classes and general design parameters might not require planning permission.

CABE: Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. A public body acting as a champion of good design.
'Call-in' or Called-in Planning Application: The Deputy Prime Minister can "call in" certain planning applications that local authorities propose to approve. For example, where it may have wider effects beyond the immediate locality, significant regional or national controversy, or potential conflict with national policy. These will then be subject to a public inquiry presided over by a Planning Inspector who will make recommendation to the Deputy Prime Minister who will decide the application instead of the local planning authority.
Capacity (in retailing terms): Money available within the catchment area with which to support existing and additional retail floorspace.
Catchment (in retailing terms): An area, often considered within easy walking or driving distance, in which people are happy travelling to shops.
Certificate of Immunity from Listing: Certificate granting immunity from listing or issuance of a Building Preservation Notice for a period of five years. Only granted when planning permission has been granted or is being sought for a development.
Change of Use: A change in the way that land or buildings are used (see Use Classes Order). Planning permission is usually necessary in order to change a "use class".
Character: A term relating to Conservation Areas or Listed Buildings, but also to the appearance of any rural or urban location in terms of its landscape or the layout of streets and open spaces, often giving places their own distinct identity.
Chief Planning Officer: The lead planning officer at a local authority.
Circular: A Government publication setting out policy approaches.
City Centre: The highest order centre, often a regional or sub-regional retailing and service centre, serving a wide catchment.
City Region: A functionally inter-related geographical area comprising a central, or Core City, as part of a network of urban centres and rural hinterlands. A little bit like the hub (city) and the spokes (surrounding urban/rural areas) on a bicycle wheel.
Claw-back (a retailing term): The ability of a new retail store to 'claw-back' trade or customers that may otherwise travel further afield.
Climate Change: Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, wind and all other aspects of the Earth's climate. Often regarded as a result of human activity and fossil fuel consumption.
Clusters (a term used in economic regeneration): Networks of specialised creative, industrial or high-tech businesses concentrated within a particular location, whose co-location may enhance their competitive advantage.
Coalescence: The merging or coming together of separate towns or villages to form a whole entity.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP): The combined production of heat, usually in the form of steam, and power, usually in the form of electricity.
Commercial Waste: Controlled waste arising from premises used wholly or mainly for trade, sport, recreation or entertainment.
Commitments (or committed development): All land with current planning permission or allocated in adopted development.
Committee: At a planning authority, a committee of locally elected Councillors that makes decisions upon planning matters.
Community Forest: A large area of land transformed into a wooded landscape by a partnership of local authorities, national agencies and private, voluntary and community organisations to support employment, recreation, education and wildlife. (E.g. The Great North Forest)
Community Strategy: A strategy prepared by local authorities to help deliver local community aspirations, under the Local Government Act 2000.
Comparison Shopping: The provision of retail items not obtained on a frequent basis, for example televisions and white goods.
Composting: The process that converts biodegradable material such as garden or kitchen waste, in the presence of oxygen (aerobic) into a stable material that can be used as a soil improver. Composting can be done at different scales, from home composting to a large centralised facility.
Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO): An order issued by the Government or a local authority to acquire land or buildings for public interest purposes. For example the redevelopment of certain brownfield sites.
Conditions (or 'planning condition'): Requirements attached to a planning permission to limit or direct the manner in which a development is carried out.
Conservation Area: Areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character, appearance or setting of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.
Conservation Area Character Appraisal: A published document defining the special architectural or historic interest that warranted the area being designated.
Conservation Area Consent: Consent required for the demolition of an unlisted building within a conservation area.
Construction and Demolition Waste: Controlled waste arising from the construction, repair, maintenance and demolition of buildings and structures.
Contaminated Land: Land designated under Part IIA of the Environment Act that has been polluted or harmed in some way making it unfit for safe development and usage unless cleaned.
Controlled waste: Waste that requires a licence for its treatment or disposal.
Conurbation: A large densely populated urban area formed by the growth and coalescence of individual towns or cities.
Convenience Shopping: The provision of everyday essential items, such as food.
Conversions: Generally means the change of use of a building from a particular use, classified in the use classes order, to another use. Can also mean the sub-division of residential properties into self-contained flats or maisonettes.
Core and Feeder Public Transport Network: A network of bus routes serving major destinations/corridors often having standards for frequencies, times of operation, vehicle quality, levels of bus priority and passenger information. Feeder networks link into the core networks.
Core strategy: A Development Plan Development setting out the spatial vision and objectives of the planning framework for an area, having regard to the Community Strategy (see also DPDs).
Cost-Benefit Analysis: An assessment method that is sometimes used to consider the benefits and costs of a development proposal, such as a major infrastructure project.
Countryside Agency: The organisation responsible for advising Government and taking action on issues affecting the social, economic and environmental well being of the English countryside.
Countryside Character Areas: Areas of distinctive landscape, wildlife and natural features as defined by the Countryside Agency.
County Archaeologist: An officer within a County Council responsible for maintaining and compiling Sites and Ancient Monuments Records on behalf of English Heritage, and advising on development affecting archaeological remains.
County Council: A 'higher tier' local authority providing strategic planning functions in non-unitary local authority areas.
Crushed Rock: Hard types of rock, which have been quarried, fragmented and graded for use as aggregate.
Cultural Strategy: A Cultural Strategy aims to "promote the cultural well-being" of the area it covers.
Culture: Culture includes arts, media, sports, libraries, museums, parks, and the countryside, built heritage, tourism, and the creative industries.
Cumulative Impact: A number of developments in a locality or a continuous activity over time that together may have an increased impact on the environment, local community or economy.
Curtilage: The area normally within the boundaries of a property surrounding the main building.
Cycle Network: An integrated network of both on and off road routes to facilitate an easier and safer journey for cyclists.

