Appendix 10: Glossary

20-Minute Neighbourhood

Model of urban development that creates neighbourhoods where daily services can be accessed within a 20-minute walk.

Accessible Green Space Standards

Model standards devised by Natural England for the provision of ‘natural’ greenspace,

i.e. accessible areas that also provide Accessible Green Space Standards potential wildlife habitat. The model sets out that no person should live more than 300m from their nearest area of natural greenspace of at least 2ha in size; that there should be at least one accessible 20ha site within 2km of home; that there should be one accessible 100ha site within 5km of home; and that there should be one accessible 500ha site within 10km of home.

Access to Natural Greenspace Standard (ANGSt)

ANGSt is a tool in assessing current levels of accessible natural greenspace, and planning for better provision. The three underlying principles of ANGSt are:

• Improving access to greenspaces
• Improving naturalness of greenspaces
• Improving connectivity with greenspaces.

ANGST sets a maximum recommended standard on walking distance people should have to travel to have access to accessible natural greenspace.

Active Travel

‘Active travel’ (or active transportation or mobility) means walking or cycling as an alternative to motorised transport (notably cars, motorbikes/mopeds etc) for the purpose of making every day journeys.

Adoption

The approval, after independent examination, of the final version of a Local Plan by a

Housing for sale or rent, for those whose needs are not met by the market (including housing that provides a subsidised route to home ownership and/or is for essential local workers).

Affordable housing for rent: meets all of the following conditions: (a) the rent is set in accordance with the Government’s rent policy for Social Rent or Affordable Rent, or is at least 20% below local market rents (including service charges where applicable); (b) the landlord is a registered provider, except where it is included as part of a Build to Rent scheme (in which case the landlord need not be a registered provider); and (c) it includes provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households, or for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision. For Build to Rent schemes affordable housing for rent is expected to be the normal form of affordable housing provision (and, in this context, is known as Affordable Private Rent).

Discounted market sales housing: is that sold at a discount of at least 20% below local market value. Eligibility is determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices. Provisions should be in place to ensure housing remains at a discount for future eligible households.

Other affordable routes to home ownership is housing provided for sale that provides a route to ownership for those who could not achieve home ownership through the

market. It includes shared ownership, relevant equity loans, other low-cost homes for sale (at a price equivalent to at least 20% below local market value) and rent to buy (which includes a period of intermediate rent). Where public grant funding is provided, there should be provisions for the homes to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households, or for any receipts to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision or refunded to government or the relevant authority specified in the funding agreement.

Air Quality Assessment (AQA)

An assessment undertaken to establish the baseline air quality.

Air Quality Management Plan

Plan which outlines actions to improve air quality in an area.

Air Quality Management Area

An AQMA is a spatial designation for an area which has failed to meet national air quality guidelines. The size of the AQMA depends on the extent of the air quality issue, and its size can range from covering a single street to a local authority area. Once an AQMA has been declared, the local authority is required to prepare a Local Air Quality Action Plan to bring the area in line with national emission reduction commitments.

Ancient Woodland

An area that has been wooded continuously since at least 1600 AD. It includes ancient semi-natural woodland and plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS).

A subsidiary use connected to the main use of a building or piece of land.

Assured Performance Process (APP) (NEF/GHA)

The APP provides independent and expert input to the development process to minimise the energy, overheating, and indoor air quality performance gap.

GHA - The Good Homes Alliance NEF - National Energy Foundation

Authority Monitoring Report (AMR)

A report produced at least annually assessing the progress of the Local Development Scheme (LDS) and the extent to which policies in Local Development Documents are being successfully implemented.

Appropriate Assessment

A process required by European Directives (Birds Directive 79/409/EEC and Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC) to avoid adverse effects of plans, programmes and projects on Natura 2000 sites and thereby maintain the integrity of the Natura 2000 network and its features.

Archaeological Interest

There will be archaeological interest in a heritage asset if it holds, or potentially holds, evidence of past human activity worthy of expert investigation at some point.

Area Action Plan (AAP)

A type of Development Plan Document focused on an area which will be subject to significant change.

