GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Accessibility Corridor The area of the Borough within walking distance to rail stations and regular bus routes.

Archaeological Heritage "Archaeological remains should be seen as a finite, and non-renewable resource, in many cases highly fragile and vulnerable to damage and destruction. Appropriate management is therefore essential to ensure that they survive in good condition." (Source: Planning Policy Guidance Note: 16)

Affordable Housing. Any housing for sale or rent or other form of tenure which is intended to be accessible to people whose incomes are insufficient to enable them to afford to obtain adequate housing locally on the open market. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Aggregates Sand, gravel, crushed rock and other bulk materials used in the construction industry for purposes such as the making of concrete, mortar, asphalt or for roadstone drainage of bulk filling materials. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) The process used by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to determine the quality of agriculture land. Grades 1,2, and 3a are classed as being of the "best and most versatile" and should be protected as a national resource for the future (Source: Planning Policy Guidance Note 7)

Agriculture/Agricultural Includes horticulture, fruit growing, seed growing, dairy farming, the breeding and keeping of livestock (including any creature kept for the production of food, wool, skins or fur, or for the purpose of its use in the farming of land), the use of land as grazing land, meadow land, osier land, market gardens and nursery grounds, and the use of land for woodlands where that use is ancillary to the farming of land for other agricultural purposes. (Source: Section 336 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.)

Aquifer Layer of porous rock able to hold or transmit water (Source: Environment Agency)

Area of Special Restraint. An area of land within which Green Belt policies will apply until such time as the Council determines that the land is required for development. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Article 4 Direction a special power which the Council may exercise to control development in sensitive areas not normally subject to planning control. (Source: Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995)

Bad Neighbour Use. A use that has a seriously detrimental effect on the locality in terms of noise, traffic or other disturbance and people living near it. An example could be a factory in a residential neighbourhood (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Best Practicable Environmental Option Can be applied to any aspect of pollution control used to indicate the waste disposal choice having the least impact on the environment. It does not refer to cost; the BPEO may be the most expensive. (Source: Environment Agency)

Biodiversity The variety of living things. Living things of all types interact with each other, so the loss of individual species can have far-reaching effects. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Brownfield Land Land which has previously been developed (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Built Heritage - This includes Scheduled Monuments, Areas of Archaeological Significance, Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas which make a valuable contribution to the built environment. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council)

Building Regulations Controls developed concerning aspects of building such as structural stability, waterproofing, sound and thermal insulation, drainage, ventilation and hygiene, stairways, access and facilities for disabled people and glazing. (Source: Hertfordshire Building Control Handbook.)

Class A1 See Use Class A1

Class A2 See Use Class A2

Class A3 See Use Class A3

Class B1 See Use Class B1

Comparison Shopping - shopping usually for non-food goods such as clothes and electrical equipment, for which the customer generally expects to invest time and effort into visiting a range of shops before making a choice. (Source: Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991 - 2011, Adopted April 1998.)

Commuted Sum: This is a sum of money paid to the Local Authority for a developer, often under a Section 106 Agreement, to effect provision of facilities or improvement connected with a development. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Conservation Area. An area defined by the Council as being of special architectural or historic importance within which the Council may exercise greater powers to control development not normally subject to planning control. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Contaminated Land Contamination may give rise to hazards which put at risk people working on the site, the occupiers and users of the buildings and land, and the buildings and services themselves. Contaminants may also escape from the site to cause air and water pollution and pollution of nearby land; If these hazards are not identified and assessed properly, there may be a direct threat to health, safety or the environment. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Convenience Shopping. Shopping carried out on a regular basis, e.g. food, newspapers, cigarettes, confectionery. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Critical Capital (See Environmental Assets)

Curtilage the area of enclosed land associated with the use of a building, such as the garden of a house, but excluding any fields, paddocks etc. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

DB(A) Unit of noise measurement which expresses the loudness in terms of decibel (dB) scale and the frequency rating factor (A) (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

DPH - Dwellings per Hectare - a measure of the density of development

Development Brief A non statutory document produced by the local authorities in partnership with other interested parties which sets out the main principles for the design, siting and layout of a development site or sites. (Source: Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991 - 2011.)

