The final confirmation of a plan as a statutory document by the local planning authority.

 

The process whereby a local planning authority decides whether an advertisement which is being displayed, or about to be displayed, is acceptable in terms of amenity and public safety and is being displayed in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations.

 

Low cost housing for sale or rent, often from a housing association, to meet the needs of local people who cannot afford accommodation through the open market.

 

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 solely or mainly in agriculture, forestry or other appropriate rural employment.

 

The pleasant or normally satisfactory aspects of a location which contribute to its overall character and the enjoyment of residents or visitors.

 

Amenity Space
The amenity space may be private or communal gardens, or roof terraces. Parking areas do not count as amenity space, and there are usually separate additional requirements for parking. It is a requirement for any newly built units or those newly created by conversion.

 

A subsidiary use connected to the main use of a building or piece of land.

 

The process whereby an applicant can challenge an adverse decision on an application by means of written representations, an informal hearing or formal inquiry proceedings. Appeals can also be made against the failure of the planning authority to issue a decision, against conditions attached to a permission and against the issue of an enforcement notice.

 

Area designated by the Countryside Agency where the primary purpose is the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty including flora, fauna, geology and landscape.

 

An area which is specifically defined by the local planning authority because they consider its scenic, historical, architectural or cultural features are so significant that a stricter degree of advertisement control is justified in order to conserve visual amenity within that area. Such areas can only be designated with the approval of the Secretary of State.

 

An order made by the Secretary of State, the National Assembly for Wales or the local planning authority, requiring a planning application to be made where normally permitted development rights would apply. A planning application is required for work that does not normally require one.

 

Issued by the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales to restrict the grant of planning permission by a local planning authority, either indefinitely or for a specified period, normally to give the Department time to decide whether to call in the application. 

Land which is behind existing development with no, or very limited, road frontage.

 

A measure of the number and range of species and their relative abundance in a community.

 

Land which has been previously developed. This excludes agricultural land and buildings, mineral workings or other temporary uses. 

A planning application referred to the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales for determination by virtue of the powers contained in section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

 

Each building has a legal use - residential, for example or light industrial. Planning permission is usually necessary in order to change this 'use class'.

Guidance, including policy, issued by a government department usually, but not always, in support of legislation.

 

All land with current planning permission or allocated in local plans.

Notice issued by the government or a local authority to acquire land or buildings for public interest purposes.

 

Stipulations attached to a planning permission to limit or direct the manner in which a development is carried out.

Land which has been polluted or harmed in some way rendering it unfit for safe development and most practical uses without prior remediation.

 

Alteration to a building to allow it to serve a different purpose to that which it was built for. For example, the sub-division of residential properties into bedsits, self-contained flats or maisonettes.

 

A proposed development which is not in accordance with a local plan but which due to exceptional circumstances the local planning authority proposes to accept - after due publicity and possible referral to the Secretary of State.

 

Land so damaged by industrial or other development that it is incapable of beneficial use without treatment.

Document providing detailed information to guide developers on the type of development, design and layout constraints and other requirements for a particular, usually substantial, site.

 

The process whereby a local planning authority decides whether a planning application meets the requirements of planning policy, particularly as set out in development plans.

 

This contains the policies and guidance which manage development in a Local Authority area. Under the new planning system the Development Plan comprise the Regional Spatial Strategy and Local Development Frameworks. These will replace existing Structure Plans, Unitary Development Plans and Local Plans following a period of transition. At present, Development Plans are made up of a combination of documents from the old and new systems.

 

Under the new Planning System these documents form part of the Development Plan for the District, along with the Regional Spatial Strategy. These documents are subject to stringent public consultation and independent examination. Development plan documents must include the Local Development Scheme, Statement of Community Involvement and the Proposals Map. DPDs are produced for specific policy areas tailored to meet the needs of each Local Authority. They will generally include Core Strategies, Area Action Plans, Housing & Employment Land Allocations, etc. Together with Supplementary Planning Documents these make up Local Development Documents.

 

Notice served by a local planning authority requiring the discontinuance of the display of any advertisement, or the use of a site for the display of an advertisement, which has the benefit of deemed consent under the Control of Advertisements Regulations. Action to serve a discontinuance notice may only be taken if the planning authority is satisfied it is necessary to do so to remedy a substantial injury to the amenity of the locality or a danger to members of the public.

