Word / phrase

Definition

Acre

Measurement of land area of 4840 square yards, approximately 0.4 of a hectare.

Adopted Local Plan

The ‘final’ Plan, agreed and published by the Council as the definitive, legal Plan following a Local Plan Inquiry and any subsequent modifications. The adopted plan carries legal weight in determining planning applications (see also Consultation Draft, Deposit Version and Revised Deposit Version). Note: this Plan is the adopted version (April 2004).

Affordable housing

Housing that is available for people who cannot afford to rent or buy houses generally available on the open market. It encompasses social rented housing; shared ownership and similarly subsidised schemes sometimes referred to as intermediate housing; and may include low cost market housing, depending on the relationship between local income levels and house prices or rents. (See Circular 6/98, paragraph 4 and PPG3 ‘Housing’ (2000), paragraph 15).

Aggregate minerals

Those minerals used essentially in the road building and construction industry, e.g. limestone, sand and gravel.

Agricultural Land Classification

A land classification system used by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), Grades 1,2 and 3A being the most versatile grades.

Allocations

Land or units proposed for development (particularly housing and employment), usually without planning permission.

Alternative public transport facilities

Solutions to conventional public transport such as community bus schemes, voluntary car schemes, ring and ride schemes.

Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV)

Areas of high land or parts of valley systems which have discernible local character, as defined in Local Plans.

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

Areas designated by the Countryside Agency and confirmed by the Secretary of State for the Environment to conserve the natural beauty of the area.

Article 4A Direction

Direction issued by the Council requiring planning permission to be obtained for works that would otherwise be permitted development.

Assisted Area Status

Regional Assistance (until December 1999) granted by Central Government.

Backland development

Development involving lateral splitting of an existing plot and development to the rear of properties.

Bascule arm

Counter-balanced lifting bridge.

Berms and swales

Levelled areas between slopes to reduce water run off, used as a sustainable drainage measure.

Best Practical Environmental Option (BPEO)

A term in waste management planning describing an option that meets a given set of objectives at the most benefit or least damage to the environment in the long as well as the short term.

Best Value

Regime by which Local Government should provide the right service in the most economic and efficient way; focuses on Consulting, Comparing, Challenging and Competing. Councils are required to publish yearly Best Value Performance Plans. Having an up to date local plan is an important element of Best Value.

Biodegradable waste

Defined in the Waste Directive as waste that is capable of undergoing anaerobic or aerobic decomposition, such as food and garden waste, paper and paperboard.

Biodiversity

A range of natural habitats and species of plants and animals essential to maintain the earth’s ecosystems.

Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)

Plan identifying targets improving and protecting biodiversity in an area. There are regional, county and local BAPs.

Brownfield Site

Previously developed land (as defined in Annex C of PPG3 ‘Housing’ (2000)).

Business Forum

Organisation of local business people which work to promote the economic interests of Torbay.

Business Investment Areas

Areas of under-utilised business use, with potential for increased and more effective employment use (see also Small Business Areas).

Business Park

High quality, well landscaped, prestige employment site of a sufficient size to attract high-tech and similar light industrial users.

Cill (or Sill)

In the context of Torquay Harbour, refers to a structure to retain water at low tide within the inner harbour.

Circular

Central Government publication containing detailed interpretation of Government legislation (see also PPG).

Civic Amenity Site

A facility where the public can dispose of household waste and also often containing recycling points.

Coastal Preservation Area

Unspoiled stretches of coastal land, usually substantially undeveloped and protected because of their visual importance.

Coastal Protection Zone

Zone of land in coastal area designated to ensure management/geological protection. It is not primarily a landscape designation (compare with Coastal Preservation Area).

Commitment

Land with current planning permission.

Comparison goods

Clothing and footwear; do-it-yourself goods; household goods (furniture, pictures, carpets and other floor coverings, major appliances, textiles and soft furnishings and hardware); recreational goods (radios, televisions, sports goods, toys, games, etc.); other goods (pharmaceutical products, jewellery, watches, and other non-food goods).

