Affordable Housing
Housing available over the long term to local households who are not able to
meet their own housing needs through buying or renting on the open market. Under
Policy H11 “local” in this context means housing people who initially
have connections or have had previous connections with the settlement or parish.
Consideration may then be given to the adjoining parish and finally the wider
district. Under Policy H12 “local“ in this context means housing
people who have connections or have had previous long standing connections with
the settlement or parish and this should normally continue with the re-lets.
Agenda 21
An international action plan aiming to tackle social, economic and environmental
problems which came from the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. A key recommendation
is that local authorities should develop their own Agenda 21 programmes.
Agricultural Worker’s Dwelling
Accommodation essential (due to the demands of the farming or forestry work
concerned, as opposed to the personal preferences or circumstances of any individuals
involved) to enable farm or forestry workers to live at or in the immediate
vicinity of their place of work, wherein the relaxation of strict controls on
new development in the open countryside may be justified.
Agricultural Land Classification
A classification undertaken by DEFRA to indicate the quality of agricultural
land. The classification ranges from ‘excellent’ to ‘very
poor’ over five grades. It concentrates on the inherent physical attributes
of land and not its current management. Grades 1, 2 and 3a represent the best
and most versatile land.
Amenity
Defined in the Concise Oxford Dictionary as “pleasantness”, which
in turn is what is “agreeable to mind, feelings or senses”.
Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland
Woodland considered to have existed since at least 1600 which although modified
by man, supports species which are dependent on the long history of the woodland.
AONB
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated by the Countryside Commission
under Section 87 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949,
with the primary aim of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape.
Article 4 Direction
A direction issued by the Local Planning Authority under Article 4 of the Town
and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, which has the
affect of bringing minor types of development, that can normally be carried
out without planning permission, within the scope of planning control.
Baseline Sites
The baseline housing provision will definitely be released for housing development;
the reserve site figure (see below) may be released if monitoring requires it.
Biodiversity
Biological diversity - the variety of all life forms; genetic diversity. It
is used as a nature conservation term to refer to diversity or richness of species
and habitats.
Biomass
Refers to plant matter, either in the form of intensively grown crops or forest
residues which are processed and used as fuel in a wood burning power station.
Brownfield Site
A site which has previously been developed and has not been restored to agriculture,
forestry or recreation land. The current definition includes residential gardens
but does not include agricultural land or buildings.
Buffer Zone
An area of land on which development is not permitted in order to maintain adequate
distance between sensitive areas and potentially harmful development.
B1, B2, B8
Specific uses defined by the Town and Country Planning Use Classes (Amendment)
Order 2005:
B1. Business: B1a - Offices other than within Class A2 (Financial and professional
Services);
B1b - Research and development laboratories; studios; B1c - Light industry
B2. General Industrial
B8. Storage and distribution - wholesale warehouse, distribution centres, repositories.
Circular (Government Circular)
Statements of Government policy, often supplying guidance or background information
on legislative or procedural matters, which may prove to be a material consideration
in the determination of a planning application if relevant to the decision.
Conservation Area
Conservation Areas are areas of special architectural and/or historical interest,
designated by the Local Planning Authority under section 69 of the Planning
(Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the character or appearance
of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. They focus on the value of
all the broad elements, including the group value of buildings, open spaces,
trees, traditional street patterns or features of historic or architectural
interest, which make up a particularly attractive townscape.
Contaminated Land
Contaminated land is land on which toxic substances have built up, either through
man-made developments or processes (such as old gas works, sewage works, landfill
sites, and industrial sites) or through the discharge of gases naturally occurring
in the earth. Contamination can pose a threat both to the health of future users
of the site and to the surrounding environment if the contaminants escape and
cause pollution.
Countryside
Land outside the defined settlement boundaries of towns and villages (as shown
on the Proposals Map).
Cultural Heritage
Cultural and historic features, including archaeological sites, historic buildings
and Conservation Areas, which form an important element of the local landscape
and character, and a record of the area’s past.
Curtilage
The area attached to a property as part of its enclosure.
dB(A)
A unit of noise measurement (in decibels) measured on a sound level meter in
a similar way to the human ear. A change of 3dB(A) is the minimum perceptible
under normal conditions, an increase of 10dB(A) corresponds roughly to doubling
the loudness of sound.