Delegated Powers: A power conferred to designated planning officers by locally elected Councillors so that officers may take decisions on behalf of the Council upon specified planning matters.
Demand Responsive Transport: A local transport service tailored to passenger needs, operating not unlike a taxi service. Usually provided where there are infrequent bus services, such as rural areas.
Density: In the case of residential development, a measurement of either the number of habitable rooms per hectare or the number of dwellings per hectare.
Departure: A proposed development that is not in accordance with the adopted local development plan.
Deposit: A term describing the statutory consultation period for plans being progressed under transitional arrangements.
Design guide: A document providing guidance on how development can be carried out in accordance with the design policies of a local authority or other organisation often with a view to retaining local distinctiveness.
Design statement: A design statement can be made at a pre-planning application stage by a developer, indicating the design principles upon which a proposal is to be based. It may also be submitted in support of a planning application.
Detailed Application / Full application: A planning application seeking full permission for a development proposal with no matters reserved for later approval.
Determination: Local planning authority process to decide whether a proposed development requires planning permission.
Development: Development is defined under the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act as "the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operation in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any building or other land." Most forms of development require planning permission (see also "permitted development").
Development Control & Development Management: The process whereby a local planning authority manages, shapes, and considers the merits of a planning application and whether it should be given permission.
Development Limits: Development limits identify the area within which development proposals would be acceptable, subject to complying with other policies contained in the Development Plan. They seek to prevent development from gradually extending into the surrounding countryside.
Development Plan: A document setting out the local planning authority's policies and proposals for the development and use of land and buildings in the authority's area. It includes Unitary, Structure, and Local Plans prepared under transitional arrangements, and new Regional Spatial Strategies and Development Plan Documents prepared under the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act of 2004.
Development Plan Documents (DPDs): Local Development Documents that have development plan status. Once adopted, development control decisions must be made in accordance with them unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The DPDs which local planning authorities must prepare, include the core strategy, site-specific allocations of land and, where needed, area action plans. There will also be a proposals map, which illustrates the spatial extent of policies that must be prepared and maintained to accompany all DPDs. All DPDs must be subject to rigorous procedures of community involvement, consultation and independent examination, and adopted after receipt of the inspector's binding report.
Disabled Access: The ability of disabled people (as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) to conveniently go where they want.
Distributor road: Roads that distribute traffic and bus services within the main residential, commercial and industrial built-up areas.
District Centres: Usually comprising groups of shops and some services, separate from the town centre, but with more variety than local centres. Can include suburban centres.
Dormant Site: A site with planning permission on which mineral operations has now ceased.

Ecclesiastical Exemption: Ecclesiastical buildings (for example some churches) that are being used for ecclesiastical purposes are exempt from listed building and conservation area controls.
Edge-of-Centre: A location that is within easy walking distance (often considered 200-300 metres) of the primary shopping area.
E-government / E-planning: Initiatives helping local authorities provide planning services 'on-line' and accessible via the internet and email, for example, the Planning Portal website.
Elevation: The actual facade (or face) of a building, or a plan showing the drawing of a facade.
Employment Land Availability (ELA): The total amount of land reserved for industrial and business use awaiting development.
Energy Crops: A 'carbon neutral' energy source contributing to renewable energy. For example, short rotation coppice or willow plantation uses carbon dioxide to grow plants. Crops may then be burned to create energy - hence carbon neutral.
Energy from Waste: The conversion of waste into a useable form of energy, often heat or electricity.
Enforcement Action / Enforcement Notice: Procedures by a local planning authority to ensure that the terms and conditions of a planning decision are carried out, or that development carried out without planning permission is brought under control.
English Heritage: Government body with responsibility for all aspects of protecting and promoting the historic environment.
English Nature: Government advisors on nature conservation in England.
Enterprise Area: A policy toolkit, being proposed under planning reform. Designed to focus and co-ordinate measures targeted on or to help businesses and job creation in deprived areas (see Index of Multiple Deprivation).
Enterprise Zone: An area where Central Government aided by Local Government wishes to stimulate development to generate inward investment. It grants automatic planning permission for such development or class of development subject to conditions, limitations, as may be specified in a scheme.
Environment Agency: A governmental body that aims to prevent or minimise the effects of pollution on the environment and issues permits to monitor and control activities that handle or produce waste. It also provides up to date information on waste arising and deals with other matters such as water issues including flood protection advice.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Environmental Statement (EA): Applicants for certain types of development are required to submit an "environmental statement" accompanying a planning application. This evaluates the likely environmental impacts of the development, together with an assessment of how the severity of the impacts could be reduced.
Established need (in minerals terms): A need for a mineral when assessed against existing permitted reserves of suitable material, taking into account any apportionment and other appropriate policy guidance.
European Marine Sites (EMS): Sites of European importance for nature conservation based upon sub-tidal and/or inter-tidal areas. In the UK they include areas designated under the European Union Habitats Directive, EU Birds Directive and Ramsar sites.
European Union Structural Funds: The European Union (EU) provides Structural Funds for supporting social and economic restructuring across the Union. They account for over a third of the European Union budget. Structural funds are delivered through agreed operational spending programmes and strategies. These comprise the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund (EAGGF).
: European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP); Policy document based on the EU aim of achieving balanced and sustainable development, in particular by strengthening economic and social cohesion. It is legally non-binding and has a policy framework aimed at better co-operation between community sectoral policies with significant impacts, and between member states, their regions and cities. National spatial development policies of the member states and sectoral policies of the EU require clear spatial development guidelines that transcend national boundaries. They are provided by the ESDP.
Evidence Base: The information and data gathered by local authorities to justify the "soundness" of the policy approach set out in Local Development Documents, including physical, economic, and social characteristics of an area.
Examination in Public (EIP): A term given to the examination of Regional Spatial Strategies and (under transitional arrangements) Structure Plans.

Factory Outlet Centre: Groups of shops often specialising in selling seconds and end-of-line goods at discounted prices.
Fascia: Part of the face or elevation of a building, where the shop or occupier's name is usually displayed.
First Secretary Of State: The lead Minister for all policies relating to Town & Country Planning, having powers of intervention on Development Plans and Planning Casework under certain circumstances.
Flight path: The route taken by aircraft between destinations.
Flood plain: Generally flat-lying areas adjacent to a watercourse, tidal lengths of a river or the sea where water flows in times of flood or would flow but for the presence of flood defences.
Flood Risk Assessment: An assessment of the likelihood of flooding in a particular area so that development needs and mitigation measures can be carefully considered.
Fly tipping: The illegal disposal of waste on land.
Footfall / Pedestrian Flow: The numbers and movements of people to provide a health indicator of shopping centres, whilst also informing potential businesses of the likely level of passing trade.
Fossil Fuels (a non-renewable fuel): Carbon-rich fuel (coal, oil and natural gas) formed from the remains of ancient animals and plants. Their combustion is considered to contribute to the 'greenhouse effect'.
Front-loading: Community involvement in the production of Local Development Documents to gain public input and seek consensus from the earliest opportunity.
Full Application: See 'Detailed application'.

Gasification and Pyrolysis (Advanced Thermal Treatment)

A means of recovering energy from waste, known as advanced thermal treatment. Waste is heated at high temperatures and a useable gas is produced.

General Conformity

A process by which Regional Planning Bodies consider whether a Development Plan Document is in "general conformity" with the Regional Spatial Strategy. Also, all other DPDs must conform to a Core Strategy DPD.