Article 4 Direction

These are a means by which a local planning authority (LPA) can bring within planning control certain types of development, or changes of use, which would normally be permitted development (i.e. not require an application for planning permission).

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is seen as the total complexity of all life, including not only the great variety of organisms, but also their varying behaviour and interactions.

Biodiversity Action Plan

A strategy to safeguard the biodiversity of a specific area.

Biodiversity Net Gain

BNG is an approach to development. It makes sure that habitats for wildlife are left in a measurably better state than they were before the development.

Blue infrastructure refers to water elements, like rivers, canals, ponds, wetlands, floodplains and water treatment facilities.

BREEAM

Sustainability assessment method for master planning projects, infrastructure and buildings. It recognises and reflects the value in higher performing assets across the built environment lifecycle, from new construction to in-use and refurbishment.

Brexit

Brexit refers to the withdrawal process of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU).

Building Regulations

Building Regulations are minimum standards for design, construction and alterations to virtually every building. The regulations are developed by government and approved by Parliament.

Building Regulations Part L 2021 (BRUKL Report)

A BRUKL report, or Building Regulations UK Part L report, is a document that demonstrates that a non-domestic building complies with the UK’s building regulations for fuel and power conservation:

It is a summary of the results of SBEM calculations, which estimates a building’s energy performance and annual carbon emissions.

Building Research Establishment Domestic Energy Model (BREDEM)

A calculation method for estimating how much energy a building uses based on its characteristics.

Carbon Offsetting

Any activity that compensates for the emission of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases by providing for an emission reduction elsewhere.

Carbon Sequestration

Often referred to as carbon dioxide removal, this is the long-term removal, capture or sequestration of greenhouse gasses, particularly carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow or reverse atmospheric CO2 pollution and to mitigate or reverse global warming. In practice this could be through the storage of carbon in plants, soils, geologic formations, and the ocean.

CIBSE TM54

TM54, published by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), provides guidance for evaluating operational energy use during the design stage of buildings, and addresses energy performance gaps in buildings. It is typically used for non-residential areas not covered by SAP assessments; however, it can be applied to various building types.

Circular Economy

The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible.

Climate Change

The lasting and significant change in weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to hundreds of years, impacting on river and sea levels and the rate of flows on watercourses.

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Climate change adaptation: Adjustments to natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic factors or their effects, including from changes in rainfall and rising temperatures, which moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities.

Climate change mitigation: Action to reduce the impact of human activity on the climate system, primarily through reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Community Forest

An area identified through the England Community Forest Programme to revitalise countryside and green space in and around major conurbations.

Community Gardens

An open space, suitable for growing plants, run and formally managed by the actual gardeners themselves.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

A levy allowing local authorities to raise funds from owners or developers of land undertaking new building projects in their area.

Community Right to Build Order

An Order made by the local planning authority (under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) that grants planning permission for a site-specific development proposal or classes of development.

Comparison Retail

Retail items not bought on a frequent basis, for example televisions, clothes and white goods (fridges, dishwashers etc).

Conservation Area

An area designated by the District Council under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed historical interest, the character or appearance of which is desirable to preserve or enhance. There are additional controls over demolition, minor developments and the felling of trees.

Conservation Target Areas (CTA)

These are county-wide important areas of landscape that present the best opportunities for prioritising the conservation, enhancement and re-creation of designated sites and important habitats.

Consultation

A process by which people and organisations are asked their views about planning decisions, including the Local Plan.

Convenience Retail

The provision of everyday essential items, such as food.

Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000

Provides for public access on foot to certain types of land, amends the law relating to public rights of way.

Decentralised Energy

Local renewable energy and local low-carbon energy usually, but not always, on a relatively small scale encompassing a diverse range of technologies.