DEFRA
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Development
The carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on,
over or under land, or the making of any material change of use of any buildings
or other land.
Development Brief
A document which outlines detailed planning requirements of the development
for a site, particularly allocations of the Local Plan (for example in terms
of layout, design, materials and infrastructure provision). Development Briefs
will be subject to public consultation.
Development Plan
The development plan comprises all the adopted or approved statutory planning
documents for an area including structure plans, local plans and minerals and
waste local plans. Where an adopted or approved development plan contains relevant
policies, planning applications or appeals must be determined in accordance
with the plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
Distributor Road
A road which distributes traffic within an area and forms the link between more
major roads and local roads.
District Centre
Groups of shops usually containing at least one food supermarket or superstore
and non-retail services such as banks, building societies and restaurants.
DTLR
Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.
Dwelling
Any type of living accommodation (house, bungalow, flat, maisonette, annex etc.),
however provided (new build, conversion, sub-division or change of use) other
than for institutional use.
Ecosystem
A community of interdependant organisms and the environment they inhabit, such
as ponds and pond life.
Edge-of-centre
A location within easy walking distance of the centre, providing parking facilities
that serve the centre as well as the site, thus enabling one trip to serve several
purposes.
Environment Agency
A Government Agency which started its work of managing the environment on 1
April 1996. The agency combines the responsibilities of the National Rivers
Authority, the Pollution lnspectorate and local waste regulation authorities.
The agency seeks to protect and improve the quality of air, land and water by
the regulation of emissions, pollutants and other potentially harmful activities.
Environmental Appraisal
In the context of development plans, an environmental appraisal is an explicit,
systematic and iterative review of the policies and proposals of the plan, undertaken
by the local planning authority, to evaluate their individual and combined impacts
on the environment.
Environmental Assessment
The term environmental assessment describes a technique and process by which
information about the environmental effects of a particular project is collected,
both by the developer and from other sources, and taken into account by the
local planning authority in forming their judgement on whether the development
should go ahead. Environmental assessment is only required, or may be required,
for a limited range of developments which are likely to have significant effects
on the environment by virtue of their nature, size or location.
Environmentally Sensitive Location
Areas which may be locally, nationally or internationally important for their
nature conservation, landscape and/or heritage value.
Farm Diversification
Alternative on-farm business enterprises to augment farm income to help maintain
the agricultural holding.Fossil Fuels
Carbon-based fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas.
Fuel Poverty
When a household spends 10% or more of its income to achieve a satisfactory
heating regime, i.e. 21 degrees centigrade in the living room and 18 degrees
centigrade in other habitable rooms.
Greenfield Land/Sites
Land or sites which have not been previously developed.
Groundwater
Water held in water-bearing rocks and pores and fissures underground. Groundwater
not only sustains the flow of water in rivers but is also an essential source
of water for public supply, industry and agriculture.
Habitat
The customary dwelling place of a species or distinct community of plants and
animals, having particular characteristics (for example: heathland).
Housing Corporation
Government body which provides funding for affordable housing and regulates
registered social landlords.
Infilling/Infill Development
New development which occupies gaps within built-up areas between existing developments.
Infrastructure
The system of communications and utility services (water, sewerage, sewage disposal,
land drainage, gas and electricity, waste disposal and telecommunications) which
serves developments.
In-Looking
In-looking is where people outside the curtilage of the property can see into
the private rooms of the property.
Integrated Transport Strategy
An approach co-ordinating land-use and transportation planning; a strategy which
identifies the transportation requirements for an area taking into account its
economic, environmental and social needs. The package of proposals developed
from strategies include public transport, walking, cycling, traffic management
and highway improvements.
Key worker dwellings
Anyone who provides a ‘local public service’ and is employed in
the public rather than the private sector.
Landscape Assessment
A broad term encompassing several techniques of describing, analysing, classifying
and evaluating the landscape.
Landscape Character
A distinct pattern or combination of elements occurring consistently in a particular
landscape.
Legal Agreement
Agreement between a developer and the local planning authority constituting
a planning obligation.
Listed building
A building officially listed as being of special architectural or historic interest
as defined in the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
They are selected by the Secretary of State for National Heritage and documented
in the national Statutory Lists of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic
Interest.
