Unfortunately the complexity and technical nature of the planning system can be a barrier to people becoming involved, particularly the use of acronyms and confusing terminology. Whilst we endeavour to keep our documents as clear and understandable as possible, there is still likely to be some content that is unfamiliar or for which further clarification is required. To provide some assistance on this we have included a glossary of key technical terms below.
| Adoption | The final confirmation of a Development Plan or one of its subsidiary parts by a local planning authority (LPA) bringing it into formal use. |
| Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards (ANGst) | A set of benchmarks for ensuring access to a variety of green spaces near to where people live. |
| Affordable Housing | Social rented and intermediate housing, provided to specified eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. A full national definition is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. |
| Allocated | Land which has been identified in the Local Plan and shown on the Policies Map (or inset map) for a specific form of development. |
| Amenity | Those qualities of life enjoyed by people who can be influenced by the surrounding environment in which they live or work. ‘Residential amenity’ includes, for example, a reasonable degree of privacy, freedom from unacceptable levels of noise, air and light pollution”. |
| Ancillary | Use or structure which is related to and often found in association with primary use or development. For the purposes of planning ancillary uses that are materially different would typically be tolerated up to 15% of a wider site area. For example, a trade counter (retail use) within a larger warehouse (distribution use). |
| Authority’s Monitoring Report (AMR) | A report on how the Council is performing in terms of the effectiveness of its Local Plan. Includes a review monitoring data to determine the success of planning policies. |
| Area Action Plan (AAP) | A type of Development Plan Document focused upon a specific location or an area subject to conservation or significant change (for example major regeneration). There are no Area Action Plans proposed in Mendip currently |
| Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) | A statutory landscape designation to recognise, conserve and enhance landscape of national importance. |
| Aquifer | Underground layer (stratum) of rock in which water naturally occurs. Water for human use may be extracted by means of wells or boreholes. |
| Biodiversity | The range of life forms which constitute the living world, from microscopic organs to the large trees, animals, their habitats and the ecosystem in which they live. |
| Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) | An internationally recognized program addressing threatened species and habitats and is designed to protect and restore biological systems. Biodiversity Action Plans are prepared at various geographic scales. There are BAPs for Somerset and Mendip. |
| Brownfield Land | Previously developed land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure, including the curtilage of the developed land and any associated fixed surface infrastructure (does not include agricultural buildings and, since 2010, domestic gardens) |
| Built Environment | Surroundings which are generally built up in character. The collection of buildings, spaces and links between them which form such an area. |
| Climate Change | Natural or man made processes which result in changes to weather patterns on a global scale. The effects include changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, potential droughts, habitat loss, and heat stress. The greenhouse effect – arising from the build up of man-made gases in the atmosphere observed over the last two centuries – is a well recorded man made process. However, volcanic activity and permafrost melting are other examples. |
| Community Facilities | Services available to residents in the immediate area to meet the day-to-day needs of the community. Includes village halls, post offices, doctors and dentists’ surgeries, recycling facilities, libraries and places of worship as well as commercial services and open spaces. |
| Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) | Levy on development proposed by the government but charged locally with gathered funds used to deliver infrastructure necessary to support housing and economic growth. |
| Comparison Goods | Typology of purchased goods. Also see Convenience Goods. Defined as household or personal items which are bought on an infrequent basis and typically would involve the buyer comparing alternative styles/prices/types. Would generally include products like clothing, electrical goods and furniture amongst many other things. |
| Conservation Area | Area of special historic and/or architectural interest which is designated by the local planning authority as being important to conserve and enhance. Special planning controls apply within these areas. |
| Convenience Goods | Items bought for everyday needs. Includes food and other groceries, newspapers, drink and tobacco and chemist’s goods. Generally such goods are used or consumed over a relatively short period. Also see Comparison Goods. |
| Core Strategy | A Development Plan Document forming the central part of a Local Development Framework under regulations that existed between 2004 and 2011. It sets out the spatial vision and strategic objectives of the planning framework for an area, having regard to the Community Strategy. This Local Plan is an evolved version of a Core Strategy. |
| County Wildlife Site | Wildlife habitat identified and designated as being of particular local interest of importance but is not of sufficient national merit to be nationally designated as, for example, an SSSI. |
| Curtilage | The area of land associated with a building. The curtliage of a dwelling house is normally its garden and the curtlage of a commercial building its ancillary open areas such as for parking/services and landscaping. |
| Culturally Significant Landscape | A landscape, modified, natural or built, that retains physical attributes of past interventions that are of significance. Examples include deer parks, deserted settlements and large-scale water management systems. |
| Development | Defined in planning law as ‘the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over, or under land, or the making of a material change of use of any building or land’ (see also Permitted Development). |
