Glossary and Abbreviations
Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)
In December of each year, the Council will produce an Annual Monitoring Report which will set out its progress in achieving
set goals over the previous financial year (April-March). The AMR will cover both the production of documents identified in
the LDS and the achievement of targets in those documents.
Adoption
The formal process by which the LDF documents become valid and replace the previous Local Plan.
Area Action Plans (AAP)
Area Action Plans are used to provide the planning framework for areas where significant change or conservation is needed.
A key feature of Area Action Plans will be the focus on implementation. They will deliver the planned ‘growth’ areas and resolve
conflicting objectives in the areas subject to the major development pressures.
Community
A generic term which includes all individuals (including the general public) and organisations external to the Council. It
includes the statutory and other consultees (stakeholders).
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. Once adopted, all other Development Plan Documents must be in conformity with it.
Development Plan
The statutory development plan is the starting point in the consideration of planning applications for the development or
use of land. Under the new planning system introduced by the 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act, the development plan
will consist of Regional Spatial Strategies prepared by the regional planning bodies; and Development Plan Documents prepared
by the District Council, with Minerals and Waste Development Plan Documents, prepared by County Councils.
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. There will be a right for those making representations seeking change to be heard at an
independent examination.
Examination
See Independent Examination.
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.
Head of Development (HoD)
The leading planning officer in the Council’s development control section who is responsible for determination of the majority
of planning applications as set out in the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.
Horsham District Community Partnership
A group of public, private, voluntary and community organisations and individuals that is responsible for preparing the Community
Strategy. 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.
Independent Examination
Undertaken to test the ‘soundness’ of the Submission Local Development Framework Documents. The examination is held by an
independent Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State. The final report is binding on the Council. For Development Plan
Documents an examination is held even if there are no representations.
Issues and Options Stage
This was a the first stage in the production of development plan documents which the Council brings possible issues and options
for the District into the public domain, in order to generate responses to aid the development of the ‘Preferred Options’
development documents, which is a statutory stage of the Local Development Framework preparation for the District.
Joint Area Action Plan
See Area Action Plans (AAP)
Local Action Plan
An action plan produced by the Horsham District Community Partnership identifying the short-term activities and priorities
to achieve the visions in the Community Strategy.
Local Development and Transport Advisory Group (LoDTAG)
A cross party group of Council members who work with and advise the Cabinet Member for Strategic Land Use Planning on planning
policy issues.
Local Development Documents (LDD)
Comprise of development plan documents (DPD); supplementary planning documents (SPD); and the Statement of Community Involvement
(SCI).
Local Development Framework (LDF)
A portfolio of local development documents (LDD) which will provide the framework for delivering the spatial planning strategy
for the area.
Local Development Scheme (LDS)
This is a public statement of the Council’s programme for the production of Local Development Documents. The scheme will be
revised when necessary. This may either be as a result of the Annual Monitoring Report which should identify whether the Council
has achieved the timetable set out in the original scheme or if there is a need to revise and/or prepare new local development
documents.
Masterplanning
The process of outlining the use of land and the overall approach to the design and layout of a development scheme in order
to provide detailed guidance for subsequent planning applications.
Planning Obligations
Legal agreements between a planning authority and a developer, or undertakings offered unilaterally by a developer, that ensure
that certain extra works related to a development are undertaken, for example, the provision of highways. These are sometimes
called "Section 106" agreements.
Proposals Map
Illustrates, on an Ordnance Survey base, all the policies and proposals in development plan documents (DPD). It will be revised
as new DPDs are prepared and it will always reflect the up-to-date planning strategy for the area.
Preferred Options Stage
This stage of preparing documents takes into account the communities comments, having regard to them in the preparation of
the final Development Plan Document. The intention is to provide sufficient information to ensure that people can understand
the implications of the Preferred Options. The aim of the formal public participation on the Preferred Options stage is to
give people the opportunity to comment on how the local planning authority is approaching the preparation of the particular
Development Plan Document and to ensure that the Council it is aware of all possible options before it prepares the final
‘submission’ Development Plan Document which is the next stage in the process.