LNR
Local Nature Reserves usually managed by local planning authorities for their
nature conservation value.
Local Plan
A land-use plan for a local area (normally a District) or specific topic (particularly
minerals and waste). A local plan is prepared and adopted by a local planning
authority in accordance with Structure Plan policies. It sets out detailed policies
to guide development, including proposals for specific sites.
Modal Split
The proportion of trips by different types of transport, e.g. walking, cycling,
bus, train and car.
Monitoring
The collection of data on a regular basis to determine how well the policies
of the Plan are being implemented.
Non-Renewable Resources
Materials and energy forms which, once used up, cannot be recreated naturally,
such as coal, oil and rainforest timber.
NNR
National Nature Reserves, declared under section 19 of the National Parks and
Access to the Countryside Act 1949, or section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981. These are areas of national, and sometimes international, importance
primarily used for nature conservation, which are owned or leased by English
Nature or bodies approved by them, or are managed in accordance with Nature
Reserve Agreements with landowners and occupiers.
Out-of-centre
A location that is clearly separate from a town centre but not necessarily outside
the urban area.
Overlooking
Overlooking is where people can look into the garden / open area of a neighbouring
property from within their own homes / buildings.
Overshadowing
Overshadowing occurs when a structure blocks sunlight from neighbouring properties
on the northern side of that structure. It can affect the amount of daylight
let into neighbouring properties when the shadow cast falls across windows or
glazed doors.
Pollution
Pollution is the release of substances into the environment. This may harm human
health, property or organisms supported by the wider environment. Pollution
can be released into the air or water or can contaminate land.
Planning Condition
A condition imposed on a planning permission to enable a proposal to proceed
where it would otherwise be necessary to refuse permission. Conditions must
be: necessary; relevant to planning; relevant to the development to be permitted;
enforceable; precise; and reasonable in all other respects.
Planning Obligation
An agreement or undertaking by a developer (to run with the land in question),
entered into by deed and enforceable by the local planning authority. The obligation
must be directly related to the proposed development and to the use of the land
after completion, or designed to secure the implementation of local plan policies
or sufficiently offset the loss of, or impact on, any amenity or resource present
on the site prior to development, that the development ought not to be permitted
without.
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)
Planning Policy Guidance notes, which set out the Government’s policies
on different aspects of planning, and which should be taken into account by
local planning authorities in the preparation of development plans and in the
determination of planning applications.
Previously Developed Land
Land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure (excluding agricultural
or forestry buildings) and associated infrastructure. This covers the curtilage
of the development as well as the structure itself. This definition is set out
in more detail in Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 ‘Housing’.
Priority Habitat Type/Species
Endangered species or habitats (defined in the Habitats Directive) which should
be subject to special conservation measures in order to ensure their survival.
The deliberate disturbance of these species or deterioration or destruction
of breeding sites or resting places is strictly prohibited.
Protected Species
Species (both plant and animal) protected under the Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981, as amended, and other specific legislation (such as The Badgers Act
1991). Examples include: Bats (all species are protected); the Sand Lizard;
the Smooth Snake; the Red Squirrel; and Early Spider Orchid.
Ramsar Sites
Areas designated under the Ramsar Convention to protect wetlands that are of
international importance, particularly as waterfowl habitats. All Ramsar Sites
are SSSIs.
Regional Planning Guidance (RPG)
Guidance issued by the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the
Regions setting out Government policy to guide development in the region and
provide a framework for Structure Plan reviews. (Regional Planning Guidance
for the South East, which includes Hampshire, was published in March 2001).
Registered Social Landlord
A Housing Association or a not for profit organisation registered by the Housing
Corporation to provide affordable housing.
Renewable Energy/Resources
Energy forms/resources that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment.
Energy generated from combustible or digestible waste materials is also regarded
as renewable, in addition to natural forms, such as wind and tidal power.
Reserve Sites
Housing provision additional to the baseline housing provision (see above),
which will be released for development if monitoring requires it.
SAC
Special Areas of Conservation. Sites designated under the EC Directive on the
Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna (the Habitats Directive)
of international importance as natural habitats, designated and protected in
order to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.