General Permitted Development Order (GPDO)

A Government policy order outlining that certain limited or minor forms of development may proceed without the need to make an application for planning permission.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A computer based system whereby mapping and information are linked for a variety of uses, such as justifying Local Development Documents.

Geothermal Technology

Technology related to the transfer of energy from heat inside the Earth, usually carried to the surface by superheated water and steam.

Government Offices (GOs)

Representatives of central Government in the regions, bringing together the work of ten government departments.

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 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; and
assist urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

Green corridor / wildlife corridor

Green corridors can link housing areas to the national cycle network, town and city centres, places of employment and community facilities. They help to promote environmentally sustainable forms of transport such as walking and cycling within urban areas and can also act as vital linkages for wildlife dispersal between urban green spaces 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 merging of adjacent places and can also provide recreational opportunities.

Greenfield Land or Site

Land (or a defined site) which has never been built on before or where the remains of any structure or activity have blended into the landscape over time.

Greenhouse Effect / Global Warming

The gradual heating of the Earth due to greenhouse gases, leading to climate change and rising sea levels. Renewable energy, energy efficient buildings and sustainable travel are examples of ways to help reduce the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse Gases

Naturally occurring examples include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. Some human activities increase these gases, including fossil fuel combustion within motor vehicles and some power stations.

Groundwater

An important part of the natural water cycle present underground, within strata known as aquifers.

Guided Buses / segregated bus route

Buses for which travel direction is controlled automatically by electronic or kerb guidance along a defined route.

Habitable rooms: Any room used or intended to be used for sleeping, cooking, living or eating purposes. Enclosed spaces such as bath or toilet; facilities, service rooms, corridors, laundries, hallways, utility rooms or similar spaces are excluded from this definition.
Habitat: The characteristic natural home or locality of a group of plants and animals.
Hard Rock: Consolidated rock such as limestone and granite.
Hazardous Waste: Wastes that have the potential to cause harm to human health or the environment.
Health Check (in terms of shopping areas): A survey of factors indicating the 'health' of a town centre or other shopping area. For example, the quality of the environment, retail sales, or amount of customers.
Heavy Rail: Traditional rail using fixed rail networks and standard rolling stock.
Heritage Coast: An area identified to focus attention on managing the best stretches of undeveloped coast, where the needs of conservation, pressures of recreation and problems of pollution need to be considered in a co-ordinated way.
High Court Challenge: A procedure whereby an applicant may challenge a planning decision or a notice of intention to adopt a development plan via the High Court. (However, other appeals procedures may apply first and prior legal advice is advisable).
High demand housing areas: Locations with a high demand for housing resulting in expensive pricing and rents making it difficult to enter the housing market. For example some rural locations, commuter areas, and many locations in southern England.
Historic Battlefield: Areas of historic interest where important battles are sufficiently documented to be located on the ground. Designated by English Heritage.
Historic Parks and Gardens: A park or garden of special historic interest. Graded I (highest quality), II* or II. Designated by English Heritage.
Household Waste: Refuse from household collection rounds, waste from street sweepings, public litter bins, bulky items collected from households and wastes which householders themselves take to household waste recovery centres and "bring sites".
Household Waste Recovery Centres / Civic Amenity Sites: A facility provided by the Waste Disposal Authority that is available to the public to deposit waste which cannot be collected by the normal household waste collection round.
Housing Land Availability (HLA): The total amount of land reserved for residential use awaiting development.
Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders: Sub-regional projects to tackle low demand and abandonment, administered by a group of local authorities working in partnership and in receipt of funding from the Housing Market Renewal Fund. For example, "Bridging NewcastleGateshead" is developing strategies and actions to restore neighbourhoods as attractive places to live.
Housing Market Restructuring / Renewal (HMR): Process of arranging public sector intervention (in partnership with others) to sustain areas in which housing market failure (or low demand housing) is evident.
Human Rights Act: The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporated provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into UK law. The general purpose of the ECHR is to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to maintain and promote the ideals and values of a democratic society. It sets out the basic rights of every person together with the limitations placed on these rights in order to protect the rights of others and of the wider community. The specific Articles of the ECHR relevant to planning include Article 6; (Right to a fair and public hearing), Article 8 (Right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence), Article 14; (Prohibition of discrimination) and Article 1 of Protocol 1 (Right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions and protection of property).

Incineration: The controlled burning of waste. Energy may also be recovered in the form of heat (see Energy from Waste).
Independent Examination: The process by which an Independent Planning Inspector may publicly examine a 'Development Plan Document' or a 'Statement of Community Involvement', and any representations, before issuing a binding report.
Independent Retailer: A non-multiple retailer operating separately and outside of a larger company chain.
Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD): A ward level index currently made up from six indicators (income; employment; health deprivation and disability; education, skills and training; housing; and geographical access to services). IMD can help to identify areas for regeneration.
Industrial Waste: Waste from a factory or industrial process.
Inert waste: Waste not undergoing significant physical, chemical or biological changes following disposal, as it does not adversely affect other matter that it may come into contact with, and does not endanger surface or groundwater.
Infill development: Building on a relatively small site between existing buildings.
Information Technology (I.T.) / Information and Communication Technology (I.C.T.): The technology required for information processing. In particular the use of computers and computer software to convert, store, process, transmit and retrieve information.
Infrastructure: The physical features (for example roads, rails, and stations) that make up the transport network.
Inquiry (sometimes known as a Public Local Inquiry): A public examination of certain development plans and planning applications, by an Independent Planning Inspector, who will then issue a report of recommendations into the matters discussed.
Inset map: A larger scale map that covers a small part of the wider proposals map (such as a town centre).
Inset village / village envelope: A village that is 'inset' from the green belt or other countryside protection policies on the proposals map, sometimes allowing appropriate development.
Inspector's Report: A report issued by an Independent Planning Inspector regarding the planning issues debated at the independent examination of a development plan or a planning inquiry. Reports into DPDs will be binding upon local authorities.
Interchange: To transfer between different transport modes to complete a single journey. Transport Interchanges are places where the change between modes of travel is easy, for example a Bus/Rail station or an airport with rail access.
Inward Investment: New business investment or expansion of an existing investment into a region from a source outside of the region.
Issues, Options and Preferred Options: The "pre-submission" consultation stages on DPDs with the objective of gaining public consensus over proposals ahead of submission to Government for independent examination.

Judicial Review: A procedure by which the high court may review the reasonableness of decisions made by administrative authorities or lower courts, for example a planning decision.

