GLOSSARY

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Affordable housing is housing of an adequate standard, which is cheaper than that which is generally available in the local housing market. It is subsidised housing that is made available for people in housing need who cannot afford either to rent at market rents or to buy on the open market.

ALLOCATION

Designation of land in the Plan for a particular use such as housing.

ANCIENT WOODLAND

Woods which have had a continuous history of tree cover since at least 1600 to the present and which now bear stands of native trees which were not obviously planted.

AREA OF SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT CONTROL

For the purposes of advertisement control the Local Planning Authority may designate an Area of Special Control where it is considered that the ordinary powers for controlling the display of advertisements are inadequate.

ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION

Article 4 Directions are made by local authorities to bring within planning control work which would otherwise qualify as permitted development.

BACKLAND DEVELOPMENT

Land located behind a street frontage which is not directly visible from the street and is surrounded by other development. Includes rear gardens and private yards etc as well as larger undeveloped sited.

‘BEST VALUE’

The Government’s proposal to place duty on local government to delivery economy, efficiently, effectiveness and service quality without an excess of laws, regulations and guidance.

BIOMASS

Agricultural and forestry wastes that can be used to provide energy.

BRIDLEWAYS

Use is permitted for walkers, horse-riders (including led horses), cyclists pushing or riding pedal cycles and invalid carriages. Apart from the latter, no powered vehicles are permitted.

BROWNFIELD SITES

Sites that have been, or currently are, subject to some form of built development (eg former hospital),

BUILDING PRESERVATION NOTICE

The Local Planning Authority has powers to serve Building Preservation Notices under Section 3 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. It has the effect of giving temporary listing to a building, for a period of six months, until such a time as the Secretary of State decides whether or not to include it in the statutory list under Section 1 of the Act.

BUILDING REGULATIONS PART M

Standards which relate to disabled access in new or extended buildings.

CAR-FREE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS

The layout design of this type of housing area would not incorporate car parking provision at individual homes, but allow for full access by emergency services and other essential vehicles throughout the estate. It is likely that prospective residents would be expected to sign some form of legal agreement, tied to their house purchase or rental, whereby they would agree to forego use of a privately owned car, and agree to participate in a communal car pool arrangement.

CATCHMENT AREA

The area surrounding a shopping centre from which it draws its customers. This area is also known as the hinterland.

CHANGE OF USE

The use of a building or other land for a different purpose. In considering a change of use it is normally necessary to establish whether the change is “material” and whether by virtue of the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) development requiring planning permission is involved.

CIRCULAR 1/97

Contains government advice on the validity and materiality of ‘planning obligations’.

COASTAL PROTECTION BELT

An area defined within the Essex & Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan (April 2001). The Coastal Protection Belt comprises the rural undeveloped coastline of Essex, within this area development proposals will be resisted. The Boundary of the Belt is shown on the proposals map.

CO₂ EMISSIONS

Reference to the emissions of Carbon Dioxide arising from the use of fossil fuels.

CODE SYSTEM OPERATORS

The Telecommunications Act (1984) gives some operators special rights and obligations (set out in Schedule 2 of the Act – the ‘telecommunications code’). These operators are therefore known as code system operators.

COMMERCIAL USES

Refers to the range of retail, industrial, warehousing and office uses found in mixed use areas, but also including leisure and community uses.

COMMONS

Those registered under the Commons Registration Act 1965.

COMMUTED PAYMENT

Sum payable for the provision of for example parking, public open space or other community facilities and/or the maintenance there of.

COMPARISON GOODS (OR DURABLE GOODS)

Household items which are generally larger and more expensive than convenience goods; includes furniture, electrical appliances, DIY goods, etc. So called because shoppers may visit a number of shops to make comparisons of price and quality.

CONDITIONS

Clauses attached to a planning permission considered necessary, relevant, enforceable, precise and reasonable to enable a development ot proceed where it might otherwise be necessary to refuse permission.

CONSERVATION AREA

An area designated under Section 69 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as an area where it is desirable to preserve or enhance the character of its special architectural or historic interest.

CONSERVATION AREA CONSENT

Formal consent for the demolition of certain buildings within a Conservation Area (Sections 74 and 75 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990).

CONVENIENCE GOODS

Goods which are bought relatively frequently, even daily, comprising such items as foodstuffs and newspapers.

COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION AREA

An area given special protection from any development likely to harm its scenic, ecological or historic importance.

COUNTY MATTER

A planning application which falls to be determined by the County Council and not the Borough Council.

CRITICAL ENVIROMENTAL CAPITAL

These are the key environmental, historic, cultural, social and economic features of the Borough which the Council wishes to safeguard and promote.

DEDHAM RECREATION CAPACITY STUDY

A series of questionnaires involving residents, traders, visitors and local interest groups and a number of car park studies to assess the number of visitors who came to Dedham and what problems this causes.

DEDHAM VALE AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY (AONB)

Environmentally sensitive land designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 for its special landscape value.

DEFRA

Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Central Government).

DENSITY

Used as a means of expressing the intensity of a development against a stated measure. Normally applied in quantifying residential development in terms of the number of dwellings per hectare.

DESIGN BRIEF

A statement prepared by the Local Planning Authority indicating the preferred way in which the Authority envisages the development of a particular site. The Design Brief will specify such details (for example the height of buildings, colour and type of materials, preferred landscaping, car parking requirements, etc) that the Local Planning Authority consider appropriate for the development of that site.

DEVELOPMENT

The carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, and over or under land or the making of a material change in the use of any buildings or other land.

DTI

Department of Trade and Industry (Central Government).

DWELLINGHOUSE

A building used as a dwelling by an individual, by people living together as a family or by not more than six residents living together as a single household. This can include individuals living together in the community not withstanding that an element of care is provided eg persons who have formerly been in an institution of some kind.

EAST COLCHESTER INITIATIVE

This is a long term initiative which includes a single regeneration budget bid (SRB) to promote regeneration of East Colchester and the Hythe area.

ENERGY CROPS

Short rotational coppicing of willow/poplar trees, straw burning etc.

ENGLISH HERITAGE

(The Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Commission). A body established by the Government to advise the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the preservation of ancient monuments and historic buildings, the preservation and enhancement of Conservation Areas and to promote their public enjoyment.

ENGLISH NATURE

The statutory body which looks to achieve, enable and promote nature conservation in England.

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

A Government created body with wide ranging responsibilities for managing water resources, including pollution control and flood defence.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

A written evaluation of the effect on the environment of a proposed development (also known as an Environmental Impact Statement).

ESSEX DESIGN GUIDE

Prepared by the Essex County Council, the 1997 Design Guide for residential and mixed use areas forms the basis for the design of new development in the Borough.

ESSEX SHORELINE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Part of the Shoreline Management Plan for the East Coast, the Essex Shoreline Management Plan aims to provide the basis for sustainable coastal defence policy and set objectives for the future management of the Shoreline. This project involves the participation of the coastal local authorities of Essex and the Environment Agency (Anglian Region).

ESSEX STRUCTURE PLAN

The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan was adopted in April 2001. It sets out the overall development strategy for Essex and Southend-on-Sea and the strategic policies over the longer term, looking some 10-15 years ahead. The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure plan covers the period up to 2011.

ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST

An organisation that works both in its own right, and in conjunction with local authorities and other bodies, to protect the wildlife heritage of Essex.

EXCEPTIONS HOUSING

Housing permitted outside, but abutting, existing village envelopes that properly qualifies as ‘affordable housing’.

FORMAL LEISURE AND RECREATION USES

Formal leisure uses are recreational activities generally carried out in a more organised fashion, often within the context of club membership and/or using purpose-built private or publicly owned facilities, and including golf, swimming and motor cycle scrambling.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT ORDER

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended) sets out those categories of development which may be carried out without the need to apply for planning permission (called “permitted development”).

‘GRAMPIAN’ CONDITION

A condition attached to a planning permission, which states that, until a certain action is taken or obligation fulfilled, development, or a certain phase of development, cannot go ahead (eg off-site improvements to the local road network should be completed, financed by the developer, before the second phase of a major housing development scheme can be occupied).

TRAVEL PLANS

Businesses and other organisations arrangements for their employees travel both to work and during their work.

GREENFIELD SITES

Sites that are not, and have never been, subject to any kind of built development (eg are currently in agricultural use).

GREEN LINKS

A continuous chain of open spaces and the links between them.