Composting

Process that accelerates the decay of organic materials through anaerobic digestion.

Conservation Areas

Areas of special architectural or historic interest, designated by virtue of Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Consultation Draft

The first stage in preparing a local plan. The Torbay Borough Local Plan (Consultation Draft) was published in June 1996. The requirement to publish a Consultation Draft has now been replaced with a requirement to undertake pre Deposit consultation, for example by publishing an Issues Paper (see also Adopted Local Plan, Deposit Version, Revised Deposit).

Contaminated land

Land that has been polluted either by previous uses or naturally occurring contaminants.

Controlled waste

Household, industrial, commercial and special waste. It is fully defined in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 75(2).

Convenience goods

Food, alcoholic drink, tobacco, newspapers, magazines, matches, soap and other cleaning materials.

Country Parks

Designated by the Countryside Agency to help alleviate pressures on the National Parks and provide recreational areas for urban residents.

Countryside Agency

Executive Agency of Central Government responsible for designating AONBs and other countryside matters. Formerly the Countryside Commission.

Countryside Trust

See Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.

Countryside Zone

Those areas of land outside the urban areas of cities, towns and villages, usually undeveloped except for isolated hamlets or buildings associated with agriculture or services.

“De minimus”

A use or operation carried out at a sufficiently low level so as not to require planning permission.

Deposit Version

The stage when an emerging Plan is placed “on deposit” for public comment. The Deposit Version of the Torbay Local Plan (1995-2011) was published in July 1999 (see also Adopted Local Plan, Consultation Draft and Revised Deposit).

Deprivation

A measure of material poverty based on a number of criteria such as income, economic circumstances, environment, etc.

Derelict land

Land so damaged by industrial or other development, that it is incapable of beneficial use without treatment (see also Previously developed land).

Design Brief

Document containing detailed guidance on design, materials, etc. on a specific development site.

Developer contributions

A type of Planning Obligation (see below).

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 other land.

Development Brief

Guide giving advice on design, phasing, constraints, type of development, etc. on particular development sites (also called Planning Brief).

District Centre

Shopping areas providing a range of key shops, local and associated facilities such as banks and restaurants serving the community. They are larger than local centres (see below).

District Distributor Road Network

Roads which are not part of the Major Road Network, but serve an important role distributing traffic to and within districts.

EC Framework Directive on Waste

European Directive requiring the minimisation of waste (75/442/EEC as amended by 91/156/EEC).

Ecological value

A measure of the significance or interest of an area of land as a habitat supporting species of flora and fauna.

Economic activity rate

The percentage of people aged 16 and over who are economically active.

Economic Development Strategy (EDS)

Torbay Council’s published strategy outlining economic objectives.

Economically active

People aged 16 or over who are either in employment or are registered unemployed.

Edge of centre

Site within easy walking distance (approx 300 metres) of a town centre.

Employment land and buildings

Land and buildings used primarily for activities falling within Classes B1, B2 and B8 of the Use Classes Order 1987, including existing industrial estates and buildings, and land allocated for such purposes in the Local Plan.

Energy From Waste Plant

Incineration of waste and use of the heat generated for heating for heating/electricity.

English Heritage

National body with responsibility for protecting the historic environment; provides advice to Central and Local Government on historic building conservation, archaeology, etc.

Environment Agency

Executive Agency of Central Government overseeing environmental matters such as water resources, waste, pollution and nature conservation.

Environmental Appraisal

Process seeks to ensure that the environmental implications of local and structure plans are made explicit, and that environmental considerations are fully taken into account of in the Plan. (The Environmental Appraisal of this Plan was published as a supporting document to the July 1999 Deposit Version of the Local Plan). See Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Environmental Guide

Detailed advice on design, parking standards etc., supplementing the Written Statement and accompanying the Local Plan.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The legal requirement for some major developments to have their effect on the environment appraised before the granting of planning permission. EIA is different from Environmental Appraisal of the Local Plan (see above).

