Glossary (A - D)

Note: this glossary of terms used in planning is intended to provide a simple guide. It is not a statement of the law nor does it claim to be an authoritative interpretation of the law.

Adoption - the final confirmation of a plan as a statutory document by the local planning authority.

Advertisement Control - the process whereby a local planning authority decides whether an advertisement which is being displayed, or about to be displayed, is acceptable in terms of amenity and public safety and is being displayed in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations.

Affordable Housing - low cost housing for sale or rent, often from a housing association, to meet the needs of local people who cannot afford accommodation through the open or low cost market, or subsidised housing.

Agricultural Dwelling - a dwelling which is subject to a condition or legal agreement that it shall only be occupied by someone who is employed or was last employed solely or mainly in agriculture, forestry or other appropriate rural employment.

Amenity - the pleasant or normally satisfactory aspects of a location which contribute to its overall character and the enjoyment of residents or visitors.

Ancillary Use - a subsidiary use connected to the main use of a building or piece of land.

Appeal - the process whereby an applicant can challenge an adverse decision on an application by means of written representations, an informal hearing or formal inquiry proceedings. Appeals can also be made against the failure of the planning authority to issue a decision, against conditions attached to a permission and against the issue of an enforcement notice.

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - area designated by the Countryside Agency or the Countryside Council for Wales where the primary purpose is the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty including flora, fauna, geology and landscape.

Area of Special Control of Advertisements - an area which is specifically defined by the local planning authority because they consider its scenic, historical, architectural or cultural features are so significant that a stricter degree of advertisement control is justified in order to conserve visual amenity within that area. Such areas can only be designated with the approval of the Secretary of State.

Article 4 Direction - an order made by the Secretary of State, the National Assembly for Wales or the local planning authority, requiring a planning application to be made where normally permitted development rights would apply.

Article 14 Direction - issued by the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales to restrict the grant of planning permission by a local planning authority, either indefinitely or for a specified period, normally to give the Department time to decide whether to call in the application.

Back-land - land which is behind existing development with no, or very limited, road frontage.

BPEO (Best Possible Environmental Option) - The option that provides the most benefits or the least damage for the environment, as a whole, at acceptable cost, in the long term as well as the short term. (defined in the 12th report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution)

Betterment - the amount by which the value of land is increased by development or by the grant of planning permission, or because of the development of neighbouring land.

Bio-diversity - a measure of the number and range of species and their relative abundance in a community.

Bio-diversity Action Plan - the means by which the UK government commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity at Rio de Janeiro (1992) is to be met.

Brown-field Site - land which has been previously developed, excluding mineral workings or other temporary uses.

Building Preservation Order - a notice under Section 3 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to protect buildings of special architectural or historic interest from demolition or alterations that would affect their interest.

Cadw - government agency supporting the preservation, conservation, enhancement, interpretation and appreciation of historic buildings and monuments in Wales.

Called-in Application - a planning application referred to the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales for determination by virtue of the powers contained in section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Change of Use - more correctly referred to as a 'material change of use'. A change in the use of land or buildings that is of significance for planning purposes, often requiring planning permission.

Circular - guidance, including policy, issued by a government department usually, but not always, in support of legislation.

Commitments - All land with current planning permission or allocated in local plans.

Community Forests - A joint initiative between the Countryside Agency and the Forestry Commission to promote the creation, regeneration of well-wooded landscapes around major towns and cities.

Comparison Goods - 'non perishable' goods for retail sale which are often stocked in a wide range of sizes, styles, colours and qualities, including furniture, carpets, televisions etc.

Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) - notice issued by the government or a local authority to acquire land or buildings for public interest purposes.

Conditions - stipulations attached to a planning permission to limit or direct the manner in which a development is carried out.

Contaminated Land - land which has been polluted or harmed in some way rendering it unfit for safe development and most practical uses.

Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) - an area in which all kerbside space is controlled by either waiting or loading restrictions or by designated parking spaces.

Conservation Area - an area given statutory protection under the Planning Acts, in order to preserve and enhance its character and townscape.

Conservation Area Consent - consent required from the local planning authority before demolishing an unlisted building in a conservation area.

Consultation - procedures for assessing public opinion about a plan or major development proposal, or in the case of a planning application, the means of obtaining the views of affected neighbours or others with an interest in the proposal.

Convenience Shop - supermarket, grocers, newsagents, confectioners, tobacconists, off-licences or other shops selling goods which tend to be purchased regularly.

Conversions - the sub-division of residential properties into bedsits, self-contained flats or maisonettes.

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

Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) - government agency promoting the interests and well-being of rural Wales.

Deemed Consent - this allows the display of certain "specified classes" of advertisement without first having to make an application to the local planning authority. Under the Control of Advertisements Regulations there are 14 Classes, all of which are subject to strict conditions and limitations.

Density - in the case of residential development, a measurement of either the number of habitable rooms per hectare or the number of dwellings per hectare.

Departure - a proposed development which is not in accordance with a local plan but which due to exceptional circumstances the local planning authority proposes to accept - after due publicity and possible referral to the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales.

Derelict Land - Land so damaged by industrial or other development that it is incapable of beneficial use without treatment.

Detailed/Full Application - The most common type of planning application is one that seeks full or detailed planning permission. It should contain all the information needed for the LPA to reach its decision, but the LPA may seek further information.

Determination - local planning authority process to decide whether a proposed development requires planning permission.

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

Development Area - a priority area for environmental, social or economic regeneration or a combination of these.

Development Brief - document providing detailed information to guide developers on the type of development, design and layout constraints and other requirements for a particular, usually substantial, site.

Development Control - the process whereby a local planning authority decides whether a planning application meets the requirements of planning policy, particularly as set out in development plans.

Development Plan - document (a structure or local plan) that sets out in writing and/or in maps and diagrams a local planning authority's policies and proposals for the development and use of land and buildings in the authority's area.

Discontinuance Notice - notice served by a local planning authority requiring the discontinuance of the display of any advertisement, or the use of a site for the display of an advertisement, which has the benefit of deemed consent under the Control of Advertisements Regulations. Action to serve a discontinuance notice may only be taken if the planning authority is satisfied it is necessary to do so to remedy a substantial injury to the amenity of the locality or a danger to members of the public.