Deliverability

To be considered deliverable, sites for housing should be available now, offer a suitable location for development now, and be achievable with a realistic prospect that housing will be delivered on the site within 5 years. In particular:

sites which do not involve major development and have planning permission, and all sites with detailed planning permission should be considered deliverable until permission expires, unless there is clear evidence that homes will not be delivered within 5 years (for example because they are no longer viable, there is no longer a demand for the type of units or sites have long term phasing plans).

where a site has outline planning permission for major development, has been allocated in a development plan, has a grant of permission in principle, or is identified on a brownfield register, it should only be considered deliverable where there is clear evidence that housing completions will begin on site within 5 years.

Designated Heritage Asset

A World Heritage Site, Scheduled Monument, Listed Building, Protected Wreck Site, Registered Parks and Gardens, Registered Battlefield or Conservation Area designated under the relevant legislation.

A set of illustrated design requirements that provide specific, detailed parameters for the physical development of a site or area. The graphic and written components of the code should build upon a design vision, such as a masterplan or other design and development framework for a site or area.

Design Guide

A document providing guidance on how development can be carried out in accordance with good design practice, often produced by a local authority.

Design and Access Statement

A report accompanying and supporting a planning application as required by the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order

2010 as amended. They provide a framework for applicants to explain how a proposed development is a suitable response to the site and its setting and demonstrate that it can be adequately accessed by prospective users.

Development Plan

The statutory term used to refer to the adopted spatial plans and policies that apply to a particular local planning authority area. This includes adopted Local Plans (including Minerals and Waste Plans) and Neighbourhood Development Plans and is defined by Section 38 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Development Plan Documents (DPDs)

Documents which make up the Local Plan. All DPDs are subject to public consultation and independent examination.

District Wildlife Sites

A site that has been recognised as having value for wildlife when assessed against a set of criteria. It is one tier below County Wildlife Site (CWS) in status.

Duty to Cooperate

A statutory duty placed on public bodies to cooperate constructively, actively and on an on-going basis to maximise the effectiveness of Local Plan preparation in the context of strategic cross boundary matters.

Eco-innovation Hub

A ‘green technology’ cluster of environmental goods and services businesses.

Eco-town

A small new town of at least 5-20,000 homes. They are intended to exploit the potential to create a completely new settlement to achieve zero carbon development and more sustainable living using the best new design and architecture.

Ecosystem Services

Services provided by the natural environment that benefit people.

Embodied Energy

The energy bound up in making a building’s materials, transporting them to the site and constructing the building.

Employment Land

A designation that has defined boundaries and is used to safeguard areas in the district for employment uses, both existing and proposed, as designated by the Local Plan or a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Employment Land Review (ELR)

An evidence base study to assess the quantity, quality and viability of the district’s employment land supply and forecast the future demand for employment land over the next planning period.

Employment Uses

Commercial, Business and Service uses as defined in Class B and E of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (England) Regulations.

Evidence Base

The information and data collated by local authorities to support the policy approach set out in the Local Plan.

Examination

The process by which an independent Planning Inspector considers whether a Development Plan Document is ‘sound’ before it can be adopted.

Exception Test

The Exception Test provides a method of managing flood risk while still allowing necessary development to occur. The Exception Test is only appropriate for use when there are large areas in Flood Zones 2 and 3, where the Sequential Test alone cannot deliver acceptable sites, but where some continuing development is necessary for wider sustainable development reasons, taking into account the need to avoid social or economic blight.

Extra Care Housing

Extra Care Housing is a type of self-contained housing that offers care and support that falls somewhere between traditional sheltered housing and residential care.

Five Year Housing Land Supply

A Five-Year Housing Land Supply is a forward-looking measure of whether a Local Planning Authority (LPA) has sufficient sites to meet its housing requirement in the next five-years.Flood and Water Management Act 2010

An Act to make provision about water, including provision about the management of risks in connection with flooding and coastal erosion. The Act makes County Councils responsible for leading the coordination of flood risk management in the area as the Lead Local Flood Authority.

Flood Zone 1

Land having a less than 1 in 1,000 annual probabilities of river or sea flooding. This is the zone at lowest flood risk.

Flood Zone 2

Land having between a 1 in 100 and 1 in 1,000 annual probability of river flooding; or Land having between a 1 in 200 and 1 in 1,000 annual probability of sea flooding.