| Development Brief | A document that outlines how a large or complex site will be developed. It will set out an analysis of site context, development principles, design solutions and details about matters of implementation. It will contain maps and diagrams to articulate the issues and solutions proposed. Also see Supplementary Planning Guidance. |
| Development Contribution/Commuted Payment | Either a payment made by a developer to the local planning authority (usually secured by means of Planning Obligation) to fund provision of a facility needed to serve a development, but to be built or provided elsewhere or in some way other than by the developer, or a one off payment by a developer to another body to enable it to adopt a facility. |
| Development Management Policies | A suite of criteria-based policies to ensure that all development within the areas meets the spatial vision and spatial objectives. Mendip has decided to include these in section 6 of this Local Plan document. |
| Development Plan | A statutory document setting out the local planning authority’s policies and proposals for the development and use of land and buildings. It is the starting point for the determination of planning applications as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. |
| Development Plan Document (DPD) | A local planning policy document that has development plan status by virtue of being prepared subject to community involvement and independently examined. |
| Early Engagement | A very early stage of consultation and community involvement, when interested parties can help formulate and comment on aspects of the local authority’s future planning proposal. Early engagement is also an important part of any development proposal in that a developer can explore local peoples views before designing a new development which it turn can then – potentially – be more responsive to local conditions. |
| Employment Land (B1, B2, B8) | Land used, with planning permission, or allocated in a development plan principally for offices, research and light industrial (B1), general industrial (B2) and storage / distribution (B8) uses. |
| Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) | The process by which information is collected and reported on the environmental impacts of a project or proposal. This is then taken into account by the local planning authority when determining an application for planning permission. Certain types of applications for development are required to be accompanied by an EIA. |
| Environmental Statement | Written statement, required to be submitted by the applicant with certain kinds of planning application. |
| Evidence Base | The information and data gathered by local authorities to justify the “soundness” of the policy approach set out in Local Development Documents, including physical, economic, and social characteristics of an area. |
| Exception Test | In addition to the Sequential Test and in accordance with national policy, this test seeks to consider exceptional circumstances why a particular development would be acceptable in an area that is acknowledged to be subject to flood risk. |
| Flood Risk Assessment | An assessment of the likelihood of flooding in a particular area so that development needs and mitigation measures can be carefully considered. |
| Future Growth Area | An area of land, normally greenfield in nature, identified within the Local Plan as one being suitable to accommodate housing or employment future growth but which is still subject to formal allocation as part of the Site Allocation process. |
| Greenfield Land | Land (or a defined site) usually farmland, that has not previously been developed. |
| Ground Water Source Protection Zones | An integral part of land surface zoning within the Environment Agency’s Policy and Practice for the Protection of Groundwater. In essence the zones limit the use of land for purposes which might result in contamination of water sources, or ensure that measures are in place to capture potential contaminants percolating into groundwater strata. |
| Habitat Regulations Assessment | Document to determine, understand and, if appropriate, mitigate impacts on European Designated wildlife sites (Natura 2000 sites). |
| Heritage Assets | Defined in the National Planning Policy Framework. A building, monument, site, place, area, or landscape positively identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions. Heritage assets are the valued components of the historic environment. They include designated assets and assets identified by the local planning authority during the process of decision-making or through the plan-making process (including local listing). |
| Housing Needs Survey | Assessment of housing needs in the local area. This plays a crucial role in underpinning the planning policies relating to affordable housing and housing location. |
| Infill Development | Small scale development filling a gap within an otherwise built up frontage. |
| Infrastructure | The network of services to which it is usual for most buildings to be connected. It includes physical services serving the particular development (eg gas, electricity and water supply; telephones, sewerage) and also includes networks of roads, public transport routes, footpaths etc. In its widest sense the definition may also include open spaces, community facilities and commercial services which sustain a community’s way of life. |
| Issues and Options | Produced relatively early as part of the preparation of Development Plan Documents and used for consultation and community involvement. |
| Key Diagram | A map based diagram to illustrate the broad proposals and contents of a development plan, normally contained within the main strategy or in relation to particular places. |
| Landscape Character Assessment | Identifies areas with similar features or qualities, mapping and classifying them and describing their character. It is based on an understanding of landscape character and of the natural, historic and aesthetic factors that combine to create local distinctiveness. |
| Legal Agreement | See Section 106 Agreements (S106) |
| Listed Building | A building of special historical and/or architectural interest considered worthy of special protection and included and described in the statutory list of such buildings. Also see Heritage Asset. |
