Glossary of Terms

Back to Advice Page

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

Please read in conjunction with our Disclaimer
A - Back to top
  Affordable Housing
Housing, whether for rent, shared ownership or outright purchase, provided at a cost considered affordable in relation to incomes that are average or below average, or in relation to the price of general market housing
  Agricultural Dwelling
A dwelling which is subject to a planning condition or legal agreement restricting occupation to someone employed, or was last employed, in agriculture, forestry or other appropriate rural employment.
  Amenity
A positive element or elements that contribute to the overall character or enjoyment of an area. For example, open land, trees, historic buildings and the inter-relationship between them, or less tangible factors such as tranquillity.
  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 within a given time, against conditions attached to permission, against the issue of an enforcement notice and against refusals of listed building and conservation area consent.

In England and Wales, appeals are processed by the Planning Inspectorate.
  Approval notice
A notice issued by a local authority where they consider that the plans show that the work would comply with building regulations
  Archaeological Assessment (Archaeological Evaluation)
An assessment of the potential archaeological interest of a site or building. This can be either a desk-based assessment or a field assessment, involving ground survey and small-scale pits or trial trenching carried out by professionally qualified archaeologist(s) looking for historical remains.
  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, AONB represent the nation's finest landscapes. AONB are designated in Wales by the Countryside Council for Wales.

 
B - Back to top
  Bio-diversity
The whole variety of life encompassing all genetics, species and ecosystem variations, including plans and animals.
  Biomass
Living matter within an environmental area, for example plant material, vegetation, or agricultural waste used as a fuel or energy source.
  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 inspector (Building control officer)
Another name for a building control surveyor
  Building notice
A building regulation submission which does not include full plans of the work
  Building regulations submission
A notice of intention to carry out work, and full plans or a building notice, and the appropriate charge payment, submitted prior to commencement of work
  Bund
An artificial mound or embankment used to either screen a site from view, or reduce noise emissions
C - Back to top
  Change of Use
A change in the way that land or buildings are used (see Use Classes). Planning permission is usually necessary in order to change from one 'use class' to another.
  Chief Planning Officer
The lead planning officer at a local authority. Some authorities use the title Head of Planning
  Civic Amenity Site (CA site)
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.
  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.
  Completion certificate
A certificate issued by a local authority on completion, indicating that work complies with building regulations
  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, for the construction of a major road or the redevelopment of certain brownfield sites.
  Conditions (or 'planning condition')
Requirements attached to a planning permission to limit, control or direct the manner in which a development is carried out.
  Conservation Area
Areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.
  Conservation Area Consent
Consent required for the demolition of an unlisted building within a conservation area.
  Contaminated Land
Land 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
  Conversions
Generally means the physical work necessary to 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.
  Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)
The organisation responsible for advising government and taking action on issues affecting the social, economic and environmental well being of the Welsh countryside
  Curtilage
The area normally within the boundaries of a property surrounding the main building and used in connection with it.
D - Back to top
  Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
DCLG is the successor department to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). It is an expanded department with a powerful new remit to promote community cohesion and equality, as well as responsibility for housing, urban regeneration, planning and local government
  Design Commission for Wales
The Design Commission for Wales is a national organisation established and core funded by the National Assembly for Wales. DCFW's mission is to champion high standards of architecture, landscape and urban design in Wales and promote a wider understanding of the importance of good quality in the built environment.
  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 (or Full application)
A planning application seeking full permission for a development proposal, with no matters reserved for later planning approval.
  Determination
The process by which a local planning authority reaches a decision on 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.
  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.

It also includes the new-look Regional Spatial Strategies and Development Plan Documents prepared under the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act of 2004.
  Disabled Access
The means by which disabled people (as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) can conveniently go where they want.
  Dwelling & Dwelling house
A self-contained building or part of a building used as a residential accommodation, and usually housing a single household. A dwelling may be a house, bungalow, flat, maisonette or converted farm building.
E - Back to top
  Elevation
The actual facade (or face) of a building, or a plan showing the drawing of a facade.
  Enforcement Action
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.
  Enforcement Notice
A notice served by a local planning authority setting out the remedial action necessary to put right work or correct an activity that appears to have been undertaken without planning permission.
  Environment Agency
A government 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 management matters 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, usually more significant schemes, 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.
F - Back to top
  Flood plain
Generally low-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.
  Full Application (or Detailed Application)
A planning application seeking full permission for a development proposal, with no matters reserved for later planning approval.
  Full plans
A building regulation submission which includes full plans of the work where it is intended that the plans be vetted for compliance and approved or rejected
G - Back to top
  Green Belt
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 the green belt is 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
  • assist urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land

Green belts are defined in a local planning authority's development plan.
  Greenfield Land or Site
Land (or a defined site) usually farmland, that has not previously been developed.
  Groundwater
An important part of the natural water cycle present underground, within strata known as aquifers.
H - Back to top
  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.
  Highway
A publicly maintained road, together with footways and verges.
I - Back to top
  Infrastructure
Basic services necessary for development to take place, for example, roads, electricity, sewerage, water, education and health facilities.
  Inspection charge
A fee for building control work due after the first inspection of the work has been carried out; the fee covers all necessary inspections of that work
L - Back to top
  Layout
The way buildings, routes and open spaces are placed or laid out on the ground in relation to each other.
  Listed Building
A building of special architectural or historic interest. Listed buildings are graded I, II* or II with grade I being the highest. Listing includes the interior as well as the exterior of the building, and any buildings or permanent structures (e.g. wells within its curtilage).