GYPSIES

Persons of nomadic habit of life, whatever their race or origin, but does not include members of an organised group of travelling showpeople, or of persons engaged in travelling circuses, travelling together as such, or ‘new age travellers’.

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Substances which are or can be corrosive, poisonous, inflammable or harmful if not treated correctly.

HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE

A body that provides advice and guidance on the nature and severity of risks presented by identified hazardous sites, installations etc. They are also responsible for notifying local authorities of relevant “consultation zones” around such sites and installations.

HOME ZONES

One or more residential streets in a housing area where the road layouts and alignments have been altered to encourage reduced driving speed by motorised traffic to the benefit of vulnerable users of the highway, including cyclists, pedestrians and children at play. A more restrictive speed limit (20 mph or less) would be in force. In actual effect, priority is given to non-motorised street users, and cars travel at little more than walking pace.

HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS

Independent non-profit making organisations for managing, building and improving housing. Funded by the Government through the Housing Corporation or by private borrowing.

HOUSING DENSITY

Number of houses per acre/hectare.

HOUSING STOCK

Total residential accommodation in the Borough comprising all housing types and tenure.

HOUSING TENURE

Dwellings in either owner-occupation, that are rented or a mixture of the two (ie shared ownership).

INFILL DEVELOPMENT

The development of a small gap in an otherwise continuous frontage of built development.

INFORMAL LEISURE AND RECREATION USES

Informal leisure uses are recreational activities normally undertaken on a casual, unorganised and/or spontaneous basis by individuals or small groups of people, and including walking, jogging and fishing.

INFRASTRUCTURE

A detailed network of services to which most buildings/people are connected.

LANDSCAPING

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.

LEAP’S

Local Environment Agency Plans are being developed on a river catchment basis throughout England and Wales. They seek to maximise the benefits of integrated river basin management.

LIGHT SPILLAGE

Excessive or poorly controlled lighting discharges.

LISTED BUILDING

Building included and described in the statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural and Historic Interest published by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Listed Buildings are considered worthy of special protection because of their architecture, history or other notable features. Listed Building Consent must be obtained from the Council before they can be altered, demolished or extended.

LOCAL AGENDA 21

LA21 is a locally defined version of the agreement drawn up at the 1992 Rio “Earth” Summit. It is an action plan that emphasises the role of local communities and local authorities in shaping and delivering sustainable development.

LOCAL NATURE RESERVES (LNR’S)

Sites of special natural interest which are designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

LOCAL PLAN

The main purposes are:

• To develop the policies and general proposals of the Structure Plan and to relate them to precise areas of land

• To provide a detailed basis for development control

• To provide a detailed basis for co-ordinating the development and other use of land

• To bring local and detailed planning issues before the public.

A Local Plan consists of a Proposals Map and a Written Statement.

LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN (LTP)

The Local Transport Plan (LTP) is prepared by local authorities and is used to bid for funding from Central Government for new and improved transport infrastructure.

MANAGED RETREAT/SETBACK

Involving the modifying or removal of the original sea wall to create a new intertidal area between this and a new line of defence further back. The creation of saltings acts as a sea defence in itself, absorbing wave energy and creating a nature conservation resource.

MATERIAL PLANNING CONSIDERATION

A factor to be taken into account when making a planning decision.

MONITORING

The process of collecting and checking information about what actually happens once a Plan or policy is implemented, to see whether changes need to be made to the Plan in response to changing circumstances.

MULTIPLEX CINEMA

Multi-screen cinema complex.

NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE

Sections 16 to 29 of the national Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 in England enabled the Nature Conservancy Council for England (NCCE), now English Nature, to establish nature reserves. These provisions were reinforced by the Wildlife Countryside Act 1981. Nature reserve sites are areas of national and sometimes international significance for nature conservation which are owned or leased by English Nature or an approved body with nature reserve agreements with landowners and occupiers.

NATURA 2000

Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas together form a network of protected sites across the EU called ‘Natura2000’.

OBJECTIVES

Long term initiatives which act as performance indicators for the Plan’s policies and proposals.

ODPM

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Central Government) who publish national advice on planning matters

PARK AND RIDE

Parking at the edge of a town and continuing the journey to the centre by connecting bus or rail service.

PARKING STANDARDS

The Council’s requirements for both car and cycle parking provision ancillary to development.

PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT (RIGHTS)

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended) identifies the extent of development that can take place without the necessity of applying for planning permission. Development that does not require planning permission is known as permitted development.