| Local Development Framework (LDF) | A portfolio of planning documents required by legislation between 2004 and 2011 which collectively delivers the spatial planning strategy for the area. A former name for what is now included in the Local Plan. |
| Local Development Order | A Local Development Order grants planning permission for a site, sites or area for specific types of development (specified in the Order), and by doing so, removes the need for a planning application to be made. Local planning authorities have powers to make them. |
| Local Development Scheme (LDS) | A document that sets out what parts of the Council’s planning framework are to be produced or reviewed and the timetable for their production. |
| Local Nature Reserve | Area of botanical or wildlife interest designated by a local authority. |
| Local Transport Plan (LTP) | A five-year integrated transport strategy, prepared by local authorities in partnership with the community, seeking funding to help provide local transport projects. The plan sets out the resources predicted for delivery of the targets identified in the strategy. Somerset County Council are the responsible authority. |
| Major Development | For residential - 10 or more dwellings or a site area of 0.5 hectares or more. For other uses- the floorspace to be built is 1000 square metres or more, or where the site area is 1 hectare or more. |
| Mitigation Measures | Any works or actions required to be carried out by developers to reduce or remove the impact of the development on the surrounding environment or to address particular environmental effects which would otherwise make that development unacceptable. |
| Monitoring | Regular collection and analysis of relevant information in order to assess the outcome and effectiveness of policies and proposals and to identify whether they need to be reviewed or altered. |
| National Policy Statements (NPS) | Provides national policy guidance for matters that are considered to be of importance |
| Natura 2000 | An ecological network of protected areas in the territory of the European Union. |
| Neighbourhood Plan | New rights and powers for communities to prepare Neighbourhood Plans were introduced by the Localism Act (2011). Plans can be prepared by Parish Councils or, in unparished areas, an agreed forum to guide development in a local area. Plans must be subject to public consultation, an independent examination and public referendum. Once adopted, a Neighbourhood Plan will form part of the statutory development plan for that area and must be used when determining planning applications. |
| Passive Solar Energy | Energy provided by a simple architectural design to capture and store the sun's heat. An example is a south facing window in a dwelling. |
| Permitted Development | Certain categories of minor development as specified in the General Permitted Development Order, which can be carried out without having first to obtain specific planning permission. |
| Photovoltaic Cells | Technological component of solar panels that capture energy from the sun and transform it into electricity for use in homes and businesses |
| Planning Obligations | See Section 106 Agreements. |
| Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) | Set out the Government’s national land use planning policies (now superseded by National Planning Policy Framework and National Planning Policy Guidance) |
| Preferred Options Document | Produced as part of the preparation of planning document. The council sets out what it thinks are the most appropriate set of policy responses to the issues needing to be addressed. These would be consulted on to seek views as to their validity prior to refinements being made. |
| Policies Map | A component of a Local Plan and an important part of the development plan. It shows the location of proposals in all current planning proposals and designations of land on an Ordnance Survey base map. |
| Protected Species | Any species (of wildlife etc) which, because of its rarity or threatened status is protected by statutory legislation. |
| Ramsar Sites | A term adopted following an international conference, held in 1971 in Ramsar in Iran, to identify wetland sites of international importance, especially as waterfowl habitat. |
| Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) | Strategies prepared by Regional Assemblies in the 2000s to establish a region wide patterns of development, necessary infrastructure and consistent policies for broad areas across the UK reflecting their common interests, economic potential and general characteristics. Localised issues would then be addressed in Local Plans. |
| Registered Social Landlords | Independent housing organisations, including trusts, co-operatives and companies, registered under the Housing Act 1996. |
| Renewable Energy | In its widest definition, energy generated from sources which are non-finite or can be replenished. Includes solar power, wind energy, power generated from waste, biomass etc. |
| Retail Assessment / Town Centres Study | An assessment which may be required in connection with major retail purposes assessing the likely effect of the proposals on patterns of trades and the viability and vitality of existing retail centres. |
| Saved Policies | Plans and policies that were originally in the Local Plan but are still relevant in the current spatial environment and, therefore, remain current policy. They are included in Appendix 1 of this document. |
| Scheduled (Ancient) Monument | Ancient structure, usually unoccupied, above or below the ground, which is preserved by order of the Secretary of State. |
| Section 106 Agreements (S106) | Allows a Local Planning Authority to enter into a legally-binding agreement or planning obligation, with a land developer over a related issue (often to fund necessary improvements elsewhere). |
| Sequential Approach/Test | A planning principle that seeks to identify, allocate or develop certain types or locations of land before others. |
| Sequential Test (Flooding) | A test carried out in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework to demonstrate that certain land is appropriate to develop as has less flood risk, after alternative sites have been ruled out. |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) | Site or area designated as being of national importance because of its wildlife plants or flower species and/or unusual or typical geological features. SSSIs are identified by Natural England and have protected status. |