Flood Zone 3/Flood Zone 3a

Land having a 1 in 100 or greater annual probability of river flooding; or Land having a 1 in 200 or greater annual probability of sea flooding. This is the zone at the highest flood risk.

Flood Zone 3b

This zone comprises land where water has to flow or be stored in times of flood. Local planning authorities should identify in their Strategic Flood Risk Assessments areas of functional floodplain and its boundaries, accordingly, in agreement with the Environment Agency.

Freeboard

The distance between the design flood level and the underside of a building. It is a safety margin that accounts for uncertainties in flood estimation and other factors, such as: Post-construction settlement and Wave action.

Future Homes Standard

The Future Homes Standard is a set of rules embedded in the Building Regulations that will come into effect in 2025 to ensure new homes produce less carbon emissions.

Geodiversity

The range of rocks, minerals, fossils, soils and landforms.

Green Belt

A designation for land around certain cities and large built-up areas, which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely undeveloped.

Green Corridors

Green spaces that provide avenues for wildlife movement, often along streams, rivers or other natural features. They often provide pleasant walks for the public away from main roads.

Garden Town

A new settlement that is planned to enhance the natural environment and provide high-quality, affordable housing. Garden towns are typically planned to have locally accessible work, and to create healthy, sociable communities.

Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure includes sites protected for their importance to wildlife or the environment, nature reserves, greenspaces and greenway linkages. Together they provide a network of green space both urban and rural, providing a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits.

Gypsies and Traveller

Persons of nomadic habit of life whatever their race or origin, including such persons who on grounds only of their own or their family’s or dependant’s educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently, and all other persons with a cultural tradition of nomadism or of living in a caravan, but excluding members of an organised group of travelling show people or circus people travelling together as such.

Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA)

HRA is required under the European Directive 92/43/ECC on the “conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora for plans” that Habitats Regulations.

Assessments (HRA) may have an impact of European (Natura 2000) Sites. HRA is an assessment of the impacts of implementing a plan or policy on a Natura 2000 Site.

Habitats Site

Any site which would be included within the definition at regulation 8 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 for the purpose of those regulations, including candidate Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Community Importance, Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and any relevant Marine Sites.

Hazardous Substance

Any material that has the intrinsic nature of being toxic, explosive, prone to ignite, radioactive, corrosive or otherwise detrimental to human, animal and/or environmental health.

Heritage Asset

A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. It includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing).

Information services that seek to provide access to comprehensive and dynamic resources relating to the historic environment of a defined geographic area for public benefit and use. Oxfordshire County Council hold the Historic Environment Record for the County.

House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

A building, or part of a building, that is occupied by 3 or more persons who do not form a single household.

Housing Market Area

A housing market area is a geographical area defined by household demand and preferences for all types of housing, reflecting the key functional linkages between places where people live and work.

Housing Need

The quantity of housing required for households who are unable to access suitable housing without financial assistance.

Housing Need Assessment (HNA)

An assessment of housing need and affordable housing need.

Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)

An indicative measure of deprivation for small areas across England.

Infilling

The filling of a small gap in an otherwise built-up frontage or on other sites within settlements where the site is closely surrounded by buildings.

Infrastructure

All the ancillary works and services which are necessary to support human activities, including roads, sewers, schools, hospitals, and services and facilities etc.

Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP)

The IDP’s role is to identify all items of infrastructure needed to ensure the delivery of the growth targets and policies contained in the Local Infrastructure Delivery Plan

(IDP) Plan. This ensures that an appropriate supply of essential infrastructure is provided alongside new homes, workplaces and other forms of development.

Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS)

The IFS is a summary of all financial and non-financial developer contributions that we have been involved with over the course of a given financial year. It contains the

following: information on Section 106 (S106); legal agreements under the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL); and examples of infrastructure projects that have been delivered, planned or contributions allocated towards.

International, National and Locally Designated Sites of Importance for Biodiversity

All international sites (Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, and Ramsar sites), national sites (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and locally designated sites including Local Wildlife Sites.

LAP

Local Area for Play.

