C Glossary

C Glossary

Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) - an area, declared by the Council, where national air quality objectives are not being met.

Affordable housing - social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Eligibility is determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices. Affordable housing should include provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households or, if these restrictions are lifted, for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision.

Aftercare of minerals and oil and gas sites - a period of aftercare will commence following restoration of the site to ensure that the land returns to a state that is the same or better than it was prior to operations commencing.

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.

Aggregate - sand, gravel, crushed rock and other bulk materials used in the construction industry for purposes such as the making of concrete, mortar, asphalt or for roadstone, drainage or bulk filling materials.

Allocated land/sites - land which has been identified in the development plan as being acceptable in principle for development for a particular purpose.

Anaerobic digestion - a process in which organic matter is broken down by bacteria in the absence of air, producing a gas (methane) and solid (digestate). The by-products can be useful, for example gas can be used to produce heat and power or in gas-powered vehicles, and digestates can be re-used on farms as a fertiliser.

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) - assessment of the implementation of the Local Development Scheme and the extent to which policies in Local Development Documents are being successfully implemented.

Apportionment - a specified amount of aggregates to be produced annually on a sub-regional basis.

Appraisal of hydrocarbons - further testing or exploratory work once a hydrocarbon has been found as a result of exploration phase, in order to further define the deposit and evaluate the options available or assess the viability and potential environmental effects of commercial exploitation. The appraisal stage may involve further seismic work or drilling and is usually a relatively short-term activity, typically between six months and two years.

Appropriate Assessment - undertaken as part of a Habitats Regulations Assessment to establish the impacts a Local Development Document will have on a range of European designated sites.

Areas of Critical Drainage (ACD) - an informal area of critical drainage as identified through the SFRA.

Area of Search - a technique used to identify areas of land which are considered to contain mineral resources and which are generally free from major mappable constraints.

Area of Special County Value - areas in the borough that are demonstrably special in their landscape character and scenic value.

Backfill - the material used to fill cavities produced at minerals and oil and gas sites.

Biodiversity - a measure of the number and range of species and their relative abundance in a community.

Biomass plant - biomass is renewable organic matter, frequently wood or plant based materials. A biomass plant is a power plant which produces heat and power by burning biomass.

Bird strike - damage to aircraft caused by birds.

Brine - salt which occurs in solution form.

BS42020 - British Standard BS42020 Code of Practice for Planning and Development promotes transparency and consistency of ecological information submitted with planning applications and applications for other regulatory approvals.

BS5837:2012 – the British Standard for Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations. It sets out the arboriculture process to be followed where trees are being considered in relation to development. It provides recommendations and guidance on assessing and protecting trees during all stages of development and how a harmonious relationship between trees and structures can be achieved and sustained in the long term.

Brownfield land - see 'previously developed land' (PDL).

Brownfield Land Register - information on brownfield land/sites that are considered to be appropriate for residential development (having regard to the criteria set out in Regulation 4 of the Town and Country Planning (Brownfield Land Register) Regulations 2017. Part 1: all brownfield sites appropriate for residential development. Part 2: those sites granted permission in principle (PiP).

Coalbed Methane (CBM) - natural gases produced during coal formation which are either adsorbed onto the coal or dispersed into pore spaces around the coal seam. Can be extracted and used as an energy source.

Combined heat and power - the combined production of heat (usually in the form of steam) and power (usually in the form of electricity). Plants can be powered by burning natural gas or biomass.

Communal living accommodation - a number of bedrooms (greater than 6) sharing living facilities (including kitchen, bathroom and toilet), including school, university, and college student halls of residence, hospital staff accommodation, hostels, care homes and defence establishments (excluding married quarters).

Community facilities - facilities providing for the health, welfare, social, educational, spiritual, leisure and cultural needs of the community.

Community Infrastructure Levy - a levy allowing local authorities to raise funds from owners or developers of land undertaking new building projects in their area.

Conservation Areas - areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Such areas are designated by Local Planning Authorities under the Town and Country Planning Acts.

Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) - an independent organisation to facilitate a range of collaborative activities that help improve the industry.

Contaminated land - land that is polluted by noxious or toxic substances.

Countryside - the rural area beyond the boundaries of the main urban settlements (Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich and Winsford), the key service centres and the local service centres as identified in Local Plan (Part One) policy STRAT 8 and Local Plan (Part Two) policy R 1, and identified on the polices map. For the purpose of the Local Plan, villages and hamlets that are not identified as a key or local service centre are categorised as a countryside.

Critical Drainage Area (CDA) - an area within Flood Zone 1 which has critical drainage problems and which has been notified to the local planning authority by the Environment Agency.

Curtilage - the area of land normally immediately surrounding a building and which is enclosed, that is used intimately in association with, and to serve the purpose of the building. Curtilage may include structures and buildings within it that are similarly used. Land ownership does not automatically define the curtilage of a building.

Deliverable (housing supply) - in line with NPPF, a deliverable site 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 five years.

Derelict land - land so damaged by industrial or other development that it is incapable of beneficial use without treatment.

Developable (housing supply) - in line with NPPF, a developable site for housing should be in a suitable location for housing development and there should be a reasonable prospect that the site is available and could be viably developed at the point envisaged.

Development brief - document providing detailed information to guide developers on the type of development, design and layout constraints and other requirements for a particular, usually substantial, site.

District heat network - a district heat network comprises of a source of heat (which could be a combined heat and power plant or waste heat) which is distributed to consumer/s via a pipe network.  It can be as simple as a heat source supplying 2 consumer points or a complex network with a number of different heat sources supplying a large number of different consumers.

Dwelling (in line with the Census definition) - a self-contained unit of accommodation. Self-containment is where all rooms (including kitchen, bathroom and toilet) are behind a single door which only that household can use.

Ecological network - links sites of biodiversity importance at a broad landscape scale.

Economic development - development, including those within the B Use Classes, public and community uses and main town centre uses (but excluding housing development).

Ecosystem services - the benefits people obtain from ecosystems such as food, water, flood and disease control, recreation.

Edge of centre - for retail purposes, a location that is well connected and up to 300 metres of the primary shopping area. For all other main town centre uses, a location within 300 metres of a town centre boundary. For office development, this includes locations outside the town centre but within 500 metres of a public transport interchange. In determining whether a site falls within the definition of edge of centre, account should be taken of local circumstances.

Employment land - development of land falling within use classes B1, B2 and B8 or applicable sui generis uses of the Use Classes Order 1987 as amended.

Enterprise Zone - the Cheshire Science Corridor Enterprise Zone is an area in which sites are identified as benefiting from tax incentives to support future economic growth with a particular focus on sectors in life science, energy, nuclear, environmental technology, advanced manufacturing and engineering and automotive. It supports collaboration and synergies between businesses, institutions and research establishments.

Exploration of hydrocarbons - mineral exploration is the process of ascertaining the presence, extent or quality of a mineral deposit with a view to commercial exploitation of that mineral. The exploration phase usually takes around two to six months.

Fibre to the premises (FTTP) - an end-to-end fibre optic connection from the exchange to the building. It delivers faster speeds than a connection between the exchange and street cabinets which then connect to a standard phone line to provide broadband.

Financial viability - the ability of a development project to meet the normal costs of development and mitigation, including the costs of any requirements likely to be applied to the development (such as requirements for affordable housing or infrastructure contributions) and provide competitive returns to a willing land owner and willing developer to enable the development to be deliverable.

Geodiversity - the range of rocks, minerals, fossils, soils and landforms.

Green Belt - area of land, largely rural in character, which is adjacent to the main urban areas and which is generally protected from development by restrictions on building imposed through national planning policy.

Green Infrastructure - a network of multi-functional green space, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities.

Greenfield - land on which no development has previously taken place unless the previous development was for agriculture or forestry purpose or, the remains of any structure or activity have blended into the landscape.