Development Plans Statutory plans such as the local plans and structure plans which set out local planning authorities' policies and proposals for the development and use of land within their area. Development decisions must be in accordance with the Development Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. (Source: Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991 - 2011.)

Diffuse Sources of Pollution Pollution without a single point source. For example, acid rain, pesticides and urban runoff. (Source: Environment Agency)

Dwelling A self contained house or flat. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Earth Summit - the popular name of the conference held in Rio de Janeiro which produced a document known as " Agenda 21". This outlined a range of actions for implementation by all countries, aimed at preserving the planet's natural assets and resources by focusing on "sustainable development." "Local Agenda 21" is the local community element of this, promulgated by the United Nations. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council)

Environmental Appraisal. An iterative process to ensure that environmental considerations are evaluated consistently throughout the preparation and review of policies. (Source: Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991 - 2011.)

Environmental Assets. These range from essential resources like water and air to landscape and historic and archaeological features which give an area its unique character. 'Environmental asset' includes not just those things which are considered to be valuable and irreplaceable and therefore need to be strongly protected in their entirety (critical capital), but also those parts of the environment which, although can cope with some management or change, need to be protected or enhanced to avoid damaging them or where any loss would have to be compensated for by similar provision elsewhere (constant assets). (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Environmental Capital The concept of environmental capital should be applied in decision making, in order to minimise development which has an irreversible impact on the quality of the natural environment. The Agency, together with English Nature, Countryside Commission and English Heritage have produced guidance on how environmental capital can be taken into account in the preparation of development.

Environmental Impact Assessment Under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 scheduled developments are required to submit an Environmental Statement along with a planning application. The statement should evaluate the likely environmental impacts of the development, together with an assessment of how the impacts could be mitigated. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Floodplain Parts of river valleys or coastal plains which are inundated during floods. It includes areas protected by flood defence. (Source: Environment Agency)

G. P. D. O The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. Statutory document from Central Government giving rules and definitions regarding development of land for the Local Planning Authority. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Green Belt An area designated in development plans which is protected against inappropriate development in order to check unrestricted urban sprawl; safeguard countryside from urban encroachment; prevent towns merging; preserve the special character of historic towns and assist urban regeneration. (Source: Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991 - 2011.)

Green Field Site Land on which no built development has previously taken place, usually understood to be beyond or on the periphery of an existing built up area. It also includes parks and playing fields in urban areas. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Greenhouse-gas Gases that are associated with Global Warming such as carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane which are considered naturally occurring greenhouse gases, whilst nitrous oxide, ozone and clorofluorocarbons (CFC's) are associated with manufacturing and industrial processes. (Source: Environment Agency)

Green house effect The Earth radiates solar energy and some of this energy is absorbed by the atmosphere, effectively warming it up, whilst the rest escapes into space. This process is called the "green house effect" because the atmosphere is acting like the glass in the greenhouse. (Source: Environment Agency)

Green Transport Plan A set of measures designed to reduce the impact of traffic congestion for journeys to, from and during work. Measures include a balance of incentives and discouragement to persuade employees to travel by sustainable modes or avoid the need to travel at all. (Source: Hertfordshire's Local Transport Plan Consultation Draft (February 2000.)

Gross floorspace The total floorspace of a building measured to the outside of all external walls. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Groundwater Water contained in the void spaces in pervious rocks and also within the soil.

Habitat Natural home of plant or animal (Source: Environment Agency)

Hazardous Installations Sites which store or use substances that are considered to be a risk to human health. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Hectare. Area of 10 000 square metres. One hectare = 2.471 acres.

Heritage Features. Significant remains characteristic of earlier times and worthy of preservation. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Historic Associations Buildings, sites and locations which have interest and are worthy of conservation because of their historical associations e.g. key events in history. (Source: Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991 - 2011.)