Kerbside Collection: The collection by local authorities of recyclable goods directly from households, or occasionally industrial and commercial premises.
Key Diagram: The diagrammatic interpretation of the spatial strategy as set out in the Core Strategy Development Plan Document. In a Regional Spatial Strategy, the key diagram illustrates the spatial strategy and may show links and relationships with other strategies and neighbouring regions.
Knowledge based Industry: High technology industries (such as 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.

Land Compensation: Provisions for the compensation of land compulsorily acquired in the public interest. (See also CPOs)
Landbank (in minerals terms): A stock (overall amount) of planning permissions that relate to non-energy minerals giving continuity of production.
Landfill (including land raising): The permanent disposal of waste into the ground, by the filling of man-made voids or similar features, or the construction of land forms above ground level (land-raising).
Landfill Directive: European Union requirements on landfill to ensure high standards for disposal and to stimulate waste minimisation.
Landfill Gas: The gas generated in any landfill site accepting biodegradable material. It consists of a mixture of gases, mainly methane and carbon dioxide.
Landscape Appraisal: A method of assessing landscape sensitivity and its capacity to accommodate a particular type of development, for example in terms of visual impact.
Landscaper Character: The distinct and recognisable pattern of elements that occur consistently in a particular type of landscape. It reflects particular combinations of geology, landform, soils, vegetation, land use and human settlement.
Lawful Development Certificate: A procedure by an application can be made to a local planning authority seeking certification that an existing or proposed uses, and other forms of development, can be considered as lawful for planning purposes.
Layout: The way buildings, routes and open spaces are placed or laid out on the ground in relation to each other.
Leachate (usually associated with landfill): Water coming into contact with decomposing waste materials and which has drawn pollutants out of those materials into solution thereby contaminating the water.
Legibility (in terms of settlement patterns): Locations, streets, open spaces and places that have a clear image and are easy to understand. For example, a location that is easy to find your way around.
Light Rail: A local railway or tram system designated direct, accessible and sometimes capable of sharing roads with traffic and heavy railways, for example Tyne and Wear Metro.
Limits of Development: See: Development Limits.
Listed Building: A building of special architectural or historic interest. Graded I (highest quality), II* or II. Designated by English Heritage
Listed Building Consent: Consent required for the demolition, in whole or in part of a listed building, and for any works of alteration or extension that would affect the character of the building.
Listed Building Enforcement Notice: A notice issued if work is carried out on a Listed Building without consent, and requiring that the building be brought back to its former state or other remedial works.
Listed Building Purchase Notice: A notice served on a Local Authority where Listed Building consent is refused or is granted subject to onerous conditions, and where the owner can demonstrate that land is incapable of reasonably beneficial use.
Local Agenda 21: A comprehensive action strategy prepared by local authorities to help achieve sustainable development.
Local Centre: Includes a range of small shops and perhaps limited services of a local nature, serving a small catchment. Sometimes also referred to as a local neighbourhood centre.
Local Development Documents (LDDs): These include Development Plan Documents, which will form part of the statutory development plan, and Supplementary Planning Documents, which do not form part of the statutory development plan. LDDs collectively deliver the spatial planning strategy for the local planning authority's area, and they may be prepared jointly between local planning authorities.
Local Development Framework (LDF): The local development framework is a non-statutory term used to describe a folder of documents, which includes all the local planning authority's local development documents (comprised of development plan documents, which will form part of the statutory development plan, and supplementary planning documents). The local development framework will also comprise the statement of community involvement, the local development scheme and the annual monitoring report.
Local Development Order (LDO): An order made by a local planning authority extending permitted development rights for certain forms of development, with regard to a relevant LDD.
Local Development Scheme (LDS): The local planning authority's time-scaled programme for the preparation of Local Development Documents that must be agreed with Government and reviewed every year.
Local Landscape Designation (for example, 'Area of High Landscape value'): Non-statutory and locally designated areas outside the national landscape designations, which are considered to be of particular landscape value to the local area.
Local Listing (Sometimes listed as a 'Building of Local Importance').: Locally important building valued for contribution to local scene or for local historical situations but not meriting Listed Building status.
Local Nature Reserve.: Non-statutory habitats of local significance designated by local authorities and English Nature where protection and public understanding of nature conservation is encouraged and where the Local Authority owns or has long-term control of the land.
Local Plan: An old-style development plan prepared by District and other Local Planning Authorities. These plans will continue to operate for a time after the commencement of the new development plan system, by virtue of specific transitional provisions.
Local Planning Authority: The local authority or council that is empowered by law to exercise planning functions. Often the local borough or district council, such as South Tyneside Council.
Local Strategic Partnership (LSP): An overall partnership of people that brings together organisations from the public, private, community and voluntary sector within a local authority area, with the objective of improving people's quality of life.
Local Transport Plan: A five-year integrated transport strategy, prepared by local authorities in partnership with the community, seeking funding to help provide local transport projects. The plan sets out the resources predicted for delivery of the targets identified in the strategy. Local transport plans should be consistent with the policies and priorities set out in the Regional Transport Strategy as an integral part of the RSS.
Low Demand Housing (or areas of housing abandonment): A location where the housing market has collapsed or is close to doing so resulting in a low demand for housing or actual abandonment. See also Housing Market Renewal.
Low level restoration: The re-establishment of land following mineral extraction, without infilling (filling the hole created by extraction).