PERSONAL PERMISSION

A planning permission to be exercised only by the applicant and not to run with the land or premises.

PHOTOVOLTAICS

Solar modules work on the principle of the photovoltaic effect. This is the conversion of light into electricity that occurs when a PV cell is struck by photons of light.

PLANNING AND COMPENSATION ACT 1991

The Act made the preparation of a district wide local plan mandatory.

PLANNING OBLIGATION

Legal agreement made between a developer and the local authority under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or a unilateral undertaking by the developer alone, by which the developer undertakes to carry out works, make payments, or agree to certain conditions covering matters which are outside the scope of a planning permission and which may include off-site works.

PLANNING PERMISSION

Approval required for the development of land from the local planning authority.

PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE NOTES (PPG’S)

A series of advice notes issued by the Government relating to policy and practice to be taken into account by local planning authorities in dealing with planning issues. There are being replaced with Planning Policy Statements (PPS) from Central Government.

PPG1 - General Policy and Principles

PPG2 - Green Belts

PPG3 - Housing

PPG4 - Industrial and Commercial Development and Small Firms

PPG5 - Simplified Planning Zones

PPG6 - Town Centres and Retail Developments

PPG7 - The Countryside

PPG8 - Telecommunications

PPG9 - Nature Conservation

PPG12 - Development Plans

PPG13 - Transport

PPG14 - Development on Unstable Land

PPG15 - Planning and the Historic Environment

PPG16 - Archaeology and Planning

PPG17 - Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation

PPG18 - Enforcing Planning Control

PPG19 - Outdoor Advertisement Control

PPG20 - Coastal Planning

PPG21 - Tourism

PPG22 - Renewal Energy

PPG23 - Planning and Pollution Control

PPG24 - Planning and Noise

RPG9 - Regional Planning Guidance for the South East

PLAY AREA

Piece of land reserved and laid out for children’s play, either forming part of a larger open space (eg a park) or in a residential area. Usually provided with purpose-designed play equipment.

PRIMARY ROAD NETWORK

Motorways, trunk roads, ‘A’ roads and other primary routes not included in these first three categories.

PRIVATE OPEN SPACE

Privately owned land, generally used for recreation or leisure activities (including active or passive uses), but restricted by owner to certain groups (eg private sports grounds, school playing fields and grounds of large institutions).

PROPOSALS MAP

Statutory part of Local Plan showing, in map form, where policies of Plan apply.

PROTECTED LANES

Lanes designated by the County Council as either making a significant contribution to the character of the countryside of having a particular historic value.

PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

Outdoor area used for recreation, which is open freely to the public and is owned by a local authority.

QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIPS

Whereby local bus operators provide a better quality service level or standard of vehicle (eg higher frequency service or low level bus entry platforms to suit disabled people or parents with buggies) in return for the Local Authority improving conditions along bus routes for the operators (eg ‘bus-only’ lanes).

RAMSAR SITE

A Ramsar Site is a wetland of international importance. The Ramsar convention was signed in the city of Ramsar, Iran in 1971. Many countries are Contracting Parties, including Great Britain. Signatories are committed to the designation of wetlands of international importance, as defined by internationally agreed criteria. There are 73 Ramsar sites designated or proposed in the UK. A Ramsar designation requires the local planning authority to ensure adequate provision of the habitat for the important wildfowl and plants.

RATRUNS

‘ Short cuts’ using local roads to avoid traffic congestion on the main roads.

‘REAL TIME’ INFORMATION SYSTEMS

These provide bus or train passengers with up-to-the-minute information concerning the probably arrival time of the next bus or train at their stop or terminal. A long established example of this is found on the London Underground network.

REGENERATION

Renewal, rehabilitation of former derelict or under used sites.

REGIONAL PLANNING GUIDANCE (RPG)

Policy advice issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) for specific regions, these set out broad strategic policies and strategic targets for county structure plans. Current regional guidance covering the Borough is found in RPG9.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

The term used to describe those energy flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment from the sun, wind and oceans, plants and the fall of water. It also refers to the energy available in wastes and from the earth itself.

RETAIL USE

Any form of retailing which is included in Class A1 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. Does not cover shops for the sale of prepared food and drink.