Housing Associations Independent non-profit-making organisations for managing, building and renovating housing. Funded by Central Government through the Housing Corporation they can also receive funds from Local Authorities. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Housing Needs Assessment Studies done to assess the level and types of unmet needs for accommodation, particularly affordable housing. (Source: Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991 - 2011.)

Infrastructure the provision of physical services like water, gas, electricity, sewerage and social services like educational facilities, medical facilities and leisure facilities. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Inward investment attracting new businesses from outside the area into the Borough. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Key Employment Sites Sites which have been identified to play a major long-term role in the Hertfordshire economy, where employment generating activities will be encouraged and where co-ordinated activity and investment programmes are required to realise their full potential. (Source: Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991 - 2011.)

Land Bank A supply of land allocated for a specific use (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Landfill Sites Site used for waste disposal into/onto land. (Source: Environment Agency)

Landfill Tax A charge levied against those disposing of material in a landfill site.(Source: Environment Agency)

Landscape Character Areas An area defined as having a distinctive character in terms of landscape following assessment of the geology, soils, topography, hydrology, land cover and land use, vegetation, historical and cultural influences, settlement and built form. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Listed Buildings. Buildings that are included on a Statutory List prepared by The Secretary of State for the Environment as being of special architectural or historic merit and which are subject to special planning control. Proposals to alter or demolish them require specific Listed Building Consent. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Local Agenda 21. A Local Action plan and strategy to concentrate on encouraging forms of development and activity which improve the quality of life in the area without damaging the quality of the natural environment. It is a part of Agenda 21, the international action plan aiming to tackle social, economic and environmental problems. Agenda 21 is one of the documents signed by governments at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Local Housing Needs. A term used to describe the range of housing requirements arising from the existing population including different types of ownership and house type. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Local Plans Statutory documents produced by District or Borough Councils to implement the development strategy set out in County Structure Plans. Specific land use allocations are identified. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Local Planning Authority The level of local government which has responsibility for the preparation and adoption of the Local Plan and deciding planning applications within the local government area. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Local Wildlife Site Under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, local authorities have powers to establish Local Nature Reserves in consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council. Such reserves are intended to provide significant opportunities for public involvement in nature conservation at a local small-scale level. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Local Transport Plan A five year plan produced by the County Council which includes long term transport strategies and covering a local authority's capital and revenue expenditure on transport. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Knowledge- based Economy The knowledge based economy has been described in the Industrial Strategy as the increasing development of production and processing of information and the greater use of applied knowledge and information in the physical manufacture of goods - i.e. information processing, research and development, and high-end " bespoke" manufacturing rather than mass production. (Source: Hertfordshire County Council.)

Key Employment Site Sites which have been identified to play a major long-term role in the Hertfordshire economy, where employment generating activities will be encouraged and where co-ordinated activity and investment programmes are required to realise their full potential. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Material Consideration Factors which are appropriate to take into consideration in the determination of a planning application. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

MGB Metropolitan Green Belt - see Green Belt

Micro Climate Local climatic conditions - daylight and sunlight, wind, temperature and frost pockets, which both influence and are influenced by the form of development, including the orientation of buildings, and the degree of enclosure. (Source: By Design, DETR.)

Mixed Uses a development which is designed to accommodate a variety of uses.

Modal Shift A change in the proportion of trips by different types of transport, e.g. walking, cycling, bus, train and car. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

National Nature Reserves Sites owned or leased and managed by English Nature and established as reserves under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949) (Source: Environment Agency)

Net Site Density A net site density is a more refined estimate than a gross site density and includes only those areas which will be developed for housing and directly associated uses. This will include: access roads within the site; private garden space; car parking areas; incidental open space and landscaping; and children's play areas where these are to be provided. It therefore excludes: major distribution roads; primary schools; open spaces serving a wider area; and significant landscape buffer strips. (Source: Annex C of PPG3. )

Passenger Transport Those services on which members of the public rely for getting from place to place when not using their own private transport. It includes bus, rail and taxis. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Passive Solar Design This is the design of building to make the most of the Energy available freely from the sun in the form of solar heat, daylight and wind, so minimising the need for artificial means of heating, lighting, ventilation and cooling. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Planning Obligation. An obligation entered into by agreement with the Local Planning Authority or offered unilaterally by those with an interest in land in accordance with the terms and provisions of section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended). (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council).

Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs). A series of notes issued by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) which set out the Government's policy guidance on planning issues, such as housing, shopping, green belts, etc. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Precautionary Principle Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost effective measures to prevent environmental degradation. (Source: Rio Declaration.)

Polluter Pays Principle: A significant amount of environmental pollution and resource depletion occurs because those who are responsible do not have to bear the costs. Where environmental damage is threatened or caused then the costs of any necessary environmental protection measures should be borne by those responsible and not be society at large, giving incentives to reduce potential environmental threats.

Previously Developed Land: Previously developed land is land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure (excluding agricultural or forestry buildings), and associated fixed surface infrastructure. The definition covers the curtilage of the development. Previously developed land may occur in both built-up and rural settings. The definition includes defence buildings and land used for mineral extraction and waste disposal where provision for restoration has not been made through development control procedures. The definition excludes land and buildings that are currently in use for agricultural or forestry purposes, and land in built-up areas which has not been developed previously (e.g. parks, recreation grounds, and allotments - even though these areas may contain certain urban features such as paths, pavilions and other building.) Also excluded is land that was previously developed but where the remains of any structure or activity have blended into the landscape in the process of time (to the extent that it can reasonably be considered as part of the natural surroundings), and where there is a clear reason that could outweigh the re-use of the site - such as its contribution to nature conservation - or it has subsequently been put to an amenity use and cannot be regarded as requiring redevelopment. (Source: Annex C of PPG3)

Proximity Principle Waste should generally be managed as near as possible to its place of production, because transporting waste itself has an environmental impact (Source: Planning Policy Guidance Note 10.)

Regional Planning Guidance Guidance issued by the Government which sets out its policies to guide development in the regions and provide a framework for the review of structure and unitary plans. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Renewable Energy Energy sources which can be exploited from two main categories: Resources that occur naturally within the environment, such as hydro power, wind power and solar energy; Resources that are the by-product of human activity, such as energy crops, biogas, landfill gas and the energy derived from waste combustion. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Retail Hierarchy Hierarchy of shopping centres ranging from regional and sub-regional centres through town centres, district and local centres. Structure plans outline the hierarchy within a county and local plans indicate the hierarchy within boroughs and districts. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Retail Warehousing - large single-level stores specialising in the sale of household goods such as carpets, furniture and electrical goods and bulky DIY items, catering mainly for car-borne customers and often in out-of-centre locations. (Source: Planning Policy Guidance Note 6.)

Right to Acquire A scheme giving eligible tenants of registered social landlords the legal right to buy the home they currently rent. (Source: DETR.)

Right to Buy A scheme allowing council tenants to purchase their own homes at a discounted price (Source: DETR.)

Run-off Commonly used to mean rainwater flowing across the land. (Source: Environment Agency)

Scheduled Ancient Monument Sites of national importance designated under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Section 106 Agreements Legal agreement under planning law to secure elements of development that cannot be controlled by planning conditions. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Sequential Approach: shopping. The sequential approach is defined in PPG6 on retail and town centres. It requires retail development to be located such that 'first preference should be for town centre sites, where suitable sites or buildings suitable for conversion are available, followed by edge-of centre sites, district and local centres and only then by out-of-centre sites in locations that are accessible by a choice of means of transport.' (Source: Planning Policy Guidance Note 6)

Sequential Approach: housing. The sequential approach is defined in PPG3 on housing. It requires that local authorities should adopt a systematic approach to deciding which sites and areas are most suitable for development and the sequence in which development should take place. They should assess potential areas or sites against specific criteria. Sufficient housing land should be provided but priority given to the re-use of previously-developed land, bringing empty homes back into use and promoting the conversion of existing buildings within urban areas, in preference to the development of greenfield sites. (Source: Planning Policy Guidance Note 3.)