Maisonette: A flat at more than one level.
Management Plan: A plan devised by people or groups interested in the management or conservation of important areas, including nature conservation or historic environment interests.
Marine Dredged Aggregate: Sand and gravel dredged from deposits on the seabed and landed at shipping wharves for use in the construction industry.
Marine Nature Reserves: Sites designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to conserve marine flora and fauna or geological or physiographical features or to allow study of such features.
Market Towns: Towns that hold a regular public market of varying catchment areas. These are often rural service, social and economic centres.
Master Plan: A type of planning brief outlining the preferred usage of land and buildings, as a framework for planning applications.
Mast-sharing (including mobile phone masts): More than one antenna sharing a mast or a site, perhaps helping to reduce visual impact.
Material Consideration: A matter that should be taken into account in deciding on a planning application or on an appeal against a planning decision.
Materials Recycling Facility (MRF): A facility for sorting and packing recyclable waste.
Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT): The treatment of residual waste using a combination of mechanical separation and biological treatment.
Mineral: Rock or other material that has a commercial value when extracted.
Mineral Consultation Area: An area identified in order to ensure consultation between the relevant Minerals Planning Authority, the minerals industry and others before certain non-mineral planning applications made within the area are determined.
Mineral Development: Any activity related to the exploration for or winning and working of minerals, including tipping of spoil and ancillary operations such as the use of processing plant.
Mineral Planning Authority (MPA): The planning authority responsible for planning control of minerals development - for example South Tyneside Council.
Mineral Planning Statement (MPS): Minerals Planning Statement published by ODPM. MPSs will eventually replace Minerals Planning Guidance Notes.
Mineral Resource: A potential mineral deposit where the quality and quantity of material present has not been tested.
Minerals Reserves: Mineral deposits which have been tested to establish the quality and quantity of material present and which could be economically and technically exploited.
Mixed use (or mixed use development): Provision of a mix of complementary uses, such as say residential, community and leisure uses, on a site or within a particular area.
Minerals Planning Guidance Note (MPG): Documents issued by the ODPM setting out government policy and advice on minerals planning issues. (Currently being replaced by Minerals Planning Policy Statements).
Multi Use Games Area (MUGA): An enclosed area, using a synthetic grass or hard surface for playing sports, for example five-a-side soccer or netball.
Multimodal Study: A detailed study of options to address a specific transport problem. A multi-modal study assesses a range of options across a number of modes of transport against the Government transport objectives of environment, safety, economy, integration and accessibility.
Multiple Retailer: Stores within a company chain of local, regional, national or international significance.
Multiplier Effect: The extended impact of an economic action upon employment. For example, a new major business may place orders with a smaller one helping to create extra jobs.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): Household waste and any other waste collected by a Waste Collection Authority such as municipal parks and gardens waste, beach cleansing waste and waste resulting from the clearance of fly-tipped materials.

National Land Use Database (NLUD): Government initiative to provide information on the amount of previously developed land (and buildings) that may be available for development.
National Nature Reserves: Areas designated with the aim of securing protection and appropriate management of the most important areas of wildlife habitat, and to provide a resource for scientific research. All NNRs are Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
National Park: The statutory purposes of National Parks are to conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage, and to promote opportunities for public understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities.
Natural surveillance (or supervision): The discouragement to wrongdoing by the presence of passers-by or the ability of people to be seen out of surrounding windows. Also known as passive surveillance (or supervision). See also: "Planning Out Crime".
Nature Conservation: The protection, management and promotion of wildlife habitat for the benefit of wild species, as well as the communities that use and enjoy them.
Need (in retail terms): The balance of supply and demand between retailers and consumers. Often measured in terms of excess expenditure (or money) available to allow new shops to be built.
Neighbourhood Centre: A number of shops serving a local neighbourhood and separate from the district centre. Sometimes referred to as a Local Centre.
Neighbourhood Renewal: A national strategy setting out the Government's vision for narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country, so that within 10 to 20 years, no one should be seriously disadvantaged by where they live.
Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF): Funding scheme to enable England's 88 most deprived authorities, in collaboration with their Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), to improve services. This will narrow the gap between deprived areas and the rest of the country.
New Town: A newly planned settlement. The first New Towns were planned urban communities under the 1946 New Towns Act. Their main purpose was to reduce congestion in major cities through the creation of attractive urban units that would provide local employment for their residents.
Noise exposure category (NEC): In terms of Planning Guidance, when assessing a proposal for residential development near to a source of noise, planning authorities use NECs to help consider the effects.
Non-Fossil Fuels: Sources of energy not derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. Examples include renewable energy resources such as wind or hydroelectric (water) power.
Northern Way: A cross-regional strategy created by the three Northern Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and their partners in response to the ODPM's 'Sustainable Communities Plan' progress report 'Making it Happen: the Northern Way', the purpose of which is to create a step-change in economic growth across the North of England.

Objectives and Indicators: Objectives are what are trying to be achieved, and indicators are measures that show whether or not objectives are being achieved. They can be used to help show whether planning policy is effective, or in helping to conduct a Sustainability Appraisal.
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM): ODPM's aim is to create sustainable communities. It is responsible for housing, planning, regional and local government, regeneration, social exclusion, neighbourhood renewal and the fire and rescue service. It is also lead sponsor department for the Government Offices for the Regions.
Offshore Renewable Energy Projects: Projects that generate electricity using wind or wave generators that are located beyond the low tide mark. Central Government may deal with these rather than local planning authorities.
Open Space: All space of public value, including not just land, but also areas of water such as rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs, which can offer opportunities for sport and recreation. They can also act as a visual amenity and a haven for wildlife.
Opencast Working: A form of surface mining to win minerals, where the overburden (see definition) is literally 'cast' from the working face to the rear as the mineral is exposed.
Outline application: A general application for planning permission to establish that a development is acceptable in principle, subject to subsequent approval of detailed matters.
Out-of-Centre: In retailing terms, a location that is clearly separate from the primary shopping area of a town centre but not necessarily outside the urban area.
Out-of-Town: In retailing terms, an out-of-centre location on land not clearly within the current urban boundary.
Overbearing: A term used to describe the impact of a development or building on its surroundings, particularly a neighbouring property, in terms of its scale, massing and general dominating effect.
Overburden: Soil and other material that overlays a mineral deposit, and which has to be excavated and either tipped or stockpiled to gain access to the underlying mineral.
Over-development: An amount of development (for example the quantity of buildings or intensity of use) that is excessive in terms of demands on infrastructure and services, or impact on local amenity and character.
Overlooking: A term used to describe the effect when a development or building affords an outlook over adjoining land or property causing loss of privacy.
Overshadowing: The effect of a development or building on the amount of natural light presently enjoyed by a neighbouring property, resulting in a shadow being cast over that neighbouring property.

Panel

This is a panel of persons appointed by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State to conduct the examination-in- public into a draft revision of a Regional Spatial Strategy or Structure Plan.

Passenger Transport Authority

A body (in some parts of the country), responsible for ensuring the area has an effective and integrated public transport system.

Passive Solar Heating

A solar heating system using a simple solar collector, building materials, or an architectural design to capture and store the Sun's heat. Very simple examples include a garden greenhouse, or a south-facing window in a dwelling.

Permitted Development (or Permitted Development Rights)

Rights to carry out certain limited forms of development without the need to make an application for planning permission, as granted under the terms of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order.

Permitted Reserves

Mineral deposits with the benefit of planning permission for extraction.

Phasing or Phased Development

The phasing of development into manageable parts. For example, an annual rate of housing release for a large development that may need to be controlled so as to avoid destabilising housing markets and causing low demand.

Photovoltaics / photovoltaic cells.

Conversion of solar radiation (the Sun's rays) to electricity by the effect of photons (tiny packets of light) on the electrons in a solar cell. For example, a solar powered car or a calculator.

Plan, Monitor and Manage (PMM) (in Housing terms)

Approach to housing provision involving:

Plan for an overall annual rate and distribution of housing;
Monitor provision against targets and indicators; and
Manage the process.

