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This glossary of terms is only intended to provide a guide. It is not a statement of the law, nor does it make any claim to be an official definition.
Accommodation of different tenures that is available at below market values or rents, in perpetuity, to meet the needs of those people who cannot otherwise afford to buy or rent their own homes. The properties are normally rented, although shared equity schemes may also play a role.
A positive component that contributes to the overall character of an area, e.g. open land, trees, historic buildings and the inter-relationship between all elements of the local environment.
Identified by English Nature as an area that has had continuous woodland cover since 1600 AD resulting in the survival of certain rare plants and animals.
A subsidiary use connected to the main use of a building or piece of land, e.g. storage space within a factory.
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty contains landscape of national importance as designated by the Government on advice from the Countryside Agency.
A power available under the 1995 Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order allowing the Council to limit or remove permitted development rights of properties and land.
Development of land which lies generally behind the line of existing frontage development, has little or no frontage to a public highway and would constitute piecemeal development in that it does not form part of a large area allocated for development.
The most flexible, productive and efficient agricultural land as graded by the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as being between 1 and 3a, with 1 being excellent and 3a being good.
“Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms from all sources including, among other things, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes the diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems” (EU Convention on Biological Diversity Definition).
A highway over which the public have a right of way on foot, bicycle and on horseback or leading a horse.
Non-statutory Government advice on topics such as gypsy sites, electricity stations and overhead lines, planning obligations etc.
An area originally defined within the Essex Coast Protection Subject Plan (1984). Coastal Protection Belts consists of the undeveloped rural areas of a coastline.
Clauses attached to a planning permission considered necessary, relevant, enforceable, precise and reasonable to enable development to proceed where it might otherwise be necessary to refuse permission.
An area designated by the Council under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as possessing special architectural or historical interest. The Council is required to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of these areas.
Non-statutory designation for a site of county significance for wildlife or geology.
Statement of the specific requirements of a site owner, within the context of planning policies, to assist potential developers on such matters as the required density, plot ratio, means of access, number of parking spaces, design and landscaping.
A self-contained residential unit, occupied by either a person or group of people living together as a family, or by not more than six residents living together as a single household (including a household where care is provided for residents).
Development promoted primarily as a way of saving an important Listed Building, registered garden or scheduled monument that is neglected, dilapidated, or otherwise perceived to be “at risk”.
Process by which information about the likely environmental effects of certain projects is collected, assessed and taken into account by both the applicant, as part of a project design, and by the decision making body in deciding whether permission should be granted.
Land that is at risk of tidal or fluvial flooding .Flood risk maps are produced by the Environment Agency which grades the level of risk in each area.
Assessment required to accompany planning applications for development in areas of identified flood risk that both determines the level of risk and whether mitigation measures can address any flood risk problems that may be brought about by development.
Land that is not considered to be previously developed as per the PPG3 definition.
Development of sites that have adjacent buildings – usually the redevelopment of a plot in an otherwise continuously built-up road frontage of buildings
The basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of the community, such as transportation and communications systems, water and power lines, and public institutions including schools and post offices etc.
Uses that can include care homes, nursing homes and other non-custodial institutions.
The treatment of land for the purposes of enhancing and protecting amenities, and including fencing, walls or other means of enclosure, the planting of trees, hedges, shrubs or grass, and the formation of gardens and courtyards.
A building designated by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport as being of special architectural or historic interest often on the advice of English Heritage. There are three grades of listed building: I, II* and II.
Three year project plan setting out the documents the Council intends to produce within its Local Development Framework under the new Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, and how and when it will involve the public in their preparation. The LDS is reviewed annually.
Areas of locally important strategic open land that protect the countryside between urban areas, and safeguard the separate identity, character and openness of settlements.
A reserve declared and managed by a local authority under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949). LNRs are usually declared on land which has some actual or potential wildlife interest in a local context, and which is well suited to public access and interpretation.
A matter that should be taken into account in deciding on a planning application or on an appeal against a planning decision.
Sites managed by English Nature or an approved body, established as reserves under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949).
Any use which would be out of character and keeping with the established predominant use of an area, e.g. a general industrial use located in a primarily residential area.
Conditions attached to a planning consent that restrict the occupation of a dwelling, or permanent holiday accommodation to either certain times of the year or to certain parties.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (previously The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)) is the Government department responsible for town and country planning policy and administration.
Limited forms of development allowed 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 2015.
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, usually through Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act (1990).
A series of documents issued by the CLG setting out Government policy and advice on planning issues such as housing, transport, conservation etc.
Documents issued by CLG, under the provisions of the new Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 setting out Government policy and advice on planning issues. PPS’s will eventually replace PPG’s as the Government’s policy documents.
Land that is or was occupied by a permanent structure (excluding agricultural or forestry buildings), and associated fixed surface infrastructure. The definition covers the curtilage of the development. Previously Developed Land is often referred to as ‘brownfield land’ (PPG3).
The area of a shopping centre which is generally the busiest, and contains the largest shop units and major multiples. These are primarily in use Class A1.
An obligatory component of a Local Plan showing the location of proposals and policy boundaries on an ordinance survey map.