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These are designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. These comprise land of special importance because of its flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features. (Source: English Nature).

Special Area of Conservation (SAC) These are the most important sites for wildlife in the country. It is an European designation that covers animals, plants and habitats and provides them with increased protection and management. (Source: English Nature)

Special Protection Area A site of special scientific and international interest designated under the Birds Directive. (Source: Environment Agency)

Statement of Consultation A statement explaining whom the local authority have consulted, the steps taken to publicise their proposals, and how they have provided an opportunity for interested parties to make representations. (Source: Planning Policy Guidance Note 12.)

Statement of Intent A statement prepared by applicants demonstrating how sustainability principles have been incorporated into the location, design, construction and future use of their proposals. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Statutory required, permitted or enacted by statute (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Statutory Bodies - Those organisations as outlined in Annex C, Planning Policy Guidance Note 12, as consultees for development plans. (Source: Planning Policy Guidance Note 12)

Structure Plans Statutory documents produced by County Councils outlining their strategy for development over a 10-15 year timescale (Source: Environment Agency)

Sui Generis A legal term, used in planning law, to describe a use which falls outside of the defined uses in the Use Classes Order, and therefore does not qualify for the rights given to uses falling within those classes. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Supplementary Planning Guidance is non-statutory planning documents, which do not form part of the Plan, but supplement the Plan's policies and proposals. It can take the form of design guides, development briefs or supplement other specific policies in the plan. (Source: Planning Policy Guidance Note 12.)

Sustainability That the environment should be protected and maintained in such a condition that it does not deteriorate over time, so that future catastrophes can be avoided and the same condition of environment can be enjoy by future generations as is enjoyed by people today. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Sustainability Checklist A list of questions included in Supplementary Planning Guidance which encourages applicants to incorporate sustainability principles into the location, design, construction and future use of their proposals. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Sustainable Development Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (Source: Brundtland Report - The World Commission on Environment and Development, United Nations) The UK Government has set out its own strategy for sustainable development based on four broad objectives:
maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment;
effective protection of the environment;
prudent use of natural resources; and
social progress which recognises the needs of everyone.

Telecommunications Forms of communications by electrical or optical, wire, cable and radio signals. Telecommunications infrastructure includes masts, antennas, cable networks, relay stations etc. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Town cramming Excessive densities of development and associated traffic in urban areas that are considered to be undesirable because of losses in environmental, cultural and social resources, particularly green space. (Source: Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991 - 2011.)

Urban regeneration Bringing about development and other physical changes within the existing urban areas whilst respecting the existing built heritage and other valued environment assets, in order to create economic and social opportunities and improve the quality of life. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Urban Renaissance A new vision for urban regeneration founded on the principles of design excellence, social well-being and environmental responsibility within a viable economic and legislative framework. (Source: Urban Renaissance: Sharing the Vision, DETR)

Use Classes Order Use classes are defined by the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. 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. (Source: Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987.)

Use Class A1 Shops, retail warehouses, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices, dry cleaners, sandwich shops etc.

Use Class A2 Banks, building societies, estate and employment agencies, professional and financial services, betting offices.

Use Class A3 Restaurants, pubs, cafes, wine bars, shops for the sale of hot food

Use Class B1 (a) Offices not within A2. (b) Research and development, studios, laboratories, high tech(c) Light industry

Water Table Level below which the soil/rock is permanently saturated. (Source: Environment Agency)

Windfall Housing Sites. Housing sites not identified by the Council in a local plan that come forward for development through planning applications. (Source: Borough of Broxbourne Council.)

Wildlife Sites Sites of substantive nature conservation value.