6 Glossary

Affordable Housing
Housing subsidised in some way for people unable to rent or buy on the open housing market. The definition of 'affordable housing' includes key worker housing and shared ownership homes.

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.

Ancillary use
A subsidiary or secondary use or operation closely associated with the main use of a building or piece of land.

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)
Produced by the Council to provide an assessment of the progress made against targets and the performance of policies. The monitoring period is April to March.

Area Action Plans
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.

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
A statutory landscape designation, which recognises that a particular landscape is of national importance. The primary purpose of the designation is to conserve and enhance natural beauty of the landscape.

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 Planning Policy Statement 3 ‘Housing’.

Built-up area boundaries
These identify the areas in the District of primarily built form, rather than countryside. They identify the boundaries of sustainable settlements within which development, normally of brownfield land, may be appropriate, including infilling, redevelopment and conversions in accordance with Government guidance in PPS3 ‘Housing’ and sustainable development considerations including meeting local needs. They do not include a presumption for the development of greenfield land such as playing fields and other open space, as indicated in PPG 17 ‘Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation’. Identified built-up area boundaries do not necessarily include all existing ‘developed’ areas or imply that any development is necessarily acceptable.

Community facilities
Facilities available for use by the community. Examples include village halls, doctors’ surgeries, pubs, churches and children play areas. It may also include areas of informal open space and sports facilities.

Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)
The power to acquire land for redevelopment which includes development by private developers.

Conservation Area
An area of special architectural and/or historical interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. It is a recognition of the value of a group of buildings and their surroundings and the need to protect not just individual buildings but the character of the area as a whole.

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. Once adopted, all other Development Plan Documents must be in conformity with it.

Curtilage
The area occupied by a property and land closely associated with that building. E.g. in terms of a house and garden, the garden normally forms the curtilage of the property.

Development Plan
The statutory development plan is the starting point in the consideration of planning applications for the development or use of land. In future 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
The Local Development Framework is partly comprised of Local Development Documents. This includes Development Plan Documents within it, which in turn comprise the Core Strategy, Site Allocations, Area Action Plans, Proposals Map, General Development Control Policies.

Eco-Home
A sustainable, healthy and environmentally friendly home, using sustainable building methods, materials, energy, heating and water conservation methods.

Ecology
The interactions and relationships between plants, animals and their environment.

Enabling Development
A development that would normally be rejected as contrary to established policy, but which may be permitted because the public benefits would demonstrably outweigh the harm to other material interests.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
A process by which information about the environmental effects of a project is collected, whether by the developer or others, and taken into account by the local planning authority in determining planning applications. Project types which should be subjected to EIA, are listed in the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999.

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.

Greenfield
Land which has not been developed before. Applies to most sites outside built-up area boundaries.

Habitat
The natural home or environment of a plant or animal.

Hectare
A unit of land area equivalent to 10,000 square metres or 0.01 of a square kilometre. One Hectare is approximately equal to 2.5 acres.

Horsham District Community Partnership – Community Strategy/ Action Plan
The documents produced by the Horsham District Community Partnership (see Local Strategic 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.

Independent Examination
Undertaken on 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.

Infrastructure
A collective term for services such as roads, electricity, sewerage, water, education and health facilities.

Issues and Options preliminary consultation document
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.

Local Development Document
The Local Development Framework will be partly comprised of the Local Development Documents, prepared by the District Councils. These documents include the Statement of Community Involvement; Supplementary Planning Documents; and Development Plan Documents (being the Core Strategy, Site Allocations, Area Action Plans, Proposals Map, General Development Control Policies).

Local Development Framework
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.

Local Development Scheme
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.

Masterplan
A document 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.

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/ carried out in order to limit the damage by a particular development/ activity.

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

Preferred Options
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.

Previously Developed Land (PDL)
(See Brownfield.)

Regional Planning Guidance (RPG)/ Regional Spatial Strategies (RPS)
Central Government produces Regional Planning Guidance Notes, to be replaced by Regional Spatial Strategies which direct planning in the Regions. Current Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) covers the period up to 2016 setting the framework for the longer term future.

Remediation works
The work needed to raise the quality of land to an acceptable level before it is used or developed. For example, contaminated land may need pollutants removing.

Sequential Approach
A planning principle that seeks to identify, allocate or develop certain types or locations of land before others. For example, brownfield sites before greenfield sites, or town centre retail sites before out-of-centre sites.  In terms of employment a sequential approach would favour an employment use over mixed use and mixed use over non-employment uses.

Settlement Hierarchy
Settlements are categorised in a hierarchy based on the services and facilities in the settlement. Category 1 settlements are towns and villages with a good range of services and facilities, as well as some access to public transport. Category 2 settlements have a more limited level of services. Other settlements that have few facilities and services are therefore felt to be unsustainable locations for any growth and are not given a settlement hierarchy category.

Settlement Sustainability and Greenfield Site Allocations Study
A study undertaken by independent consultants on behalf of the Council. It examined travel to work patterns and the provision of services and facilities in different settlements across the District.  The results of this work was used to assess the sustainability of different towns and villages in the District, and therefore help  the Council decide on the most suitable locations for smaller greenfield developments.

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
A site identified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) as an area of special interest by reason of any of its wildlife or geology.

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 Planning
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.

Stakeholders
Groups, individuals or organisations which may be affected by or have a key interest in a development proposal or planning policy.  They may often be experts in their field or represent the views of many people.

Statement of Community Involvement
This sets out the standards to be achieved by the local authority in involving the community in the preparation, alteration and continuing review of all Local Development Documents and planning applications. The Statement is a clear public statement enabling the community to know how and when they will be involved in the preparation of Local Development Documents and how they will be consulted on planning applications.

Statement of Compliance
A report or statement issued by the local planning authority explaining how they have complied with the Town and Country Planning Regulations 2004 and their Statement of Community Involvement during consultation on Local Development Documents.

Statutory Development Plan
The Development Plan for an area which has been taken to statutory adoption. In other words, it has been through all the formal stages and has been approved by the relevant Government office and adopted by the Council.

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.

Strategic Road Network (SRN)
A road network designated in the West Sussex Structure Plan, comprising of the M23 motorway, the trunk roads, and some other class A roads of more than local importance. These are the main routes which are best able to cater for trips starting or ending outside West Sussex.

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. Under the new planning system, structure plans will no longer be prepared and strategic planning will take place through the preparation of statutory regional spatial strategies which will replace regional planning guidance.

Submission
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.

Supplementary Planning Guidance/ Supplementary Planning Documents
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 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 (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.

Test of Soundness
Please refer to the guidance booklet produced by Horsham District Council 'How to Make Effective Representations'.

Transport Assessment
An assessment of the availability of, and levels of access to, all forms of transportation. It also includes an assessment of the impact of development on the transportation network.

Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
A mechanism for securing the preservation of single or groups of trees of acknowledged amenity value which maybe under threat.

Urban Housing Potential Study 2004-2016
A paper produced that considers the potential of underused, vacant and derelict sites, and assesses the scope for reusing existing buildings for housing.  There will be continued detailed monitoring of unidentified sites coming forward, and the document will be updated if the position changes, as and when required.

Village or Parish Design Statements (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.

Waste Local Plan
A statutory development plan prepared (or saved) by the waste planning authority (West Sussex County Council) under transitional arrangements before the production of a Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework. The Waste Local Plan sets out polices in relation to waste management and related developments.

Windfall site
A site not specifically allocated for development in a development plan, but which unexpectedly becomes available for development during the lifetime of a plan. Most "windfalls" are referred to in a housing context. They tend to be very small sites for one or a small number of homes.