Public Consultation
Either informal or formal processes for involving the community (individuals and organisations external to the Council) in
planning processes. Usually involves the publication of a consultation document which is available for public inspection
and comment over a set period (normally six weeks for development plans).
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)
To be prepared by the South East England Regional Assembly (the regional planning body). The regional spatial strategy will
set out the policies in relation to the development and use of land in the region. When it is approved by the First Secretary
of State it will replace the current Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9).
Scheme of Delegation
In accordance with Government guidance, the Council enables the majority of planning applications, i.e. those that are not
contentious, to be determined by the Head of Development under officer delegated powers. Full details of the Scheme of Delegation
are set out in the Council's Constitution (which is available on the website – www.horsham.gov.uk). Examples of delegated
decisions include householder developments, changes of use, advertisements and minor commercial development. Consideration
of such matters under delegated powers is removed where a person makes a representation and wishes to address the relevant
Committee.
Site Specific Allocations of Land
A document detailing the allocations of sites for specific or mixed uses or development. Policies will identify any specific
requirements for individual proposals and all site specific proposals will be identified in the Proposals Map.
Soundness
A Development Plan Document is considered sound if it is based upon good evidence and has been prepared in accordance with
all the necessary procedures including the measures set out in the authority's Statement of Community Involvement.
Stakeholders
A combination of statutory consultees, as identified in legislation and Government guidance, and other organisations which
are identified by the Council as having a 'stake' or interest in the preparation of a development plan.
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
Sets out the standards which the plan making authority intend to achieve in relation to involving the community in the preparation,
alteration and continuing review of all local development documents (LDD) and dealing with planning applications. It also
sets out how the local planning authority intends to achieve those standards. The Statement of Community Involvement will
not be a development plan document but will be subject to independent examination. A consultation statement showing how the
local planning authority has complied with its Statement of Community Involvement will be required for all local development
documents.
Statutory Consultees
Public, private or voluntary groups and organisations identified in legislation and Government guidance as having an interest
in the preparation of a development plan. The Local Authority has to consult with these organisations at each consultation
stage of the Local Development Framework.
Structure Plan
Sets out the County Council’s general strategy, policies and main proposals for land use and transport over a period of about
15 years. Consists of a statutory written statement (the policies) and key diagram together with non-statutory explanatory
memorandum. Structure plans will no longer be prepared within the new planning system.
Submission Stage
The final stage in preparation of Development Plan Documents and the Statement of Community Involvement. The documents are
sent to the Secretary of State and an independent examination will be held. Following the successful completion of this process,
the DPD may be adopted by the Council.
Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD)
Where required, they cover a wide range of issues on which the plan-making authority wishes to provide policy guidance to
supplement the policies and proposals in development plan documents (DPD). They will not form part of the development plan
or be subject to independent examination.
Sustainability Appraisal (SA)/ Strategic Environmental Assessment (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. This process includes formal environmental assessments of the policies and proposals in the
DPD.
Tests of Soundness
See Soundness.
Village (or Parish) Design Statement (VDS)
The VDS is written by the relevant local community and includes a thorough consultation and community involvement process.
It describes the character of a village or parish including its countryside or landscape setting, the form of the settlement
and the characteristics and details of the buildings and spaces within the village. The VDS in the form of design guidance
helps to inform planners, developers and other interested parties about the important characteristics of the village, as determined
by that community, and will influence new development. If adopted by the District Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance
/ Document it will become a material consideration in the determination of a planning application.
Abbreviations:
AAP: Area Action Plan
AMR: Annual Monitoring Report
CAB: Citizens Advice Bureau
DPD: Development Plan Document
HoD: Head of Development
JAAP Joint Area Action Plan
LDD: Local Development Document
LDF: Local Development Framework
LDS: Local Development Scheme
LoDTAG: Local Development and Transport Advisory Group
RSS: Regional Spatial Strategy
SA/SEA: Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment
SCI: Statement of Community Involvement
SPD: Supplementary Planning Documents
VDS: Village (or Parish) Design Statement