CADW is responsible for designating buildings for listing in Wales.
  Listed Building Consent
Consent required for the demolition, in whole or in part of a listed building, or for any works of alteration or extension that would affect the character of the building.
  Listed Building Enforcement Notice
A notice issued by a local planning authority 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.
M - Back to top
  Maisonette
A flat with more than one level.
  Mixed use (or mixed use development)
Provision of a mix of complementary uses, such as residential, community and leisure uses, on a site or within a particular area.
O - Back to top
  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, often causing loss of privacy.
P - Back to top
  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.
  Plan charge
A fee for building control work due when full plans are submitted
  Plan vetting
The process of checking plans submitted for compliance with building regulations, by a building control surveyor
  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
  • removal of crown immunity from planning controls.
  Planning Committee
At a planning authority, an appointed body of locally elected councillors that makes decisions on planning matters.
  Planning Condition
Condition attached to a planning permission.
  Planning Gain
The benefits or safeguards, often for community benefit, secured by way of a planning obligation as part of a planning approval and usually provided at the developer's expense. For example, affordable housing, community facilities or mitigation measures.
  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 planning applications, or be sought in detail through full planning applications.
  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. The definition covers the curtilage of the development.
  Public Right of Way
A public right of way is a highway over which the public have a right of access along the route.
R - Back to top
  Radon
A colourless, odourless gas that occurs naturally in almost all soil and rock. Radon migrates through the soil and groundwater and can enter buildings through cracks or other openings in the foundation. Radon can also enter well water. Exposure to radon can cause lung cancer.
  Rejection notice or (Refusal notice)
A notice issued by a local authority where they consider that the plans do not show that the work would comply with building regulations Ammended plans/information would be required and there is no charge for the resubmission, provided there are no major changes to the proposal.
S - Back to top
  Section 106 Agreement
A legal agreement under section 106 of the 1990 Town & Country Planning Act. Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between a planning authority and a developer, or undertakings offered unilaterally by a developer, that ensure that certain extra works related to a development are undertaken. Previously known as section 52 agreement.
  Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
A site identified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by 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.
  Spatial Development
Changes in the distribution of activities in space and the linkages between them in terms of the use and development of land.
  Stopping up
The process whereby public right to use an area of highway are removed, for example where the area is no longer needed as highway or where highway land is needed for a development to take place.  The legal process requires that the public are consulted before a stopping up order is made.
  Submission charge
A fee for building control work due when a building notice is submitted
T - Back to top
  Topography
A description (or visual representation on a map) of the shape of the land, for example, contours or changes in the height of land above sea level.
U - Back to top
  Unauthorised Development
Development that has or is taking place without the benefit of planning permission. It may then risk being the subject of enforcement action.
  Unitary Development Plan (UDP)
An old-style development plan prepared by a metropolitan district and some unitary local authorities, which contains policies equivalent to those in both a structure plan and local plan. These plans will continue to operate for a time after the commencement of the new development plan system, by virtue of specific transitional provisions.
  Use Classes Order
The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 puts uses of land and buildings into various categories. Planning permission is not needed for changes of use within the same use class.
  • A1 Shops
    Shops, post offices, travel agents, hairdressers, funeral directors, dry cleaners.
  • A2 Financial and professional services
    Banks, building societies, betting offices, and other financial and professional service.
  • A3 Food and drink
    Pubs, restaurants, cafes, and hot food takeaways.
  • B1 Business
    Offices, research and development, light industry appropriate in a
    residential area.
  • B2 General industrial
  • B8 Storage and distribution
    including open-air storage.
  • C1 Hotels
    Hotels, boarding and guesthouses where no significant element of care is provided.
  • C2 Residential institutions
    Residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres.
  • C3 Dwellinghouses
    Family houses, or houses occupied by up to six residents living together as a single household, including a household where care is provided for residents.
  • D1 Non-residential institutions
    Surgeries, nurseries, day centres, schools, art galleries, museums, libraries, halls, churches.
  • D2 Assembly and leisure
    Cinemas, concert halls, bingo and dance halls, casinos, swimming baths, skating rinks, gymnasiums or sports arenas (except for motor sports, or where firearms are used).

Uses for which no classes are specified are known as 'sui generis'. This includes theatres, amusement arcades, launderettes and dry cleaners, car showrooms, taxi or hire car premises, scrap yards, and prisons.
V - Back to top
  Visibility Splay
Access around a road junction or access, which should be free from rival obstruction to evade motorists to see there traffic and pedestrians.