Glossary

Affordable Housing
See Appendix 1

Amenity
A positive element or elements that contribute to the overall character or enjoyment of an area. For example, open land, trees, historic buildings and the inter-relationship between them, or less tangible factors such as tranquillity.

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)
Produced by the Council annually to review the progress made against milestones set out within the Local Development Scheme and the performance of planning policies. The monitoring period runs from 1st April to 31st March.

Biodiversity
The whole variety of life on earth. It includes all species of plants and animals, their genetic variation and the ecosystems of which they are a part.

Brownfield
Previously developed land (PDL). In the sequential approach this is preferable to Greenfield land. Previously-developed land is that 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. A precise definition is included in Appendix B of Planning Policy Statement 3 'Housing'.

The Core Strategy
The Core Strategy sets out the key elements of the planning framework for the area. It is comprised of a spatial vision and strategic objectives for the area; a spatial strategy; core policies; and a monitoring and implementation framework with clear objectives for achieving delivery. Having been adopted in February 2007, all other Development Plan Documents must be in conformity with it.

Development Plan Documents (DPD)
The Local Development Framework is partly comprised of Development Plan Documents which local planning authorities must prepare. These include the core strategy; general development control policies; site specific allocations; a proposals map (with inset maps, where necessary); and the area action plans (AAP). Development Plan Documents will be spatial planning documents and subject to independent Examination.

Environmental measures
Actions taken as part of a new development designed to protect the environment and mitigate the impact of the development on the local environment.

Environmental infrastructure
The basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of key systems such as the sewerage network, drainage systems as well as improvements made to water courses and habitats.

Farm diversification
The introduction of non–agricultural enterprises (such as bed and breakfast) to support an existing farm business.

General Development Control Policies
These are policies which set out criteria against which planning applications for development and use of land and buildings will be considered. Such policies will ensure that development accords with the spatial vision and objectives set out in the core strategy.

Gross internal floorspace
The entire area inside the external walls of a building and includes corridors, lifts, plant rooms, service accommodation e.g. toilets, but excludes internal walls. The difference between gross internal floorspace and gross external area is typically between 2.5 and 5%.

Home zone
A street or group of streets designed primarily to meet the interests of pedestrians and cyclists rather than motorists, opening up the street for social use.

Horsham District Community Partnership – Community Strategy/ Action Plan
The documents produced by the Horsham District Community Partnership. The Community Strategy outlines the needs and priorities of the community, and which also shapes the activities of the organisations within the partnerships to fulfil those needs and priorities. The Action Plan identifies the short-term activities and priorities to achieve the visions in the strategy.

Housing Quality Indicators (HQI)
A set of criteria used by the Housing Corporation to assess the quality of a new affordable housing scheme principally in terms of design, location and external environment.

Key workers
Defined by national government as public sector employees such as nurses, police, teachers, prison staff, fire fighters. Not all public sector employees are considered key workers and the definition can vary across regions.

Lifetime Homes Standards
A design standard for residential property designed and built so that they can easily be adapted in the future to enable the current resident(s) to remain in their home regardless of any changes in their mobility, for example, a lift can be inserted through the ceiling, the property is wheel chair accessible, internal beams are of sufficient strength to receive a hoist, bathrooms can be adapted to incorporate walk in showers.

Local Development Framework (LDF)
The Local Development Framework is not a statutory term, however it sets out, in the form of a 'portfolio/ folder’, the Local Development Documents which collectively deliver the spatial planning strategy for the local planning authority's area. The Local Development Framework will be comprised of Local Development Documents, and Supplementary Planning Documents. The Local Development Framework will also include the Statement of Community Involvement, the Local Development Scheme and the Annual Monitoring Report.

Masterplan
A type of planning brief outlining the preferred use of land and the overall approach to the layout in order to provide detailed guidance for subsequent planning applications.

Material consideration
A matter that should be taken into account in deciding a planning application or on an appeal against a planning decision.

Mitigation measures
These are measures requested or carried out in order to limit the damage by a particular development or activity.

Multi-court
A hard-surfaced enclosed ball games court which can be used for a variety of sports.

Output indicator
Indicators measuring the direct effect of a policy. Used to assess whether policy targets have been achieved using the available information.

Open market value
The value a property might reasonably fetch if sold on the open market where there is a willing buyer and a willing seller.

Parish Plan
A parish plan is a statement of how the local community sees itself developing over the next few years. They should reflect the views of all sections of the community, identify character and features which local people feel are important, identify local problems and opportunities and will say how the residents want the community to develop. An action plan is usually prepared following this. A number of parishes in the District have produced or are producing Parish Plans/Action Plans.

Plan, Monitor and Manage
A means of measuring and reviewing policy, involving the adjustment of policy through monitoring if it proves necessary.