Lanes designated by the County Council as having particular historic value or making a significant contribution to the character of the countryside.
Plant and animal species protected under the Conservation (Natural Habitats and Conservation) Regulations 1994, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and subsequent amendments, or other species protected under legislation specific to them.
Private outdoor sitting area attached to a residential dwelling that is not overlooked by adjacent or opposite living rooms or outdoor sitting areas.
A way where the public has a right to walk, and in some cases ride horses, bicycles, motorcycles or drive motor vehicles.
Area identified under the internationally agreed Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as waterfowl sites and as Sites of Special Scientific Interest focusing on the ecological importance of wetlands generally. Ratified by the British Government in 1976.
The re-use or redevelopment of decaying or run-down buildings or urban area to bring them new life and economic vitality.
Policy guidance and advice issued for each region in England by the Secretary of State.
Strategic policy guidance and advice issued for each region under the provisions of the new Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
The normal and reasonable satisfaction people expect from their local living environment.
A narrow band of development extending along one or both sides of a road.
Activities undertaken on surplus land and the utilisation of redundant and unused rural buildings to support farming incomes, including, for example, forestry, leisure and tourism.
A historic or archaeological structure placed on a schedule compiled by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
A means by which development can be directed to the most sustainable locations. Examples of sequential tests include that of PPG3 in relation to housing development, PPS6 in relation to retail development and PPG25 in relation to avoiding flood risk.
Boundary that shows the extent of defined towns and villages within which there is a presumption, in principle, in favour of development. Land outside of the Settlement Development Boundary is considered to be countryside.
An area identified by English Nature designated for protection by reason of the rarity of its nature conservation or wildlife features.
The mapping system we use on our Uniform database.
A site designated by the UK Government under EC Directive 92/43 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.
An area of international importance for bird conservation designated under the European Community’s Council Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, which requires special measures to be taken to conserve the habitats of particular species.
Required by law (statute), through an Act of Parliament.
Statutory requirement of the 2001 European SEA Directive to assess the potential environmental effects of the policies and proposals contained in development plans.
Statutory plan prepared by the County Council setting out key strategic policies which provide the framework for more detailed policies in Local Plans. This Local Plan is required to be in general conformity with the Structure Plan.
Additional advice issued by a local planning authority expanding upon its statutory policies.
Planning guidance that will supplement statutory planning policies contained in Local Development Frameworks (LDF) or saved Local Plans under the provisions of the new Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
Interim guidance to supplement draft Local Plan policies in the period up to Adoption of the Local Plan. These documents will eventually form SPD in support of the Adopted version of this Local Plan.
“Development which meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to achieve their own needs and aspirations” (Brundtland Commission Definition, 1987).
An appraisal of the of the policies and proposals of development plans in terms of their ability to deliver sustainable development.
Management measures designed to lower traffic speeds or redirect traffic to alternative routes to avoid congestion, reduce accidents and injuries and prevent excess levels of pollution.
Order made by a local planning authority that makes it an offence to cut, top, lop, uproot or wilfully damage or destroy a tree without that authority’s permission.
The database system we use to hold our planning records.
Study commissioned by the Council to identify potential sites for housing development in the urban areas.
The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order update places different uses of land and buildings into various categories, planning permission not being required for changes of use within the same use class (see Appendix 14). Some uses do not have their own use class and therefore known as Sui Generis.
A continuous linear area facilitating the movement of wildlife through rural or urban environments.
Sites which have not been specifically identified as available for development in the Local Plan that becomes 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 a residential conversion or a new flat over a shop.
Documentary statement of policy and reasoned justification, forming part of a Local Plan submitted by a local planning authority and requiring formal approval.
Below is a list of application types including their suffixes. Some of the applications that the Council receive are applications for planning permission. Parish and Town Councils are notified of these and can make comments on the planning merits of the proposal.
In addition, the following are legal determinations of fact rather than applications to be determined on their planning merits. Comments should relate to the facts of the case, and not their planning merits.
LUEX: Certificate of Existing Lawful Use/development
LUPROP: Certificate of Proposed Lawful Use/development
These applications are for certificates to confirm that a development is lawful and some are prior notifications of a proposed development that is permitted by legislation but the Council must be notified by the applicant/agent/company of the intended works. These are marked ‘For Information Only’ when sent to our Parish/Town Council’s as they are legal determinations of fact rather than applications to be determined on their planning merits. Parish/Town Councils are not required to comment on these applications.
o C3(a) covers use by a single person or a family (a couple whether married or not, a person related to one another with members of the family of one of the couple to be treated as members of the family of the other), an employer and certain domestic employees (such as an au pair, nanny, nurse, governess, servant, chauffeur, gardener, secretary and personal assistant), a carer and the person receiving the care and a foster parent and foster child.
o C3(b): up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care e.g. supported housing schemes such as those for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems.
o C3(c) allows for groups of people (up to six) living together as a single household.
This allows for those groupings that do not fall within the C4 HMO definition, but which fell within the previous C3 use class, to be provided for i.e. a small religious community may fall into this section as could a homeowner who is living with a lodger.