LEAP

Local Equipped Area for Play.

Lifetime Homes Standards

Incorporates 16 design criteria that can be universally applied to new homes at minimal cost. Each design feature adds to the comfort and convenience of the home and supports the changing needs of individuals and families at different stages of life.

Listed Building

Buildings and structures which are listed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are being of special architectural and historic interest and whose protection and maintenance are the subject of special legislation.

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs)

Ten-year plans for investing in walking and cycling within a defined area.

Local Development Documents (LDDs)

The collective term for Development Plan Documents, Supplementary Planning Documents and other documents containing statements relating to planning policy and the development and use of land.

Local Development Order (LDO)

An Order made by a local planning authority (under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) that grants planning permission for a specific development proposal or classes of development.

Local Development Scheme (LDS)

A Local Development Scheme is a statutory document required to specify (among other matters) the documents which, when prepared, will comprise the Local Plan for the area. It sets out the programme for the preparation of these documents.

Local Geological Sites

Sites that are considered worthy of protection for their Earth Science or landscape importance but are not already protected as SSSIs.

Local Green Space designation is a way to provide special protection against development for green areas of particular importance to local communities.

Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

A body, designated by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, established for the purpose of creating or improving the conditions for economic growth in an area.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS)

A system of spatial strategies for nature and environmental improvement required by law under the Environment Act 2021. The main purpose of the LNRS is to identify locations to create or improve habitat most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment. The LNRS will set out habitats, and the species

they support, that are priorities for habitat creation and enhancement measures in the strategy area.

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)

Areas of natural heritage that are at least locally important.

Local Plan

The plan for the local area which sets out the long-term spatial vision and development framework for the District and strategic policies and proposals to deliver that vision.

Local Plan Viability Assessment (LPVA)

This Assessment considers the cumulative impact of the proposed policy requirements on the viability of development across a range of site typologies and locations.

Local Service Centre

Local Service Centres are large villages with, or are planned to have, a level of services and facilities, and local employment opportunities to provide the next best opportunities for sustainable development outside the Main Towns.

Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)

A group of people and organisations from the local community including from public, private, community and voluntary sectors within a local authority area, with the objective of improving the quality of life of the local community.

Local Transport Plan (LTP)

A transport strategy prepared by the local highways authority (the County Council).

Localism Act 2011

The Localism Act introduced changes to the planning system (amongst other changes to local government) including making provision for the revocation of Regional Spatial Strategies, introducing the Duty to Cooperate and Neighbourhood Planning.

For housing, development where 10 or more homes will be provided, or the site has an area of 0.5 hectares or more. For non-residential development it means additional

floorspace of 1,000m2 or more, or a site of 1 hectare or more, or as otherwise provided in the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.

Material Consideration

This is a matter that should be taken into account in deciding a planning application or on an appeal against a planning decision. This can include issues such as overlooking/ loss of privacy, parking, noise, effect on listed building and conservation area, or effect on nature conservation etc.

Minerals Resources of Local and National Importance

Minerals which are necessary to meet society’s needs, including aggregates, brickclay (especially Etruria Marl and fireclay), silica sand (including high grade silica sands), coal derived fly ash in single use deposits, cement raw materials, gypsum, salt, fluorspar, shallow and deep-mined coal, oil and gas (including conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons), tungsten, kaolin, ball clay, potash, polyhalite and local minerals of importance to heritage assets and local distinctiveness.

Modular Homes

A house which is built within a factory and then transported to the specified building location.

MUGA

Multi-Use Games Area.

NABERS (UK)

NABERS ratings are used to assess and rate the energy efficiency and environmental impact of buildings. They consider factors such as energy and water consumption, waste management, and the quality of the indoor environment, to provide a more accurate understanding of how much energy an office uses in practice. It also helps identify areas for savings and improvements.

National Landscape

Areas of National Landscape designations are defined by a set of special qualities which contribute to the areas outstanding scenic quality and underpin the necessity for their designation. A small area of the Cotswolds National Landscape falls within the District.