Plan-led system

The principle that decisions upon planning applications should be made in accordance with adopted development plans (and DPDs), unless there are other material considerations that may indicate otherwise.

Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004

The Act updates elements of the 1990 Town & Country Planning Act. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduces:

a statutory system for regional planning;
a new system for local planning; reforms to the development control and compulsory purchase and compensation systems; and
removes crown immunity from planning controls.

Planning Advisory Service

A service set up by Government to help and advise local planning authorities struggling to meet best value performance targets for development control.

Planning Aid

Planning Aid provides free and independent advice and support to community groups and individuals unable to employ a planning consultant.

Planning Consultant

A consultant that specialises in giving planning advice.

Planning Delivery Grant

PDG is providing about £600 million over six years (2003-2008), to resource and incentivise regional planning bodies and local authorities to improve the planning system and deliver sustainable communities. Allocations are based on assessment of performance across a range of planning functions.

Planning for Real

A copyrighted consultation method involving a creative exercise (for example the use of maps and model buildings) designed to

enable public engagement in "real" plan making. (please Contact the Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation for further details)

Planning Gain

The benefits or safeguards, often for community benefit, secured as part of a planning approval and usually provided at the developer's expense. For example, affordable housing, community facilities or mitigation measures.

Planning Inspectorate

The Government body responsible for:

the processing of planning and enforcement appeals;
holding inquiries into local development plans;
examinations of development plan documents and statements of community involvement;
listed building consent appeals;
advertisement appeals;
reporting on planning applications called in for decision by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister;
various compulsory purchase orders, rights of way cases; and
cases arising from the Environmental Protection and Water Acts and the Transport and Works Act and other highways legislation are also dealt with.

Planning Obligations and Agreements

Legal agreements between a planning authority and a developer, or offered unilaterally by a developer, ensuring that certain extra works related to a development are undertaken. For example, the provision of highways. Sometimes called a "section 106" agreement.

Planning Out Crime

The planning and design of street layouts, open space, and buildings so as to reduce the actual likelihood or fear of crime, for example by creating natural surveillance.

Planning permission

Formal approval sought from a Council, often granted with conditions, allowing a proposed development to proceed. Permission may be sought in principle through outline plans, or be sought in detail through full plans.

Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)

Issued by central Government setting out its national land use policies for England on different areas of planning. These are being replaced by Planning Policy Statements.

Planning Policy Statement (PPS)

Issued by central Government to replace the existing Planning Policy Guidance notes, in order to provide greater clarity and to remove from national policy advice on practical implementation, which is better expressed as guidance rather than policy.

Planning Portal

A national website for members of the public, local planning authorities and planning consultants seeking advice and information on planning matters.

Playing Field

"Playing field" is often taken to mean the whole of a site that encompasses at least one playing pitch.

Pollution Prevention and Control / Integrated Pollution Control

A system of regulations and permit regime designed to prevent or reduce pollution.

Port

A harbour or sheltered piece of water into which boats can enter for repair, to trade or to allow passengers to board and depart.

Precautionary Principle

Taking action now to avoid possible environmental damage when the scientific evidence for acting is inconclusive but the potential damage could be great.

Preferred Areas

An area within a Mineral Consultation Area containing mineral resources which can be identified with a high degree of provision and where there is a strong presumption in favour of extraction.

Previously Developed Land (PDL) or 'Brownfield' land

Previously developed land is that which is or was occupied by a permanent structure (excluding agricultural or forestry buildings), and associated fixed surface infrastructure. Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 "Housing" has a detailed definition.

Primary Aggregates

Naturally occurring sand, gravel and crushed rock used for construction purposes.

Primary Shopping Area (or Primary Shopping Frontage)

An area where retailing and the number of shops in a town centre is most concentrated.

Prior Approval

A procedure relating for example to telecommunication or agricultural developments, where if the Local Planning Authority does not respond to the developer's application within a certain time, permission is deemed granted.

Private open space

Open space that is usually privately owned and is not usually accessible by members of the public.

Proposals Map

The component of a development plan, or LDF, showing the location of proposals in the plan, on an Ordnance Survey base map.

Protected Species

Plants and animal species afforded protection under certain Acts of Law and Regulations.

Proximity Principle

Requires that waste should be managed as near as possible to its place of production, reducing travel impacts.

Public art

Permanent or temporary physical works of art visible to the general public, whether part of a building or free-standing, for example sculpture, lighting effects, street furniture, paving, railings and signs.

Public open space

Urban space, designated by a Council, where public access may or may not be formally established, but which fulfils or can fulfil a recreational or non-recreational role (for example, amenity, ecological, educational, social or cultural usages).

Public realm

The parts of a village, town or city (whether publicly or privately owned) that is available, without charge, for everyone to use. This includes streets, squares and parks.

Public Right of Way

A Public Right of Way is a highway over which the public have a right of access along the route.

Quality Bus Route: High quality, high frequency bus route usually operated by low floor vehicles along routes often with a higher degree of bus priority measures installed to speed up journey times.

Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000

Legislation, which seeks to prevent discrimination directly or indirectly in any functions, carried out by public authorities.

Ramsar Sites

Sites designated under the International Ramsar Convention to protect wetlands that are of international importance, particularly as waterfowl habitats.

Real Time Information (RTI)

Electronically displayed and up to the minute bus or train arrival information at public transport stops.

Reasoned justification

The supporting text in a development plan or Local Development Document explaining and justifying the approach set out in policy.

Reclamation (in terms of mineral operations)

Operations designed to return an area to an acceptable environmental state, whether for the resumption of the former land use or for a new use. It includes restoration, aftercare, soil handling, filling and contouring operations.

Recovery

Value can be recovered from waste by recovering materials through recycling, composting or recovery of energy.

Recycled Aggregates

Aggregates produced from recycled construction waste such as crushed concrete and planings from tarmac roads.

Recycling

The reprocessing of waste either into the same product or a different one.

Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)

A fuel product produced from the combustible fraction of waste.

Regeneration

The economic, social and environmental renewal and improvement of rural and urban areas.

Regional / Local Gateways

(In Transport Terms)

Airports, main rail stations, ports, and motorways that form the travellers' first point of contact with the area.

Regional Aggregates Working Party

A working group consisting of local authority officers, representatives of the aggregates industry and central government established to consider the supply and demand for aggregate minerals.

Regional and Sub-Regional Shopping Centres

Shopping centres generally over 50,000 square metres retail area, typically enclosing a wide range of comparison goods. Can be located within town and city centres but also out-of-centre or out-of-town locations.