Scheduled Ancient Monument
The most important archaeological sites nationally are identified as Scheduled
Ancient Monuments by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and
the Regions under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
Section 106 Agreement
A legal agreement reached between a developer and the local planning authority
under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by the
Planning and Compensation Act 1991. Such agreements usually commit the developer
to undertake certain works, such as highway improvements or open space provision,
which are necessary in order for development to proceed.
Sequential Approach
A systematic approach to deciding which sites are the most appropriate for development,
and the sequence in which development should take place. This principle is applied
when selecting housing sites (brownfield sites are preferable to greenfield
sites; sites in or near town centres are preferable to sites at the edge of
the settlement) and sites for retail and leisure schemes (the most preferable
site is that nearest the town centre, then edge-of-centre, then out of centre).
Solar Energy Gain
Heating derived from natural sunlight.
Sites and Monuments Record (SMR)
Maintained by the County Council, the SMR contains information on all known
archaeological sites (both on land and under water) in Hampshire.
SINCs
Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation. Sites within Hampshire that are
of particular importance for nature conservation, containing habitats or features
which are effectively irreplaceable (excluding statutorily designated sites).
Criteria for identifying these sites have jointly been adopted by Hampshire
County Council, English Nature and the Hampshire Wildlife Trust.
SPAs
Special Protection Areas. Habitats classified under the EC Directive on the
Conservation of Wild Birds of international importance for birds, including
rare and migratory species. Their purpose is to ensure the survival and reproduction
of these species.
SSSIs
Sites of Special Scientific Interest, notified under section 28 of the Wildlife
and Countryside Act 1981 by English Nature, the Government’s statutory
advisor on nature conservation. They may be designated either for their biological
or geological interest and collectively form a nationally important network
of sites.
Structure Plan
Part of the development plan which is prepared by the County Council and contains
strategic planning policies.Sunken Lane
Tracks, generally of ancient origin, which have been worn down (up to 6 metres
(20 feet)) below the surrounding land. Usually of landscape, historical and
wildlife value.
Supplementary Planning Guidance
Documents prepared by the local planning authority, providing guidance or detail
on specific policies and proposals in the development plan (for example, design
guides for specific types of development).
Sustainability
Improving the quality of human life whilst living within the carrying capacity
of supporting ecosystems. A sustainable approach seeks to ensure that the needs
of the world’s human population are met, but in ways that can be carried
on in the long term, with minimal impact on the future global environment.
Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs.
Telecommunications
Forms of communications by electrical or optical, wire and cable and radio signals.
Telecommunications infrastructure includes masts, antennae, cable networks,
relay stations etc.
Toucan Crossing
A light controlled crossing similar to a Pelican crossing which allows pedestrians
and cyclists to cross together without the cyclist dismounting.
Town Centres
Centres which provide a broad range of facilities and services and which fulfil
a function as a focus for both the community and for pubic transport.
Trip Generation
Journeys which are made which would not have been made without development,
for example, new residential or industrial areas, retail or leisure facilities.
Urban Capacity Study
A study to establish how much additional housing can be accommodated within
urban areas, including how the number of new homes could be maximised on each
site through good design, a mix of housing types and lower car-parking provision.
Use Classes Order
Use classes are defined by The Town and Country Planning Use Classes (Amendment)
Order 2005. In general terms, activities within the same class may change without
requiring planning permission, (e.g. from office to light industrial use) whereas
activities changing from one class to another (e.g. from residential to office
use) usually need permission.
Village Centres
Centres catering for essential, day-to-day shopping requirements of rural areas.
Village Design Statements
Produced by local communities to influence the quality of new development and
ensure that it maintains or enhances the local distinctiveness of a village.
Viability
In the context of businesses/services, viability relates to whether that business/service
is economically feasible or practicable to run. In the context of a settlement
or town centre, viability refers to the ability to attract continuing investment,
both to maintain the fabric of the area and to allow for improvement and adaptation
to changing needs.
Vitality
In the context of a settlement or town centre, vitality refers to the liveliness
of the area, reflected in the amount of activity at different times and in different
parts.
Windfall Sites
A site which unexpectedly becomes available for development or re-development
over the plan period, which is not for the time being identified within a local
plan, but where planning permission may be granted (usually for housing), if
the site is suitable in planning terms and the development contributes towards
achieving development plan objectives.