EU Landfill Directive

European Directive 1999 (1999/31/EC) regulating the landfill of waste, transposed into UK law in 2001.

Explanation

The statutory Government requirement to explain fully the derivation of all policies and proposals (often referred to as the reasoned justification).

Factory outlet

Shops, often outside town centres, selling ‘seconds’ and end of line goods at discounted prices.

Flats

Buildings containing more than one self contained dwelling. They include purpose built and converted buildings.

Full time employment

Members of the work force employed over 32 hours per week in one job and paying a full National Insurance contribution.

Global warming

See Greenhouse effect.

Grade I, II* and II

Grades of listed buildings. Grade I buildings are of the most importance; followed by II*, followed by Grade II.

Greenfield site

Previously undeveloped land.

Greenhouse effect

The warming of the Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere, due to gases such as carbon dioxide and methane (greenhouse gases) forming a barrier to infra-red radiation escaping from the Earth.

Gross density

Area of development (in particular employment development) including strategic landscaping as well as buildings, roads etc.

Habitats Directive

EU Directive (92/43/EEC) requiring the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The Directive set up a network of sites identified as Special Areas of Conservation and requires their protection and management.

Hamlet

A collection of houses, smaller than a village and usually lacking community facilities.

Hectare

Metric measurement of land of 10,000 square metres (2.471acres).

Heritage Coast

Stretches of undeveloped coastline defined by the Countryside Agency as being of outstanding scenic value, often the subject of special management schemes.

Historic Parks and Gardens

Parks and gardens created before 1939 which still retain their special interest and which have been listed and graded in the national Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest first published by English Heritage in 1984.

Hostels

Accommodation that contains rooms used for residential purposes usually on a temporary basis. It is different from an HMO (see below) in that a basic level of service, such as meals, is provided for residents.

Household

Either one person living alone or a group of persons (related, or up to six unrelated people) living at the same address with common housekeeping, sharing facilities etc.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

A property which is occupied by a number of persons who do not form a single household. This includes bedsits and other non-self- contained property where sharing of basic facilities takes place (see also Hostel).

Housing completions

Number of houses finished as defined by Completion Certificate issued by Building Control or National House Builders Building Council Final Certificate.

Housing density

Ratio of numbers of houses to land area.

Infilling/infill site

Development within the existing built-up urban form or between existing buildings.

Infrastructure

‘Physical infrastructure’ refers to facilities as well as roads, water supply and sewers. Services such as education and health are often termed ‘social infrastructure’.

Integrated Transport System

System that combines various modes of transport (bus, train, cycle etc.).

Intermediate Area

Level of Assisted Area (see above) regional assistance from UK Government that applies to Torbay.

Land use

The use of land and includes activities within buildings (see Use Classes).

Landfill

Depositing waste into or onto the ground.

Landscape Policy Areas

A term used to encompass principal landscape related designations. These include Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which are designated by the Countryside Agency; and Areas of Great Landscape Value, Coastal Preservation Areas and Urban Landscape Protection Areas, which are designated by Local Planning Authorities.

Large housing sites

Sites of over 1 acre (0.4 ha) proposed for housing in the Local Plan (H1 sites).

Lifecycle analysis

Analysis of the environmental impacts of a product from its manufacture to final disposal; includes factors such as raw materials required in its manufacture, any pollution caused by its use and how it is disposed of. This allows an assessment to be made about how its environmental impact can be reduced.

Listed Buildings

List of buildings of special architectural or historic interest compiled by Central Government under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation) Act 1990.

Living Over The Shop (LOTS)

Scheme involving housing associations for bringing accommodation above town centre and other commercial buildings into residential use (see also Windfall sites).

Local Agenda 21 (LA21)

Process of building partnerships to achieve local sustainable development and contribute to the wider sustainability agenda.

Local Centres

Areas of shops and similar uses generally serving only the immediate local area; smaller than district centres.