Regional Development Agency (RDA)

The nine Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) set up in the English Regions are non-departmental public bodies. Their primary role is as a strategic driver of regional economic development in their region. The RDAs aim is to:

co-ordinate regional economic development and regeneration;
enable the regions to improve their relative competitiveness; and
reduce the imbalances that exist within and between regions. For example 'One North East' in the North East of England.

Regional Economic Strategy

These statutory strategies take an integrated and sustainable approach to economic development and regeneration by tackling business competitiveness, productivity and the underlying problems of unemployment, skills shortages, social exclusion and physical decay. They provide:

a regional framework for economic development, skills and regeneration to ensure better strategic focus for, and co-ordination of, activity in the region whether by the agency or by other regional, sub-regional or local organisations;
a framework for the delivery of national and European programmes and influence the development of Government policy; and
the basis for the RDAs' detailed action plans.

Regional Housing Board

Regional Housing Boards are established in each region to strengthen the linkages between housing, the planning framework, and economic development. They also co-ordinate arrangements for determining regional priorities for housing investment.

Regional Housing Strategy (RHS)

The Regional Housing Strategy prioritises the housing needs of the region (by locations and/or types of expenditure) to allow decisions to be taken on how housing resources should be allocated within the region. It takes an overall view on regional housing need, housing investment priorities and affordable housing targets. This provides a regional context for local authorities in drawing up their own housing investment strategies and to identify regional priorities for housing investment to be funded through registered social landlords.

Regional Planning Body (RPB) / Regional Assembly

Each of the English regions outside of London has a Regional Chamber that the regions generally call "Regional Assemblies" (not to be confused with the term "Elected Regional Assemblies"). They are responsible for developing and co-ordinating a strategic vision for improving the quality of life in a region. The Assembly is responsible for setting priorities and preparing certain regional strategies,including Regional Spatial Strategies. For example, in the North East of England the RPB is the North East Regional Assembly.

Regional Planning Guidance (RPG)

Regional planning policy and guidance issued for each region in England by the Secretary of State. Most RPG becomes Regional Spatial Strategy until revised by replacement RSS.

Regional Self sufficiency

Requires that most waste should be managed within the region in which it is produced.

Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)

A strategy for how a region should look in 15 to 20 years time and possibly longer. It 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. New RSS is being prepared by RPBs.

Regional Sustainable Development Framework (RSDF)

High-level documents that set out a vision for sustainable development in each region, and the region's contribution to sustainable development at the national level. In doing so, frameworks take a wide overview of regional activity and the regional impact of Government policy. For example, "Sustaine: The Integrated Regional Framework for the North East".

Regional Technical Advisory Body on Waste (RTAB)

Provides specialist advice on waste to the Regional Planning Body on options and strategies for dealing with the waste that needs to be managed within the Region.

Regional Transport Strategy

A strategy produced by the Regional Planning Body, informing local transport plans, and providing a strategic overview of transport strategies and investment priorities.

Regionally Important Geological and Geo-morphological Sites (RIGGs)

A non-statutory regionally important geological or geo-morphological site (basically relating to rocks, the Earth's structure and landform).

Remedial work

The work needed to raise the quality of land to an acceptable level before it is used or developed. For example, contaminated land may need pollutants removing.

Residual Waste

Waste remaining after materials for reuse, recycling and composting have been removed.

Restoration (in terms of minerals operations)

Steps to return land to its original or former condition following mineral working by using subsoil, topsoil or soil-making material.

Retail Floorspace

Total floor area of the property that is associated with all retail uses. Usually measured in square metres.

Retail Impact

The potential effects of proposed retail development upon existing shopping, businesses and the local environment.

Retail Impact Assessment

An assessment of the overall potential effects of new retail developments on existing centres, including retail trade diversion (one shop taking trade from another).

Retail Park

A grouping of at least 3 retail warehouses.

Retail Warehouses

Large, usually out-of-town or out-of-centre units selling non-food items such as DIY, furniture, leisure and household goods.

Ribbon Development

Development, usually residential development, extending along one or both sides of a road but not extended in depth.

Round table discussions

A forum in which people making representations upon a Development Plan Document can express their views before a Government appointed Planning Inspector.

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

A professional body furthering the art of town and country planning. Members can be accredited the status of MRTPI.

Rural Development Area

A rural area suffering a concentration of economic and social needs where regeneration initiatives are focused.

Rural Diversification

The expansion, enlargement or variation of the range of products or fields of operation of a rural business (branching out from traditional farming activities, for example new income generating enterprise like renewable energy).

Rural Exceptions Policy / Site

A development plan or Development Plan Document may allocate small sites within rural areas solely for affordable housing, which would not otherwise be released for general market housing.

Saved Policies / Saved Plan

Policies within Unitary Development Plans, Local Plans, and Structure Plans that are saved for a time period during replacement production of Local Development Documents.

Scheduled Ancient Monument

Nationally important monuments that enjoy greater protection against inappropriate development through the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

Secondary Aggregates

Includes by-product waste, synthetic materials and soft rock used with or without processing as a secondary aggregate.

Secondary Shopping Frontages

A retailing area, secondary to the primary shopping frontage, that provides greater opportunities for a diversity of uses.

Section 106 Agreement

A legal agreement under section 106 of the 1990 Town & Country Planning Act. See also: Planning Obligations and Agreements.

Sequential approach / sequential test

A planning principle that seeks to identify, allocate or development certain types or locations of land before the consideration of others. For example, Brownfield housing sites before Greenfield sites, or town centre retail sites before out-of-centre sites.

Setting

The place or way in which something is set, for example the position or surroundings of a listed building.

Settlement pattern

The distinctive way that roads, paths, buildings and open space are laid out in a particular place.

Shadow Flicker

The rare on and off flickering effect of a shadow caused when the sun passes behind the rotor of a wind turbine.

Shopmobility

Enabling of independent access to retail facilities through the provision of wheelchairs, scooters and escorts for people with physical or visual impairments.

Simplified Planning Zone

An area in which a local planning authority wishes to stimulate development and encourage investment. It operates by granting a specified planning permission in the zone without the need for an application for planning permission and the payment of planning fees.

Single pot

A pot of funding provided by Regional Development Agencies to support regeneration activities administered by groups such as local authorities.

Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) or Site of Biological Interest (SBI)

Locally important sites of nature conservation adopted by local authorities for planning purposes, designated jointly by Local Authorities and their Local Wildlife Trust.

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

A site identified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as incorporated in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) as an area of special interest by reason of any of its flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features (basically, plants, animals, and natural features relating to the Earth's structure).