RETAIL WAREHOUSE

Large usually single storey warehouse for the display and sale of comparison goods to the public. Usually free-standing with large surface car park for customers and usually located in purpose-built retail parks.

SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT

Ancient structures which are preserved by order of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. It is an offence to carry out any works to an Ancient Monument without consent of the Secretary of State.

SCHEME OF MITIGATION/MITIGATION SCHEME

An identified list of measures that will be implemented in order to abate potentially harmful environmental impacts arising from new development.

SECTION 39 AGREEMENT

Section 39 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 allows the local authority and a landowner to enter into a voluntary agreement on how land should be managed for the benefit of wildlife and people.

SECTION 106 AGREEMENT

Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows the local authority to enter into legally enforceable agreements with “any person interested in land in their area for the purpose of restricting or regulating the development or use of land…”

‘SEQUENTIAL TEST’

Mechanism for choosing the most appropriate location for particular types of development as set out in various Planning Policy Guidance notes.

SHELTERED HOUSING

Purpose built housing for the provision of specialist residential accommodation for vulnerable groups in the community, such as the mentally ill, disabled people, the elderly and young, single and homeless people.

SHOPMOBILITY SCHEME

Electric and hand powered wheelchairs which can be borrowed by disabled people in the Town Centre to improve their access to pedestrianised streets.

SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST (S.S.S.I.)

An area designated as such by English Nature in view of its particular national value and interest as a site for nature conservation and wildlife habitat.

SITE OF IMPORTANCE FOR NATURE CONSERVATION (S.I.N.C.)

An area identified as an important habitat at County level by the Essex Wildlife Trust.

SOLAR POWER

Energy generated by utilising the power of the sun.

SPECIAL AREA OF CONSERVATION (SAC)

A site of international importance designated under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (the Habitats Directive).

SPECIAL LANDSCAPE AREAS (SLA)

These are areas where conservation or restoration of existing landscape character should be given high priority. Special Landscape Areas boundaries reflect the Borough’s Countryside Conservation Areas boundaries, which are shown on the Proposals Map. These designations will be reviewed once the Borough has carried out a Landscape Character Assessment.

SPECIAL PROTECTION AREA (SPA)

Identified as an important habitat for rare and vulnerable birds under the European Commission directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (Directive 79/409/EEC)

SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE (SPG)

Supplementary material such as design guides and planning briefs which set out planning requirements or advice at a greater level of detail than appropriate for inclusion in the Local Plan.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Defined in Planning Policy Guidance Note 1 as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

SUSTRANS

Sustainable Transport. A Charity involved in establishing a national cycle network.

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990

Combines with the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 this Act forms the legal basis of the current planning system.

TOWN CRAMMING

The general trend to intensify development within towns and villages resulting from building on open spaces or redeveloping sites at much higher density.

TOWNSCAPE

Those elements, including buildings and groups of buildings, trees, views, street furniture and shop fronts, which make up the appearance and contribute to the character of the town.

TRAFFIC CALMING

A range of measures taken on the street to slow the average speed of motorised traffic for the benefit of other more vulnerable road users, including cyclists, pedestrians and disabled people. Typical traffic-calming measures will include lower speed limits, anti-speed barriers across the street (eg ‘sleeping policemen’) and road narrowings to form ‘pinch points’ in the highway network. Such measures will also be aimed at improvement of the street environment.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME

A scheme to promote more efficient traffic movement in a given area, and/or improve the area’s environment, by rearranging traffic flows, controlling intersections and regulating times and places for parking.

TREE PRESERVATION ORDER (TPO)

Special protection given to an individual or a group of trees for which consent is required from the local authority to top, lop or fell.

UNSTABLE LAND

Land that is unstable due to underground cavities, unstable slopes or compression of ground.

URBAN FRINGE

Area immediately outside the built up area of town lying between the suburbs and the open countryside. Generally under most pressure for new development.

USE CLASSES ORDER

The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended), which groups land uses into categories (called “use classes”). Changes of use between the classes requires planning permission, with certain exceptions defined by the General Permitted Development Order. (see above)

VILLAGE ENVELOPE

A line drawn round a village on an Ordnance Survey base map to show an outer limit for new housing, employment and retail development.

‘WINDFALL’ SITES

Sites suitable for housing which come forward during the period of the Plan but which have not been individually identified during its preparation.