| Site Allocations DPD | A Development Plan Document (part of the Local Plan) which allocations of sites for specific or mixed development uses, or which makes other designations of land for a particular purpose. Part II of the Mendip Local Plan will be a site allocations document. |
| Soundness | To be considered sound, a Development Plan Document must be justified (founded on robust and credible evidence and be the most appropriate strategy) and effective deliverable, flexible and able to be monitored). |
| Spatial Planning | Brings together and integrates policies for the development and use of land with other policies and programmes which influence the nature of places and how they function. |
| Spatial Strategy | A strategy which sets out the distribution and nature of development across a given area. Section 4 of this plan contains Mendip’s spatial strategy. |
| Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) | Sites of European nature conservation importance designated under the Habitats Regulations. |
| Special Protection Area (SPA) | A site designated under the European Commission Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds. |
| Species Action Plan (SAP) | A framework for conservation of particular species and their habitats. |
| Strategic Environmental Assessment | A term used to describe environmental assessment as applied to policies, plans and programmes. The European ‘SEA Directive’ (2001/42/EC) requires a formal ‘environmental assessment of certain plans and programmes, including those in the field of planning and land use.’ In the UK this is achieved through the Sustainability Appraisal. |
| Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) | Provides information about flood risk throughout the area of the Local Planning Authority (LPA), either individually or combined with neighbouring LPAs. The SFRA will consider the effects of climate change on river and coastal flooding, identify the risk from other sources of flooding, and consider appropriate policies for development in or adjacent to flood risk areas. |
| Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) | An assessment of land which is available for housing. The SHLAA does not allocate land for development but is a source of information to understand what is available when making choices about where new development should be located. |
| Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) | An assessment of housing need and demand within a housing market area. |
| Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) | Sets out the standards which authorities will achieve with regard to involving communities in the preparation of planning documents and development control decisions. Where one is not produced by the council, the council must involve the community and other interests in line with basic requirements defined regulations and legislation. |
| Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) | A locally adopted planning document that is prepared to give clarity and technical detail to a matter contained within the Local Plan. They can include technical guidance on a matter or set out how a development site will be laid out and serviced. SPD is subject to public consultation requirements defined in regulations and law, but are not subject to Independent Examination. All SPD must be linked to policies or proposals in a current part of the Local (Development) Plan. SPD were formerly known as Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG). |
| Sustainability Appraisal | An appraisal of the economic, environmental and social effects of a plan undertaken throughout its preparation to enable understanding of different alternative solutions and to mitigate effects where a proposed development solution is recognised to have limited negative effects. Ultimately allows decisions to be made that deliver more sustainable form of development. Also see Strategic Environmental Appraisal. |
| Sustainable Community Strategy | A long-term vision for improving the quality of people’s lives, with the aim of improving economic, social and environmental well being of the area and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. |
| Sustainable Development | Development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. |
| Sustainable Drainage System | Drainage system, generally incorporating natural methods of ground percolation, which seeks to minimise surface water run off without, or lessening the need for, extensive networks of municipal pipes. Systems can also include the use of natural filtration to capture and hold waterborne pollutants or suspended materials. Systems – termed ‘grey water’ systems - can also be found which recycle precipitation or other relatively clean water for non potable domestic or business uses. |
| Town Centre | The centre of larger market towns where there is a concentration of shops and other services which cater for local customers, including those from nearby settlements. |
| Transport Assessment | An assessment, which may be required in connection with major development proposals, which looks at how people are likely to access the development and its effects on travel patterns. It will also look at how any undesirable consequences can be mitigated. It should consider how access on foot, by cycle or public transport can be promoted and how access on foot, by cycle or public transport can be promoted and how demand for car parking can be minimised. |
| Use Classes Order | A statute that groups uses into
various categories and which specifically states that permission
is not required to change from one use to another within
the same class: A1 -Shops; A2 - Financial and Professional Services; A3 - Restaurants and Cafes; A4 - Drinking Establishments; A5 - Hot Food Takeaway; B1 - Business; B2 - General Industrial; B8 - Storage and Distribution; C1 - Hotels; C2 - Residential Institution; C3 - Dwelling Houses; C4 - Houses in Multiple Occupation; D1 - Non- Residential Institutions; D2 - Assembly and Leisure. Sui Generis - Certain uses that do not fall within any use class such as theatres, petrol filling stations, launderettes and nightclubs. |
| Water Framework Directive | A European Directive that aims to establish a framework for the protection of inland surface waters (rivers and lakes), transitional waters (estuaries), coastal waters and groundwater. |