Glossary of terms

GLOSSARY OF PLANNING TERMS AND THEIR MEANING 

A

Amenity: The overall attractiveness and pleasantness of an area, including

factors like landscape, noise, and air quality.

Applicant: The person or organization applying for planning permission.

Application: The formal request for planning permission.

Arboriculture: The cultivation and management of trees and shrubs.

Affordable Housing: Housing that is available at below market value to

people who cannot afford market prices. Market price - 20%

B

Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Building Regulations: A set of standards that must be met for the

construction and alteration of buildings.

C

Conservation Area: An area designated for its special architectural or

historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or

enhance.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL): A charge levied on new developments to

fund infrastructure improvements in the local area.

Conditions: Requirements attached to a planning permission that must be met.

Consultation: The process of seeking the views of interested parties on a

planning application.

Curtilage: The land immediately surrounding a house or other building and

used in connection with it.

D

Density: The number of dwelling units or other buildings per unit of area.

Design and Access Statement: A document submitted with a planning

application explaining the design principles and access arrangements for the

proposed development.

Development: Any building, engineering, mining, or other operation in, on,

over, or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any

buildings or other land.  

E

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): A process of assessing the potential

environmental impacts of a proposed development.

Enforcement Notice: A notice served by a local planning authority requiring

that a breach of planning control be remedied.

G

Green Belt: A designated area of land around urban areas intended to prevent

urban sprawl.

H

Heritage Asset: A building, monument, site, or landscape of historical,

archaeological, architectural, or artistic interest.

L

Listed Building: A building of special architectural or historical interest

that is included on a list compiled by Historic England.

Local Plan: A document setting out the planning policies for a local area.

N

Neighbour Notification: The process of informing neighbouring properties

about a planning application.

O

Outline Planning Permission: Permission in principle for a development, with

details to be submitted later.

P

Planning Permission: Formal consent from the local planning authority to

carry out development.

Policy: A statement of intent or a course of action adopted by a government

or organization.

Permitted Development: Minor developments that do not require planning

permission.

Public Consultation: The process of seeking the views of the public on a

planning application.

S

Supplementary Planning Document (SPD): A document that provides more

detailed guidance on specific planning policies.

Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own

needs.  

U

Use Class: A classification of different types of land use.

V

Viability Assessment: An assessment of the financial viability of a proposed

development.