CABE

Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. A public body acting as a champion of good design in England.

'Call-in' or Called-in Planning Application

The Secretary of State can "call in" certain planning applications that local authorities propose to approve. For example, where it may have wider effects beyond the immediate locality, significant regional or national controversy, or potential conflict with national policy. These will then be subject to a public inquiry presided over by a Planning Inspector who will make recommendation to the Secretary of State who will decide the application instead of the local planning authority.

Capacity (in retailing terms)

Potential spending by the public within the catchment area, with which to support existing and additional retail floorspace.

Catchment (in retailing terms)

The geographical area from which a retail destination draws its trade. Sometimes measured in terms of 'Drive Time'.

Certificate of Immunity from Listing

Certificate granting immunity from listing or the issuing of a Building Preservation Notice for a period of five years. Only granted when planning permission has been granted or is being sought for a development.

Change of Use

A change in the way that land or buildings are used (see Use Classes Order). Planning permission is usually necessary in order to change from one 'use class' to another.

Character

A term relating to Conservation Areas or Listed Buildings, but also to the appearance of any rural or urban location in terms of its landscape or the layout of streets and open spaces, often giving places their own distinct identity.

Chief Planning Officer

The lead planning officer at a local authority. Some authorities use the title Head of Planning.

Circular

A government publication setting out procedural matters and guidance.

City Centre

The highest order centre, often a regional or sub-regional retailing and service centre, serving a wide catchment.

City Region

The concept of the city-region can be understood as a functionally inter-related geographical area comprising a central, or Core City, as part of a network of urban centres and rural hinterlands. A little bit like the hub (city) and the spokes (surrounding urban/rural areas) on a bi-cycle wheel.

Civic Amenity 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.

Claw-back (a retailing term)

The ability of a new retail store to retain trade or customers that may otherwise travel further afield.

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.

Clusters (a term used in economic regeneration)

A group of businesses or organisations who, owing to the goods they produce and/or services they provided have common customers, technology or use similar specialist skills. They group together in order to enhance their overall competitive advantage of individual companies.

Coalescence

The merging or coming together of separate towns or villages to form a single entity.

Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

The combined production of heat, usually in the form of steam, and power, usually in the form of electricity.

Commercial Waste

Controlled waste arising from trade premises.

Commitments (or committed development)

All land with current planning permission or allocated in adopted development plans for development (particularly residential development).

Committee

At a planning authority, an appointed body of locally elected councillors that makes decisions on planning matters.

Community Forest

A large area of land transformed into a wooded landscape by a partnership of local authorities, national agencies and private, voluntary and community organisations to support employment, recreation, education and wildlife.

Community Strategy

A strategy prepared by a local authority to improve local quality of life and aspirations, under the Local Government Act 2000.

Comparison Shopping

Retail items not bought on a frequent basis, for example televisions and white goods (fridges, dishwashers etc).

Composting

The process that converts biodegradable material such as garden or kitchen waste, in the presence of oxygen (aerobic) into a stable material that can be used as a soil improver. Composting can be done at different scales, from home composting to a large centralised facility.

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 Character Appraisal

A published document defining the special architectural or historic interest that warranted the area being designated.

Conservation Area Consent

Consent required for the demolition of an unlisted building within a conservation area.

Construction and Demolition Waste

Controlled waste arising from the construction, repair, maintenance and demolition of buildings and structures.

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.

Conurbation

A large densely populated urban sprawl formed by the growth and coalescence of individual towns or cities. 

Convenience Goods

Everyday essential items, such as food.

Convenience Shopping

The provision of everyday essential items, such as food.

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.

Core and Feeder Public Transport Network

A network of bus routes serving major destinations/corridors often having standards for frequencies, times of operation, vehicle quality, levels of bus priority and passenger information. Feeder networks link into the core networks.

Core strategy

A Development Plan Document setting out the spatial vision and strategic objectives of the planning framework for an area, having regard to the Community Strategy (see also DPDs).

Cost-Benefit Analysis

An assessment method that is sometimes used to compare the benefits and costs of a development proposal, such as a major infrastructure project.

Countryside Agency

The organisation responsible for advising government and taking action on issues affecting the social, economic and environmental well being of the English countryside.

Countryside Character Areas

Areas of distinctive landscape, wildlife and natural features as defined by the Countryside Agency.

County Archaeologist

An officer within a County Council responsible for maintaining and compiling Sites and Ancient Monuments Records on behalf of English Heritage, and advising on development affecting archaeological remains.

County Council

The local authority that is responsible for waste and minerals planning functions in non-unitary, and non-national park, local authority areas. A county council may provide advice and proposals on strategic planning issues to the Regional Planning Body. 

Crushed Rock

Hard types of rock, which have been quarried, fragmented and graded for use as aggregate.

Cultural Strategy

A Cultural Strategy aims to "promote the cultural well-being" of the area it covers.

Culture

Culture includes arts, media, sports, libraries, museums, parks, and the countryside, built heritage, tourism, and the creative industries.

Cumulative Impact

A number of developments in a locality or a continuous activity over time that together may have an increased impact on the environment, local community or economy.

Curtilage

The area normally within the boundaries of a property surrounding the main building and used in connection with it.

Cycle Network

An integrated network of both on- and off-road routes to facilitate an easier and safer journey for cyclists.