Habitable room - any room used or intended to be used within a dwelling as a living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen, study or playroom. Bathrooms, toilets, hallways/corridors, staircases, landings, utility rooms, laundries, service rooms, store rooms, garages or workshops and similar spaces are excluded from this definition.

Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) - an assessment of land/sites for development potential, and deliverability (see National Planning Practice Guidance).

Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) - sites to which the public can bring domestic waste including bulky items and green waste. Waste collected is sent to a variety of locations for recycling or other forms of treatment.

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) - the process of fracturing the rock structure to provide permeability for extracting shale gas.

Hydrocarbons - within the context of the minerals policies, “hydrocarbon” relates to oil, gas and coal bed methane.

Identified settlement - the named urban settlements, key service centres, and local service centres only, as set out in Local Plan (Part One) policies STRAT 3 to STRAT 8 and Local Plan (Part Two) policy R 1 and their corresponding boundaries as identified on the policies map.

Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) - key source of evidence of deprivation at Lower Super Output Area level across England. It measures disadvantage and consists of seven domains: income; employment; health deprivation and disability; education, skills and training; barriers to housing and services; crime; and living environment.

Infill - the filling of a small gap, up to two dwellings, in an otherwise built up frontage in an identified settlement.(Please refer to definition of ‘identified settlement’ in the Glossary).

Key Settlement Gaps - areas that are important for maintaining the distinct and/or remaining separation between settlements, and in doing so, helps to define settlement identity, character, sense of place or historic settlement form. The network of key settlement gaps contributes towards protecting landscape character and distinctiveness.

Land-based businesses - agricultural, forestry and horticulture with an emphasis on food production.

Lapsed/disused playing pitch - playing field sites that formerly accommodated playing pitches but are no longer used for formal or informal sports use within the last five years (lapsed) or longer (disused).

Listed building - a building included in a list compiled by the Secretary of State for National Heritage as being of special architectural or historic interest.

Local Development Document (LDD) - the collective term for documents prepared by a local planning authority which contain statements and policies regarding the development and use of land and the allocation of sites.

Local Development Order (LDO) - made by local planning authorities and give a grant of planning permission to specific types of development within a defined area. They streamline the planning process by removing the need for developers to make a planning application to a local planning authority.

Local Development Scheme (LDS) - a public document setting out the Council’s programme for the production of its Local Development Documents.

Local Plan - a plan setting the statutory planning framework for the area.

Local Planning Authority - the body responsible for carrying out the statutory planning functions.

Main town centre uses - retail development (including warehouse clubs and factory outlet centres); leisure, entertainment facilities the more intensive sport and recreation uses (including cinemas, restaurants, drive-through restaurants, bars and pubs, night-clubs, casinos, health and fitness centres, indoor bowling centres, and bingo halls); offices; and arts, culture and tourism development (including theatres, museums, galleries and concert halls, hotels and conference facilities).

Major development - as defined in The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, or subsequent amendments to this definition: Development involving any one or more of the following:(a) the winning and working of minerals or the use of land for mineral-working deposits; (b) waste development; (c) the provision of dwellinghouses where: (i) the number of dwellinghouses to be provided is 10 or more; or (ii) the development is to be carried out on a site having an area of 0.5 hectares or more and it is not known whether the development falls within sub-paragraph (c)(i); (d) the provision of a building or buildings where the floor space to be created by the development is 1,000 square metres or more; or (e) development carried out on a site having an area of 1 hectare or more.

Mineral sterilisation - loss of the ability to extract a mineral deposit.

MSA - Minerals Safeguarding Area - areas where proven mineral resources exist identified to alert against potential sterilisation.

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) - the Government's policies for plan making (Local Plans) and decision taking (development management).

National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) - the Government's web-based resource launched in March 2014, which brings together planning guidance on various topics to supplement the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Neighbourhood Development Order - an Order made by a local planning authority (under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) through which Parish Councils and neighbourhood forums can grant planning permission for a specific development proposal or classes of development.

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

Non-designated heritage assets - 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.

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 visual amenity.

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.