This is needed to display an advertisement, which does not benefit from deemed consent under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements Regulations).

 

Procedures by a local planning authority to ensure that the terms and conditions of a planning decision are carried out, or that development without planning permission is brought under control.

 

Notice requiring the discontinuance of an unauthorised use and/or the removal of buildings, including restoration of land, where development has been begun without permission or in breach of a condition.

 

A national body funded by the government to promote and give advice on building conservation matters.

 

The process of weighing all the policies in a development plan for their global, national and local environmental implications.

 

Under the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988, proposers of certain scheduled developments are required to submit a planning application with an accompanying environmental statement, evaluating the likely environmental impacts of the development, together with an assessment of how the severity of the impacts could be reduced.  Voluntary production of an Environmental Statement (ES) by the developer of a major project is often good practice.

 

A use which does not conform to a plan but against which enforcement proceedings cannot be taken, often because of the length of time the use has been in operation.

 

These were issued by a planning authority before July 1992 where it could be shown that a use of land or buildings had existed since before 1964. It gave immunity from enforcement action. Since July 1992 these have been replaced by Lawful Development Certificates.

 

 

Full Planning Permission
Full Planning Permission is when Outline and what would be reserved matters are requested at once. See also 'Detailed/Full Application'.

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants rights (known as permitted development rights) to carry out certain limited forms of development without the need to make an application for planning permission. See also 'Permitted Development (PD)'

 

 

A national body funded by the government to promote and give advice on the conservation of England's wildlife and natural features.

A series of documents issued by Communities and Local Government setting out government policy and advice on planning issues such as housing, transport, conservation etc.

 

The replacement for the former PPGs, these are more concise documents compared to their predecessors. They are issued by Communities and Local Government and set out government policy. Advice is now separated into accompanying documents so there is a clear distinction between policy and guidance.

That which is privately owned and not generally open to the public, although some are subject to agreements that afford limited public access.

 

An obligatory component of a local plan (or Local Development Framework) showing the location of proposals and designations in the plan on an Ordnance Survey base map.

 

Public Inquiry
Planning appeals, which are complicated or controversial or have caused a lot of local interest are examined by public inquiry. It is a formal procedure, allowing for witness statements and cross-examinations. Interested members of the public may speak if they apply to do so on the first day when the timetable is agreed. Barristers often, but not necessarily, represent each side, and inquiries may last from one day up to more than 2 years. After the inquiry the Inspector produces a report and a decision. This can take anything from a month to well over a year. Sometimes the case is "called in" by the Secretary of State, who then makes the final decision.

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

 

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

 

A notice served in respect of land subject to enforcement proceedings prohibiting the carrying out or continuing of specified operations which are alleged to constitute a breach of planning control and designed to stop work going on pending the outcome of an appeal.

 

 

Statutory plan setting out key strategic policies which provide the framework for more detailed policies in local plans.

 

Uses of land or buildings which do not fall into any of the use classes identified by the Use Classes Order, for example theatres, launderettes, car showrooms and filling stations.

 

The replacement for Supplementary Planning Guidance under the new planning system, These documents contain additional advice issued by a local planning authority expanding upon its statutory policies.   These documents are subject to greater Public scrutiny than the former Supplementary Planning Guidance, but do not form part of the Development Plan, although they are still Local Development Documents.

 

Additional advice issued by a local planning authority expanding upon its statutory policies.

 

Under the new Planning System all Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents will need to be the subject of a Sustainability Appraisal. The appraisal will ensure that the plan conforms to the concepts of Sustainable Development, and also to ensure it meets the requires of the European Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive.

 

Environmentally responsible development, commonly defined as "development which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

The re-use or redevelopment of decaying or run-down parts of older urban areas to bring them new life and economic vitality.

 

The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 puts uses of land and buildings into various categories, planning permission not being required for changes of use within the same use class unless specified by condition on a previous application. In practice changes between use classes are likely to require planning permission. 

Documentary statement of policy, forming part of a development plan submitted by a local planning authority and requiring formal approval.