A range of both subsidised and non-subsidised housing designed for those whose incomes generally deny them the opportunity to purchase or rent housing on the open market.

A positive element or elements which contribute to the overall character of an area, for example open land, trees, historic buildings and the inter-relationship between all elements in the environment.

A subsidiary use connected to the main use of a building or piece of land, such as storage space within a factory.

A power available under the 1995 Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order allowing the Council, in certain instances, to restrict permitted development rights.

Development of land-locked sites, such as rear gardens and private open space, usually within predominantly residential areas.

Roads for which the Council is the Highway Authority.

An area designated by the Council under the Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as possessing special architectural or historical interest. The Council will seek to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of these areas.

PPG15 Planning and the Historic Environment (1994) asks local authorities to consider setting up conservation area advisory committees consisting mainly of people who are not members of the authority and to refer to them for advice on applications which would, in the opinion of the authority, affect the character or appearance of the conservation areas.

An area in which all kerbside space is controlled by either waiting and loading restrictions or by designated parking spaces such as meter or resident bays.

The sub-division of residential properties into self-contained flats or maisonettes.

A small area forming part or parcel with the house or building which it contains or to which it is attached.

Density is a measure of the intensity of use of housing land. It is calculated on the basis of the number of habitable rooms per hectare.

Development is defined under the Town and Country Planning Act as "the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operation in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any building or other land." Most forms of development require planning permission before they can be carried out.

The process through which the Council determines whether a proposal for development should be granted planning permission, taking into account the development plan and any other material considerations.

Groups of shops and similar premises offering a range of convenience goods and services along with some national chain stores and local shop parades. District centres serve a smaller catchment area than major centres.

A self-contained residential unit, occupied by (i) a person or group of people living together as a family, or (ii) by not more than six residents living together as a single household (including a household where care is provided for residents).

The term refers to the practice of constructing and arranging of buildings in such a way as to minimise the use of resources. It can also refer to the operation of machines and engines such as the car. Energy efficiency should reduce both use of resources and damage to the environment due to energy generation and consumption.

The process by which information about the likely environmental effects of major projects is gathered, evaluated and taken into account by the local authority in considering whether or not planning permission should be granted.

Part of the face of a building, where the shop or occupier`s name is usually displayed.

Identifies types of, usually minor, development for which planning permission is automatically granted and which therefore do not require a planning application to be submitted to the Council.

Net site area is that contained within the boundaries of a site. Gross site area is used in calculating residential density. It is net site area plus half the width (up to a maximum of 6m) of an adjoining road (private or public). Where two or more frontages adjoin roads, a quarter of the width (up to a maximum of 3m) of the second and subsequent roads is included.

All separate living rooms and bedrooms, plus kitchens with a floor area of 13 square metres or more. Bathrooms, toilets, cupboards, landings, halls, lobbies and recesses are not included.

One person living alone or a group of people (who may or may not be related) living at the same address with common housekeeping, sharing at least one meal a day or occupying a common living or sitting room.

House or flat occupied by more than one household as bed-sitting rooms or other non self-contained accommodation, usually with some sharing of amenities, such as bathrooms and / or toilets. (See definition of Register Social Landlord.)

Re-development of sites which have adjacent buildings (usually redevelopment of a plot that forms part of a terrace of buildings).

The basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of the community, such as transportation and communications systems, water and power lines, and public institutions including schools, post offices, and prisons.

Networks of links (bus, rail, road etc.) rather than individual routes, connected in terms of physical access, ticketing, service frequency, timing and capacity.

A building which has become a point of reference because its height, siting, distinctive design or use sets it apart from surrounding buildings. Examples may include churches and other important civic buildings such as town halls.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport compiles a list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest for the guidance of local planning authorities in the exercise of their planning functions under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Buildings are graded as follows:

• Grade I - Buildings of exceptional interest
• Grade II* - Particularly important buildings of more than special interest
• Grade II - Buildings of special interest.

The largest retailing centre in the City offering the widest range of shopping facilities (including durable and comparison goods, large food stores and a number of other types of goods), acting as a focal point for the community and having a high level of public transport accessibility.

Provision of a mix of complementary uses, such as say residential, community and leisure uses, on a site or within a particular area.

Local shops providing for the day-to-day needs of residents in the immediate catchment area.

See "Gross site area"

An amount of development (that is, the quantity of building or intensity of use) that is excessive in terms of demands on the infrastructure and services and impact on local amenity and character.

Parks and gardens containing historic features dating from 1939 or earlier and registered by English Heritage. These parks and gardens are graded I, II* or II in the same way as listed buildings.

Minor types of development and certain changes between use classes which are automatically granted planning permission under the General Permitted Development Order and for which no planning application need thus be submitted.

A statement regarding the Council`s views on the opportunities and constraints for the development of a particular site, intended to guide potential developers.

An agreement under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act entered into regarding the use or development of land. An obligation can either be made by agreement between the local planning authority and a developer, or by a unilateral undertaking by the developer. Obligations may be used to enhance development proposals. (See definition of section 106 agreement.)

Formal approval by the Council, often with conditions, allowing a proposed development to proceed. Full permissions are usually valid for five years; outline permissions, where details are reserved for subsequent approval, are valid for three years.

Open space which is usually privately owned and is not usually accessible by members of the public. Some private open spaces are subject to access agreements allowing some form of access.

Urban space, designated by the Council, defined where public access is generally not formally established, but which fulfils or is capable of fulfilling a recreational and/or non-recreational role (for example, amenity, ecological, educational, social or cultural). Includes most nature reserves, city farms, cemeteries, reservoirs (including covered reservoirs) and some private institutional and housing estate grounds which are not considered suitable for built development.

A housing association or a not for profit company registered by the Housing Corporation to provide social housing.

Any use falling within the definition of a shop under Class A1 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987.

The maximum rate that traffic can pass along a road within a particular set of conditions.

Categorisation of roads by function and intended traffic management treatment.

Areas which lie outside the Primary Shopping Frontage in Major and District Centres, where a more flexible policy on changes of use from Class A1 to non-retail uses applies.

Housing designed to meet the needs of the elderly, including a range of support services, such as an emergency alarm system, communal facilities and a resident warden.

Housing aimed at meeting the particular needs, in terms of size and type, of those individuals and groups who may experience particular difficulties in finding accommodation. Such housing can include accommodation which provides an element of care, that adapted for the elderly and people with physical disabilities and provision for students. It includes a range of sui generis hostel provision and all forms of residential accommodation which provide care within Use Class C2.

A use which does not fall into any of the categories defined within the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987,as amended, such as theatres and motor vehicle showrooms. Latin term meaning 'In a class of its own'

Additional advice, provided by the Council, on particular topic or policy areas, and related to and expanding upon statutory policies, for example, guidance on the design of roof extensions in a specific locality.

Defined by the Brundtland Commission (1987) as: "development which meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to achieve their own needs and aspirations". The World Conservation Union (1991) definition is also useful - "improving the quality of life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems."

Traffic management measures specifically designed to reduce vehicular speed along routes or through areas. Usually associated with improving the local environment and reducing road accidents.

The process of adjusting or adapting the use of a highway to meet specified objectives without resorting to substantial new road construction.

Made under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by the local planning authority to protect trees of importance for amenity, landscape and nature conservation.

Dwellings built to a standard that would allow people using wheelchairs full access to, and use of, the entire house or flat. To that end, the dwelling would normally have adjacent parking, a level entrance, adequate circulation space, all rooms designed for easy access and use by people who use wheelchairs, and full access to, and use of, all levels of the building.