APPENDIX 6: GLOSSARY AND ABBREVIATIONS

Glossary and Abbreviations

Accessibility

The ability of everybody to go conveniently where they want particularly in relation to services and facilities.

Aged or Veteran Tree

A tree which, because of its great age, size or condition is of exceptional value for wildlife, in the landscape, or culturally.

AONB

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949) and, along with National Parks; they represent the finest examples of countryside in England and Wales.

BAP

Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is a strategy prepared for the area aimed at conserving biological diversity. The Hertfordshire Biodiversity Action Plan: A 50 Year Vision identifies key biodiversity areas in Three Rivers.

Brownfield Land

Brownfield land (or Previously Developed Land) – land that is, or has been occupied by a permanent structure and associated fixed surface infrastructure. Agricultural and forestry buildings are excluded.

CIL

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – A levy on new developments to support infrastructure delivery. Introduced by the Planning Reform Bill published in November 2007.

Combined Heat and Power

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the simultaneous generation of useable heat and power (usually electricity) in a single process. It is a form of decentralised energy technology and typically installed on-site, supplying customers with heat and power directly at the point of use.

Community, Leisure and Cultural Facilties

These include, but are not limited to, village halls, community centres, sports halls, theatres, public halls, doctors and dental surgeries, faith facilities, post offices, public houses, schools and local shops.

Conservation Area

An area designated under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as being of special architectural or historic interest of which it is desirable to preserve and enhance.

Core Strategy

The document which sets out the long-term spatial vision for the local planning authority area and the spatial objectives and strategic policies to deliver that vision.

Development Plan

The statutory Development Plan currently comprises the Regional Spatial Strategy, Waste and Minerals Framework and the Local Development Documents contained in the Local Plan.

District

Three Rivers District.

Dph

Dwellings per hectare.

Evidence Base

A collective term for technical studies and background research that provides information on key aspects of social, economic and environmental characteristics of the District. This enables the preparation of a sound Local Plan meeting the objectives of sustainable development.

Green Belt

Also known as the Metropolitan Green Belt – an area of land which has been specifically designated for long-term protection. It is a nationally important designation and exists to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land open and free from development.

Greenfield

Land (or a defined site) which has never been built on before or where remains of any structure or activity have blended into the landscape over time (opposite of brownfield land).

Green Infrastructure

Networks of green spaces and natural elements including open spaces, waterways, gardens, woodlands, green corridors, wildlife habitats, street trees, natural heritage, heritage assets, earth science interests and open countryside.

HCC

Hertfordshire County Council.

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.

Heritage Asset

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 heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority during the process of decision-making or through the plan-making process (including local listing).

Infrastructure

Collective term for physical structures, facilities and services needed by the community, for example, buildings, roads, power supplies, affordable housing, health, sports, leisure and educational facilities, village halls, doctor's surgeries, churches and open space.

Listed Building

A building included on a list of buildings of architectural or historical interest compiled by the Secretary of State, under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Local Development Document

Local Development Document – documents prepared by the Local Planning Authority that make up the Local Plan

Local Nature Reserve

Local Nature Reserve – a habitat of local or regional significance that makes a useful contribution both to nature conservation and to the opportunities for the community to see, learn about and enjoy wildlife.

Local Plan

Set of documents that set out the planning policy for the District.

LSP

Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). The Three Rivers Local Strategic Partnership is an umbrella partnership that brings together public and private organisations and community groups, allowing different initiatives and services to support one another so that they can work more effectively together. One of its main tasks is to prepare and implement the Sustainable Community Strategy.

Major Development

In terms of residential development – 10 dwellings or more or 0.5 hectares. In terms of other development – floorspace of 1,000 square metres or more. (As defined by Communities and Local Government).

On-site renewable technology

Collective term for domestic scale renewable energy technologies such as solar thermal, solar photovoltaics and domestic wind turbines provided on the site of development.

OSS

Open Space Sport and Recreation Study (OSS). A strategy covering open space, playing pitches and sport and recreational facilities to guide future provision and management of existing resources in the District.

PDL

Previously Developed Land (or Brownfield land) – land that is, or has been occupied by a permanent structure and associated fixed surface infrastructure. Agricultural and forestry buildings are excluded.

Proposals Map

This map illustrates the policies and proposals in the Local Development Documents (LDDs) on an Ordnance Survey base.

SA

Sustainability Appraisal (SA) – Identifies and evaluates the effects of the strategy or plan on social, environmental and economic conditions.

SEA

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) – an assessment of the environmental effects of a plan or programme required by EU Directive 2001/42/EC.  The assessment examines the potential impacts of policies and proposals on the environment and includes proposals for the mitigation of these impacts.

SPD

Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) – Elaborates on policies or proposals in Local Development Documents and gives additional guidance. Successor to Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Spatial Planning

System to integrate land use planning policies with the policies of other plans, programmes and strategies which also influence the nature of places and how they function. Also about an integrated and partnership approach towards delivery of development.

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) – a study which assesses and maps all forms of flood risk from groundwater, surface water, sewer and river sources, taking into account future climate change predictions.

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 the following five guiding principles, in its strategy for sustainable development, “Securing the Future” to be achieved simultaneously: Living within environmental limits: Ensuring a strong healthy and just society: Achieving a sustainable economy: Promoting good governance: and using sound science responsibly.

TRDC

Three Rivers District Council (TRDC).

Wildlife Site

A non-statutory designation for sites of substantive nature conservation, geological or geomorphological value, as identified in the 'Habitat Survey for Three Rivers' carried out by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.