Planning gain
Refers to items that a developer would not normally regard as commercial necessities for the development, but which are nevertheless required in the public interest if the site is to produce an acceptable development.

Planning Gain Supplement (PGS)
The name given to the fiscal system of ‘capturing’ a percentage of the increase in value of land once it has been granted planning permission for residential, commercial or other types of development. The PGS would be used to pay for infrastructure and other items of ‘planning gain’.

Planning Obligation
A legally binding agreement between the local planning authority and persons with an interest in a piece of land. Planning obligations are used to secure funds or works for significant and essential elements of a scheme to make it acceptable in planning terms. Planning obligations will have been set out in an agreement often known as a ‘Section 106 Agreement’ and may be used to prescribe the nature of development, to compensate for loss or damaged created by development or to mitigate a development’s impact on surrounding built and natural environment. Circular 5/2005 sets out the national policy that regulates these agreements.

Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG)/ Planning Policy Statements (PPS)
Central Government produce Planning Policy Guidance Notes, to be replaced by Planning Policy Statements which direct planning in the country.

Previously developed land
See Brownfield

Protected species
Plant and animal species afforded protection under certain Government Acts and Regulations.

Public art
The creation of an art or craftwork project designed and/or made by professional artists and craftspeople, which enhances the appearance of the public realm.

Registered Social Landlord (RSL)
An independent housing organisation registered with the Housing Corporation under the Housing Act 1996. They may be Industrial and Provident Societies, registered charities or private companies.

Significant effects indicators
An indicator that measures the significant effects of the plan. These effects could be social, economic or environmental and the criteria by which they are judged ‘significant’ is set out in the SA/SEA.

South East Plan
The Plan is being prepared by the South East England Regional Assembly (for approval by the Secretary of State) between now and 2008. It will set out a vision for the region through to 2026, focusing on improvements that are needed to ensure the region remains economically successful and an attractive place to live. Important issues such as housing, transport, economy and the environment will be addressed. Once approved it will become a legal document that local authorities and other Government agencies in the region will have to follow.

Spatial Strategy
A broad overview of how spatial planning objectives can be achieved within the development plan. Spatial planning goes beyond traditional land use planning to bring together and integrate policies for the development and use of land with other policies and programmes which influence the nature of places and how they function. This will include policies which can impact on land use, for example, by influencing the demands on or needs for development, but which are not capable of being delivered solely or mainly through the granting of planning permission and may be delivered through other means.

Strategic Locations
Broad locations for major mixed-use development, including housing, identified within the West Sussex Structure Plan 2001 -2016. The precise locations and boundaries, mix of uses, and phasing of development to be identified in the relevant local plan i.e. in this District the Horsham District Local Development Framework.

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD)
Where prepared under the new planning system, Supplementary Planning Documents will be included in the Local Development Framework and will form part of the planning framework for the area. Supplementary planning documents may cover a range of issues, both topic and site specific, which may expand policy or provide further detail to policies in a Development Plan Document.

Sustainable Communities
Places planned as part of the Government’s ‘Sustainable Communities Plan’. CLG defines them as “Places where people want to live and work, now and in the futureThey meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of life. They are safe and inclusive, well planned, built and run, and offer equality of opportunity and good services for all.”

Sustainable Development
A development that is ‘sustainable’ must be consistent with the principles of sustainable development. In broad terms this means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The Government has set out five guiding principles for sustainable development in its strategy “Securing the future - UK Government strategy for sustainable development”. The five guiding principles, to be achieved simultaneously, are: Living within environmental limits; Ensuring a strong healthy and just society; Achieving a sustainable economy; Promoting good governance; and Using sound science responsibly.

Sustainability Appraisal / Strategic Environmental Assessment (SA/SEA)
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires Local Development Documents to be prepared with a view to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development. Sustainability Appraisal is a systematic appraisal process. The purpose of sustainability appraisal is to appraise the social, environmental and economic effects of the strategies and policies in a Local Development Document from the outset of the preparation process. This will ensure that decisions are made that accord with sustainable development. In addition, European legislation requires that the environmental effects of certain plans are assessed, documented and where necessary adverse effects corrected. This process is commonly known as Strategic Environmental Assessment, and when carried out for LDF documents, is combined with the Sustainability Appraisal process.

Transport Assessment (TA)
An appraisal of the likely traffic generation impacts resulting from new development, taking into account the measures which are required to improve road safety and promote walking, cycling and the use of public transport.

Travel Plan
A framework developed by businesses and organisations for changing travel habits in order to provide an environment which encourages more sustainable travel patterns and less dependence on single occupancy private car use. For example, an employer may use the plan to introduce car sharing schemes or secure cycle parking facilities. Travel Plans must have measurable outcomes and should be related to targets in the West Sussex Local Transport Plan.