National Planning Policy (NPPF)

This sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied at a local level. The NPPF is a material consideration when deciding on planning applications or appeals.

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) were established to protect some of our most important habitats, species and geology, and to provide ‘outdoor laboratories’ for research.

National Trails

Long distance routes for walking, cycling and horse riding.

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (NERC)

An Act to make provision about bodies concerned with the natural environment and rural communities; to make provision in connection with wildlife, sites of special scientific interest, National Parks and the Broads; to amend the law relating to rights of way; to make provision as to the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council; to

provide for flexible administrative arrangements in connection with functions relating to the environment and rural affairs and certain other functions; and for connected purposes.

Nature Based Solutions

These address societal challenges through actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems, benefiting people and nature at the same time.

Nature Recovery Network

An expanding, increasingly connected, network of wildlife rich habitats supporting species recovery, alongside wider benefits such as carbon capture, water quality improvements, natural flood risk management and recreation. It includes the existing network of protected sites and other wildlife rich habitats as well as and landscape or catchment scale recovery areas where there is coordinated action for species and habitats.

Natural Flood Management

Managing flood and coastal erosion risk by protecting, restoring and emulating the natural ‘regulating’ function of catchments, rivers, floodplains and coasts.

NEAP

Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play.

Neighbourhood Plans

A plan prepared by a Parish Council or Neighbourhood Forum for a particular neighbourhood area (made under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).

These are buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas or landscapes identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions but which are not formally designated heritage assets. In some areas, local authorities identify some non- designated heritage assets as “locally listed”.

Non-strategic Policies

Policies contained in a neighbourhood plan, or those policies in a local plan that are not strategic policies.

Out of Centre

A location which is not in or on the edge of a centre but not necessarily outside the urban area.

Out of Town

A location out of centre that is outside the existing urban area.

Open Space

All open space of public value, including not just land, but also areas of water (such as rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs) which offer important opportunities for sport and recreation and can act as a visual amenity.

Oxford/Cambridge Corridor

A spatial concept focused on the economic influence of Oxford and Cambridge. The aim of this is to promote and accelerate the development of the unique set of educational, research and business assets and activities.

Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP)

A software programme for designing a properly functioning Passive House. The PHPP prepares an energy balance and calculates the annual energy demand of the building based on the user input relating to the building’s characteristics. The programme forms the basis for quality assurance and certification of a building as a Passive House or an EnerPHit retrofit.

Passivhaus Accreditation

A quality assurance process for the design and construction of low energy buildings. To achieve Passivhaus certification, a building must adhere to strict performance criteria, ensuring that it meets specific energy consumption, airtightness, and thermal comfort standards. These standards are achieved through independent quality testing. This rigorous approach guarantees a high level of sustainability and occupant wellbeing.

Advanced manufacturing / high performance engineering encompass activities which are high in innovation and the application of leading edge technology, and which form a network of businesses which support, compete with and learn from each other.

Permission in Principle

A form of planning consent which establishes that a site is suitable for a specified amount of housing-led development in principle. Following a grant of permission in principle, the site must receive a grant of technical details consent before development can proceed.

Planning Condition

A condition imposed on a grant of planning permission (in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) or a condition included in a Local Development Order or Neighbourhood Development Order.

Planning Obligation

A legal agreement entered into under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to mitigate the impacts of a development proposal.

Planning Practice Guidance (PPG)

The Government’s planning guidance supporting national planning policy.

Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004

This Act amended the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced a new statutory system of regional and local planning and has since been amended by the Localism Act 2011.

Planning Inspectorate

The Government body responsible for providing independent inspectors for planning inquiries and for examinations of development plan documents.

Policies Map

Maps of the local planning authority’s area which must be reproduced from, or based on, an Ordnance Survey map; include an explanation of any symbol or notation which it uses; and illustrate geographically the application of the policies in the adopted development plan. Where the adopted policies map consists of text and maps, the text prevails if the map and text conflict.