Permission in Principle (PiP) - an alternative way of obtaining residential planning permission that separates the consideration of matters of principle from the technical detail of a development. This consent route has two stages: the first stage establishes whether a site is suitable in principle for residential development; and the second stage is an assessment of the detailed development proposals.

Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences (PEDL) - a licence that companies seeking to explore for or produce oil or gas must obtain from the Oil and Gas Authority. The issuing of a PEDL conveys no permission for operations on land, but gives exclusivity for exploration operations against other oil and gas exploration companies within a defined area.

Preferred Areas - Preferred Areas are defined by the Government as areas of known resources where planning permission might reasonably be anticipated by industry. These areas will contain viable mineral deposits and have been assessed against planning criteria as the least environmentally damaging sites. They are areas of land with reasonable evidence for the existence of commercially extractable minerals, which are largely unaffected by substantial planning constraints and which are adequate, collectively, to meet the anticipated need for the mineral.

Previously Developed Land (PDL) - land which is or has been 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 and buildings used for outdoor sport and recreation purposes (including recreation grounds, parks, allotments, the keeping of horses and playing golf); residential gardens; 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. Also referred to as brownfield land.

Primary Aggregates/Minerals - minerals that are extracted or won from where they naturally occur.

Production of hydrocarbons - the long term production of oil or gas commercially.  In most cases the initial seismic survey work can be completed under permitted development rights, but apart from this, planning permission is required for each phase of hydrocarbon extraction.

Redevelopment - the development of land with a pre-existing use through demolition and new build, or change of use of a building/structure. The development of greenfield land for an alternative use is not classed as redevelopment.

Restoration of minerals and oil and gas sites - restoring the site to its former use or, in some circumstances, an appropriate new use or for other environmental benefits.

Rural exception sites - small sites in the rural area used for affordable housing in perpetuity where sites would not normally be used for housing.

Silica sand / industrial sand - silica sand, also known as industrial sand, contains a high proportion of silica in the form of quartz and is chemically purer and more even grained than construction sand.

Site liaison committee - a group established as a means of communication between interested parties and site operators.

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) - sets out the areas of the borough that may flood, taking into account a number of flooding sources and climate change. The SFRA should form the basis of flood risk management decisions.

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) - an assessment of land for residential development in line with National Planning Practice Guidance (now superseded by the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment).

Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) - an assessment of a housing market produced by authorities or partnership authorities.

Superfast broadband - broadband with download speeds of at least 30 megabits per second (or the most recent Government requirements, if higher).

Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) - guidance notes produced by the local authority, which give advice on particular aspects of policies in development plan documents. They can provide a guide for developers. They do not form part of the development plan and are not subject to independent examination.

Sustainability Appraisal (SA) - a means of appraising the social, environmental and economic effects that policies and plans may have in the long term. Sustainability appraisals are required for each development plan document and must fully incorporate the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) - a sequence of management practices and control structure, often referred to as SuDS, designed to drain water in a more sustainable manner than some conventional techniques.  Typically these are used to attenuate run-off from development sites.

Trade Counters - 10% retail use in a factory or warehouse.

Unconventional oil and gas - oil and gas resources that are trapped in impermeable rocks, such as shale, and require unconventional methods of extraction, such as hydraulic fracturing of the rock to enable the shale gas to be collected; dewatering of rock to extract coal bed methane; and underground coal gasification.

Underground coal gasification - the process of converting coal into a gas that can then be extracted and processed.

Visitor accommodation - this includes, but is not restricted to; hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast accommodation, touring and camping sites, static caravans, chalets (including other forms of static accommodation such as pods, yurts and tepees).

Waste Management Facility - this term covers a wide range of facilities including recycling facilities and depots, waste transfer stations, Household Waste Recycling Centres, composting sites, scrapyards, energy from waste plants and anaerobic digestion plants.

Waste Needs Assessment - a waste needs assessment is carried out as part of the Local Plan preparation.  It forecasts the quantities of various types of waste which may be produced in the area over the plan period. From this, an assessment is made of whether there are sufficient facilities to manage the waste in the area, or whether additional facilities will be required.