Local Development Framework (LDF)

New system for local planning, introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, which will replace existing Local Plans currently prepared under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)

Statutory nature reserves, designated by the Countryside Agency or local authorities under national legislation.

Local needs housing

New housing developments specifically reserved for people already associated with the locality, either by residence or work place.

Local Plan

Document which includes a Written Statement setting out detailed policies and specific proposals for the development and use of land, together with a Proposals Map which illustrates policies and proposals on an Ordnance Survey base map (see Proposals Map and Written Statement).

Local Plan Inquiry

See Public Local Inquiry.

Local Transport Plan (LTP)

Five year programme for the improvement of local transport systems. This replaces the TPP (see below) and contains detailed traffic management and transport schemes.

Local Wildlife Sites

Sites identified by Devon County or Torbay Council as being of wildlife importance.

Low cost market housing

Housing provided at prices affordable to the lower end of the market, such as starter homes (see Affordable housing).

Making Waste Work

Strategy for the sustainable management of waste over the next 20 years. Fundamental to the strategy is the need to curb the growth in the quantity of waste produced. The strategy was published for consultation by the DETR in June 1999.

Mineral Planning Authority

Authority responsible for minerals management. Torbay Council is the Mineral Planning Authority for Torbay.

Mineral Policy Guidance Note (MPG)

Guidance issued by Government on planning issues relating to minerals, similar to PPGs.

Modal interchange facilities

Bulky or large goods moved on a transport system which has termini accessible to different freight systems, e.g. road and rail, by which the major movements are made on the rail network.

Modal split

The types of method of transport used (walking, bus, car etc.).

Modal switch

The effect of policies etc. in changing peoples choice of use of transport; in particular encouraging use of non-car transport.

MRF

Materials Recycling Facility.

Municipal waste

Waste collected and disposed of by local authorities, generally consisting of household and similar waste.

National Nature Reserves (NNRs)

Areas of wildlife and geological importance in England designated by English Nature under Sections 16 to 29 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. They are managed as places of conservation and scientific interest by English Nature or other approved body such as a wildlife trust.

National Primary Route Network

The national network of key main roads (excluding motorways).

Natural Areas

Formally defined as “biogeographic zones which reflect the geological foundation, the natural systems and processes and the wildlife in different parts of England and provide a framework for setting objectives for nature conservation” (Biodiversity; the UK steering Group Report HMSO 1995).

Net area

Area of development (in particular employment development) including buildings, roads, parking etc but excluding strategic landscaping.

New settlement

Free standing new towns or large-scale additions to existing settlements. Extensions to existing towns or villages are termed new settlements where the completed new development constitutes 50% or more of the total size of the settlement, measured either in terms of population or dwelling numbers. PPG3 (paragraphs 72-75) sets out planning considerations relevant to new settlements.

Noise Exposure Categories (NEC)

Categories of development which are affected by noise. NECs are specified in PPG24 ‘Planning and Noise’.

Non operational car parking

Parking spaces which may be provided for office development but which are not essential to the running of any business at the premises, e.g. commuting employees and business visitors.

Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation

Central Government commitment to reducing the use of fossil fuels.

Objective 2 (2000 - 2006)

European structural funds programme for 2000-2006. Six of Torbay’s twelve wards are eligible for Objective 2 funding.

Objective 5(b)

European Union designations of an area qualified for funding due to declining rural and fishery industries until the end of 1999. The southern part of Torbay had Objective 5(b) status.

ODPM

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. This is a Central Government department charged with the responsibility for planning.

Operational car parking

Parking spaces which are essential to the operation of the business being carried out at the premises, e.g. servicing and delivery vehicles.

Out-of-centre

A location that is clearly separate from a town centre but not necessarily outside the urban area.

Out-of-town

Out of centre site e.g. for a foodstore that is on greenfield land or outside of the urban boundary.

Park and ride

An arrangement whereby car users are encouraged to leave their vehicles in identified car parks on the periphery of the town or city and complete the remainder of their journey by some form of public transport, usually bus or rail.