Preferred Options

This is a non-statutory stage of consultation of the Local Plan setting out the preferred options for growth in the area, based on the findings of previous consultations. South Oxfordshire District Council chose to undertake a second iteration of Preferred Options

Land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure, including the curtilage of the developed land (although it should not be assumed that the whole of the curtilage should be developed) and any associated fixed surface infrastructure. This excludes: land that is or has been occupied by agricultural or forestry buildings; land that has been developed for minerals extraction or waste disposal by landfill purposes where provision for restoration has been made through development control procedures; land in built-up areas such as private residential gardens, parks, recreation grounds and allotments; and land that was previously developed but where the remains of the permanent structure or fixed surface structure have blended into the landscape in the process of time.

Primary Shopping Area

Defined area where retail is concentrated.

Priority Habitats and Species

Species and Habitats of Principal Importance included in the England Biodiversity List published by the Secretary of State under section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.

Ramsar Site

Wetlands of international importance, designated under the 1971 Ramsar Convention.

Regeneration

The economic, social and environmental renewal and improvement of rural and urban areas.

Regulations

This means “The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 as amended” unless indicated otherwise. Planning authorities must follow these when preparing Local Plans.

Renewable and Low Carbon Energy

Includes energy for heating and cooling as well as generating electricity. Renewable energy covers those energy flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment (wind, water, the movement of the oceans, sun and from biomass and deep geothermal heat. Low carbon technologies are those that can help reduce emissions.

RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA)

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) is a methodology for measuring the amount of carbon emitted throughout the life of a built asset.

River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) are drawn up for the 10 river basin districts in England and Wales as a requirement of the water framework directive. Cherwell District Council is covered within the Thames River Basin Management Plan (2015).

Rural Exception Sites

Small sites used for affordable housing in perpetuity where sites would not normally be used for housing. Rural exception sites seek to address the needs of the local

community by accommodating households who are either current residents or have an existing family or employment connection.

Safeguarding Zone

An area defined in Circular 01/03: Safeguarding aerodromes, technical sites and military explosives storage areas, to which specific safeguarding provisions apply.

Saved Policies

Policies in historic development plans that have been formally ‘saved’ and which continue to be used until replaced by a new Local Plan.

Scheduled Ancient Monument

A historic building or site of historic, architectural, artistic or archaeological interest that is included in the Schedule of Monuments kept by the Secretary of State, as advised by Historic England. This is set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act, 1979.

Section 106 Agreement

A legal agreement under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act. They are 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.

Section 278 Agreement

A section of the Highways Act 1980 that allows developers to enter into a legal agreement with the council (in our capacity as the Highway Authority) to make permanent alterations or improvements to a public highway, as part of a planning approval.

Self-build and Custom-build Housing

Housing built by an individual, a group of individuals, or persons working with or for them, to be occupied by that individual. Such housing can be either market or affordable housing. A legal definition, for the purpose of applying the Self-build and

Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended), is contained in section 1(A1) and (A2) of that Act.

A planning principle that seeks to identify, allocate or develop certain types of location of land before others. For example, brownfield housing sites before greenfield sites, or town centre retail sites before out of-centre sites. With regard to flood risk, it seeks to locate development in areas of lower flood risk (Flood Zone 1) before considering Flood Zones 2 or 3.

Setting of a Heritage Asset

The surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that significance or may be neutral.

Settlement Gap

A planning tool to prevent coalescence of settlements and maintain their separate identity.

Settlement Hierarchy

A way of identifying and classifying settlements and provides a guide to where development may be sustainable according to the role and function of the settlement.

Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM)

This model assesses the energy performance of non-domestic buildings in the UK. It calculates the energy required for heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting. It works by SBEM evaluating a building’s energy use and carbon dioxide emissions over a 12-month period. Non-domestic buildings include offices, warehouses, retail units, and leisure centres. Their main purpose is to: demonstrate compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations (BRUKL Report); and to produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

Site of Special Scientific Interest

Sites designated by Natural England under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Site Specific Allocations

Site specific proposals for specific or mixed uses or development. Policies will identify any specific requirements for individual proposals.

Spatial Strategy

The overview and overall approach to the provision of jobs, homes and infrastructure over the plan period.

Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

An area designated to protect the habitats of threatened species of wildlife under EU Directive 92/43.

A child or young person has special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) if they have a learning difficulty or a disability that means they need special health and education support.

Special Protection Area (SPA)

Areas classified under regulation 15 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 which have been identified as being of international importance for the breeding, feeding, wintering or the migration of rare and vulnerable species of birds.

Specialist Housing

Purpose-built and designed housing that meets the needs of a targeted group, which can include older, vulnerable and disabled people as well as for Gypsies and Travellers. This includes supported housing and designated housing where access to support is provided where needed.

Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)

A methodology used to assess the energy and environmental performance of residential dwellings. It is used to produce Energy Performance Certificates and to demonstrate compliance of new homes with Part L of the Building Regulations.

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

The SCI sets out standards to be achieved by the local authority in relation to involving the community in the preparation, alteration and continuing review of all DPDs and

in development management decisions. It is subject to independent examination. In respect of every DPD the local planning authority is required to publish a statement showing how it complied with the SCI.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

An assessment of the environmental effects of policies, plans and programmes, required by European legislation, which will be part of the public consultation on the policies.

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SRA)

An assessment carried out by local authorities to inform their knowledge of flooding, refine the information on the Flood Map and determine the variations in flood risk from all sources of flooding across and from their area.

Strategic Gap

Settlement gap associated with the CLPR 2042 main growth areas outside the green belt. Their primary function is to avoid coalescence and retain the separate identity of settlements; and protect high quality landscape on the urban fringe and provide access to the countryside.

An assessment of the land capacity across the district with the potential for housing and employment.

Strategic Policies

Policies and site allocations which address strategic priorities in line with the requirements of Section 19 (1B-E) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Strategic Site

A broad location considered as having potential for significant development that contributes to achieving the Spatial Vision of an area.

Submission

The stage at which a Development Plan Document is sent to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)

Documents which provide guidance to supplement the policies and proposals in Development Plan Documents.

Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS)

Sets an overall strategic direction and long-term vision for the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of an area.

Sustainable Development

A widely used definition drawn up by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. The NPPF taken as a whole constitutes the Government’s view of what sustainable development in England means in practice for the planning system.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

SuDS seek to manage surface water as close to the source as possible, mimicking surface water flows arising from a site prior to the proposed development. Typically SuDS involve a move away from piped systems to softer engineering solutions inspired by natural drainage processes.

Sustainable Transport Modes

Any efficient, safe and accessible means of transport with overall low impact on the environment, including walking and cycling, ultra low and zero emission vehicles, car sharing and public transport.

The process of assessing the economic, social and environmental effects of a proposed plan. This process implements the requirements of the SEA Directive. Required to be undertaken for all DPDs.

Town Centre

Area defined on the policies map, including the primary shopping area and areas predominantly occupied by main town centre uses within or adjacent to the primary shopping area. References to town centres or centres apply to city centres, town centres, district centres and local centres but exclude small parades of shops of purely neighbourhood significance.

Transport Assessment

A comprehensive and systematic process that sets out transport issues relating to a proposed development. It identifies measures required to improve accessibility and safety for all modes of travel, particularly for alternatives to the car such as walking, cycling and public transport, and measures that will be needed deal with the anticipated transport impacts of the development.

Transport Statement

A simplified version of a transport assessment where it is agreed the transport issues arising from development proposals are limited and a full transport assessment is not required.

Travel Plan

A long-term management strategy for an organisation or site that seeks to deliver sustainable transport objectives through action and is articulated in a document that is regularly reviewed.

Travelling Showpeople (Planning definition)

Members of a group organised for the purposes of holding fairs, circuses or shows (whether or not travelling together as such). This includes such persons who on the grounds of their own or their family’s or dependants’ more localised pattern of trading, educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily, but excludes Gypsies and Travellers as defined above.

Tree Preservation Order (TPO)

A TPO is usually made by a local planning authority to protect a specific tree or woodland from deliberate damage and destruction. This could include felling, lopping, topping, uprooting or otherwise wilful damage.