Jargon Buster

Affordable Housing (or sub-market housing)
Housing, whether for rent, shared ownership or outright purchase, provided at a cost considered affordable in relation to average or below-average incomes, or in relation to the price of general market housing.

 

Agricultural (Forestry or Other Rural Occupational) Dwelling
A dwelling which is subject to a planning condition or legal agreement restricting occupation to someone employed, or last employed, in agriculture, forestry or other appropriate rural employment.

 

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.

 

Blight
In general terms, blight is the negative effect on an area or property caused by potential development proposals, for example a proposed major new road.

 

Brownfield Land and Sites
Previously developed land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure, including the curtilage of the developed land and any associated fixed surface infrastructure.

 

Buffer Zone
An area of land separating certain types of development from adjoining sensitive land uses. Often used in relation to minerals and/or waste development.

 

Change of Use
A change in the way that land or buildings are used. Planning permission is usually necessary in order to change from one 'use class' to another.

 

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.

 

 

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’ with their planning application. This evaluates the likely environmental impacts of the development, together with an assessment of how their severity could be reduced.

 

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.

 

Greenfield Land or Site
Land (or a defined site), usually farmland, that has not previously been built on.

 

Infill Development
Inserting a building in a relatively small gap between existing buildings.

 

Listed Building
A building of special architectural or historical 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. walls within its curtilage). 

English Heritage is responsible for designating buildings for listing in England.

 

Outstanding Planning Permission
A current planning permission that has yet to be implemented.

 

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.

 

 

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, which ensure that certain extra works related to a development are undertaken.

 

Urban Fringe
The urban fringe is the transitional area between urban areas and the countryside. It can provide a valuable resource for sport and recreation, particularly in situations where there is an absence of land within urban areas to meet provision.

 

Vernacular Building
A building built without being designed by an architect or engineer or someone with similar formal training, often based on traditional or regional forms.

 

 

Zero-carbon Home
A house in which, over a year, the net carbon emissions from all energy-use are zero. This includes energy-use from cooking, washing and electronic entertainment appliances, heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and hot water.