Site Visit

A visit to a proposed development site conducted by planning officers, councillors or inspectors to clarify the appearance of a site or visualise the effects of the proposal.

Sites and Monuments Record

A list, description, and assessment of all known archaeological finds, remains and ancient monuments including a map of each site.

SME (Small to Medium Enterprise)

An independent business managed by its owner or part owners and having a small market share either by number of employees or turnover.

Social Inclusion

Positive action taken to include all sectors of society in planning and other decision-making.

Soundness

A term referring to the justification of a Development Plan Document. A DPD is considered "sound" and based upon good evidence unless it can be shown to be unsound.

Source Protection Zone

The Environment Agency identifies Source Protection Zones to protect groundwater (especially public water supply) from developments that may damage its quality.

Spatial Development

Changes in the distribution of activities in space and the linkages between them in terms of the use and development of land.

Spatial Planning

Spatial planning goes beyond traditional land use planning to bring together and integrate policies for the development and use of land with other policies and programmes which influence the nature of places and how they function. That will include policies which can impact on land use, for example by influencing the demands on, or needs for, development, but which are not capable of being delivered solely or mainly through the granting or refusal of planning permission and which may be implemented by other means.

Spatial Vision

A brief description of how the area will be changed at the end of the plan period (often 10 - 15 years).

Special Area Of Conservation (SAC)

A site designated under the European Community Habitats Directive, to protect internationally important wildlife habitats.

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.

Special Protection Areas (SPA)

Sites classified under the European Community Directive on Wild Birds to protect internationally important bird species.

Spot-Listing

Request to the Secretary of State for an individual building to be given Listed Building status.

Standards Authority

A Local Planning Authority producing an improvement plan, having failed to meet one or more Government Best Value performance target for development control, relating to efficient planning application processing.

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

The SCI sets out standards to be achieved by the local authority in involving the community in the preparation, alteration and continuing review of all local development documents and development control decisions.

Statement of Consultation / Statement of Compliance

A report or statement issued by local planning authorities explaining how they have complied with their SCI during consultation on Local Development Documents.

Statutory

Required by law (statute), usually through an Act of Parliament.

Statutory Body

A Government appointed body set up to give statutory advice and comment upon development plans and planning applications affecting matters of public interest. (For example, Countryside Agency, English Heritage, English Nature, Environment Agency, Health & Safety Executive, Regional Development Agency, and Sport England).

Statutory Undertakers / Statutory Utilities

Providers of essential services such as gas, electricity, water or telecommunications.

Sterilisation

When development or land use changes prevent possible mineral exploitation in the foreseeable future.

Strategic Development Control Policies

These policies are implemented directly through the grant and refusal of planning permission and are part of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Strategic Employment Site

A key employment site in a strategic location capable of accommodating major investment, often of national or regional significance.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

An environmental assessment of certain plans and programmes, including those in the field of planning and land use, which complies with the EU Directive 2001/42/EC. The environmental assessment involves the:

preparation of an environmental report;
carrying out of consultations;
taking into account of the environmental report and the results of the consultations in decision making;
provision of information when the plan or programme is adopted; and
showing that the results of the environment assessment have been taken into account.

Structure Plan

An old-style development plan, which sets out strategic planning policies and forms the basis for detailed policies in local plans and Development Plan Documents. These plans will continue to operate for a time after the commencement of the new development plan system, due to transitional provisions under planning reform.

Submission Document

A Development Plan Document submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination before a Government appointed Planning Inspector.

Sub-regional partnership

A sub-regional strategic body directing, influencing and co-ordinating a range of economic development and regeneration activities often made up of key private, public and other interests.

Sui-Generis

A term given to specific uses of land or buildings, not falling into any of the use classes identified by the Use Classes Order, for example theatres, launderettes, car showrooms and filling stations.

Superstore

A self-service store selling mainly food, or food and non-food goods, usually of more than 2,500 square metres of trading floorspace, with supporting car parking.

Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

An SPD is a Local Development Document that may cover a range of issues, thematic or site specific, and provides further detail of policies and proposals in a 'parent' DPD.

Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG)

An SPG may cover a range of issues, both thematic and site specific and provide further detail of policies and proposals in a Development Plan. SPGs can be saved when linked to policy under transitional arrangements.

Sustainability Appraisal (including Environmental Appraisal)

The process of weighing and assessing all the policies in a development plan, Local Development Document, or Regional Spatial Strategy, for their global, national and local implications. (See also Strategic Environmental Assessment).

Sustainable Communities

Places where people want to live and work, now and in the future.

Sustainable Communities Plan

A long-term programme of action, published in February 2003, to tackle the shortage of housing in London and the South East and low demand and abandonment in the North and Midlands and to create sustainable communities.

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 at the same time, are: social progress which recognises the needs of everyone; effective protection of the environment; the prudent use of natural resources; and maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.

Sustainable travel / sustainable transport

Often meaning walking, cycling and public transport (and in some circumstances "car sharing"), which is considered to be less damaging to the environment and which contributes less to traffic congestion than one-person car journeys.

Terracing Effect: A term used to describe the closing of gaps between houses by extending the houses sideways, for example a double garage between semi-detached properties.
Topography: A description (or visual representation on a map) of artificial or natural features on or off the ground. For example, contours or changes in the height of land above sea level.
Town / Cityscape: The general appearance of a town or city, for example in terms of its streets and features.
Town Centre Mall: A purpose built centre incorporating many individual shop units usually concentrating on comparison goods and sometimes leisure, residential and other uses.
Town Centre Management: A forum of traders, businesses and local authorities to agree and undertake co-ordinated overseeing of the retail environment and funding improvements.
Town Centre Strategy: An "action plan" to sustain and encourage the growth of services and amenities through a partnership of the local authority and various organisations and people.
Town Centre Uses: A diverse range of town centre uses including, retail, social, leisure and cultural, housing, employment and other uses.
Town Centres: Includes a range of different sized centres, including market and country towns, traditional suburban centres, and quite often, the principal centre(s) in a local authority's area.
Trade Parks: An out-of-centre mixed-use area of larger retail and light industrial units selling bulky goods.
Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA): An assessment of the effects upon the surrounding area by traffic as a result of a development, such as increased traffic flows that may require highway improvements.
Tranquil Areas: Areas sufficiently remote from the visual or audible intrusion of development or traffic to be considered unspoilt by urban influences.
Transitional Arrangements: Government regulations describing the process of preparing development plans begun before, and to be completed after, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. It includes existing "saved" Unitary, Structure and Local plans until new Local Development Documents are adopted.
Transport Assessment (TA): An asses

South Tyneside Council

Planning

Planning policy and proposals