Glossary (R - Z)

This glossary of planning terms 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.

Ramsar Site - area identified under the internationally agreed Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as waterfowl sites and as Sites of Special Scientific Interest focusing on the ecological importance of wetlands generally.

Recycling - the recovery of reusable materials from waste.

Regional Planning Guidance Notes (RPGs) -policy guidance and advice issued for each region in England by the Secretary of State.

Regional Shopping Centre - out-of-town concentration of shops, usually containing over 50,000 square metres gross retail area, typically offering a wide range of comparison goods.

Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites (RIGS) - non-statutory sites of regional importance recognised by English Nature and local authorities.

Regulation 7 Direction - a Direction made by the Secretary of State to remove from a particular site or defined area the benefit of deemed consent normally provided by the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations.

Renewable Energy - energy generated from resources that are unlimited, rapidly replenished or naturally renewable such as wind, water, sun, wave and refuse, and not from the combustion of fossil fuels.

Ribbon development - a narrow band of development extending along one or both sides of a road.

Rural Development Area - priority area for economic and social development.

Rural Diversification - activities undertaken on surplus land to support farming incomes, including, for example, forestry, leisure and tourism.

Scheduled Ancient Monument - a structure placed on a schedule compiled by the Department of National Heritage in England and Cadw in Wales for protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act.

Section 106 Agreement (see Planning Gain) - a binding agreement between a council and a developer associated with a grant of planning permission and regarding matters linked to the proposed development.

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - area identified by English Nature or Countryside Council for Wales for protection by reason of the rarity of its nature conservation or wildlife features.

Special Needs Housing - housing to meet need arising from homelessness or overcrowding, and purpose-built or supported housing for the elderly or disabled people or those requiring care.

Statutory - required by law (statute), usually through an Act of Parliament.

Statutory Undertakers/Statutory Utilities - providers of essential services such as gas, electricity, water or telecommunications.

Stop Notice - a notice served in respect of land subject to enforcement proceedings prohibiting the carrying out or continuing of specified operations which are alleged to constitute a breach of planning control and designed to stop work going on pending the outcome of an appeal.

Structure Plan - statutory plan setting out key strategic policies which provide the framework for more detailed policies in local plans.

Sui Generis - uses of land or buildings which do not fall into any of the use classes identified by the Use Classes Order, for example theatres, launderettes, car showrooms and filling stations.

Supplementary Planning Guidance - additional advice issued by a local planning authority expanding upon its statutory policies.

Sustainable Development - environmentally responsible development, commonly defined as "development which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

TANs - technical advice notes for Wales which provide topic-based supplements to the policy document Planning Policy Wales.

Town Centre - describes city, town and traditional suburban centres which provide a broad range of facilities and services and which fulfil a function as a focus for a community and for public transport.

Town Centre Management - partnership of local organisations, businesses and individuals to promote the common good of a town by developing, managing, promoting and improving facilities, the useful resources, the economy and the environment of a town centre.

Townscape - the appearance and character of buildings and all other features of an urban area taken together as a whole.

Traffic Calming - management measures designed to lower traffic speeds or redirect traffic to alternative routes to avoid congestion, reduce accidents and injuries and prevent excess levels of pollution.

Transport Policy and Programme (TPP) - statutory document setting out a transport authority's bid for the programming and funding of transport measures, produced annually for submission to central government.

Travel to Work Area (TTWA) - a broadly self-contained labour market area usually focused on an urban employment centre.

Tree Preservation Order (TPO) - direction made by a local planning authority that makes it an offence to cut, top, lop, uproot or wilfully damage or destroy a tree without that authority's permission.

Unitary Development Plan - local plan produced by certain unitary district authorities and London boroughs which have responsibility for the full range of local authority services.

Urban Fringe - predominantly open land on the edge of an existing urban area.

Urban Regeneration - the re-use or redevelopment of decaying or run-down parts of older urban areas to bring them new life and economic vitality.

Use Classes Order - the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 puts uses of land and buildings into various categories, planning permission not being required for changes of use within the same use class. In practice changes between use classes are likely to require planning permission.

Village envelope - boundaries defined on a map beyond which the local planning authority proposes that a village should not be allowed to extend.

Welsh Assembly Government - a body that develops and implements policy in Wales via the civil service and a range of sponsored bodies.

Wildlife Corridor - a continuous area facilitating the movement of wildlife through rural or urban environments.

Wind Farm - large open site where wind speeds are consistently high on which a number of wind turbines generate electricity for private or commercial use.

Written Statement - documentary statement of policy, forming part of a development plan submitted by a local planning authority and requiring formal approval.