Glossary and Abbreviations

Accessibility

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

Affordable Housing

Affordable housing includes social rented and intermediate housing, provided to specific eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. (Planning Policy Statement 3). It does not include low-cost market housing.

AMR

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) assesses the Council's progress in producing the Local Development Documents and implementing policies.

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.

ASCEND

ASCEND is located in the All Saints' Church Centre, South Oxhey.  Founded by local people to counteract the problems of unemployment, social deprivation and learning disabilities. 

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.

BME

Black and Minority Ethnic Groups.

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.

Capital

Capital refers to the budget that funds acquisition of a fixed asset.

CIL

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

Class A1

Retail use classification as defined under the Use Classes (Amendment) Order 2005. Class A1 includes shops, retail warehouses, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices, dry cleaners, internet cafes etc., pet shops, cat-meat shops, tripe shops, sandwich bars, show rooms, domestic hire shops and funeral directors.

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 Local Development Framework 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. The Core Strategy will have the status of a Development Plan Document.

CURS

Centre for Urban and Regional Studies.

DCSF

Department for Children, Schools & Families (DCSF).

DES

Development Economics Study – A study that assesses the economic viability of land for housing within the District taking account of risks to delivery and likely levels of finance available for affordable housing.

Developer Contributions

Contribution in the form of money, land or other means collected from developers to pay towards the cost of infrastructure.

Development Plan

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

District

Three Rivers District.

DPD

Development Plan Document (DPD) is a Local Development Document which forms part of the statutory development plan, including the Core Strategy, Site Allocations and Proposals Map.

Dph

Dwellings per hectare.

East of England Plan

East of England Plan (also known as the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)) – set out the broad spatial strategy for the region prepared by the East of England Regional Assembly.

EERA

East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) – was the Regional planning and housing body responsible for the production of the Regional Spatial Strategy. It consisted of a partnership of elected representatives from the 54 local authorities in the East of England and appointed representatives from social, economic and environmental interests. The Regional Assembly was abolished on 31 March 2010.

Employment Land

Land allocated for industrial and business use.

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 Development Framework 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).

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 (as defined in PPS5) and assets identified by the local planning authority during the process of decision-making or through the plan-making process (including local listing).

Herts Mind Network

Herts Mind Network is a mental health organisation providing a diverse range of recovery orientated services in Hertfordshire.

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.

KCDC

Key Centre for Development and Change – an area identified by the Regional Spatial Strategy – for regional focus for housing, employment, retail, leisure, tourism, cultural and educational development.

Key Diagram

A diagram which illustrates the main strategic principles of the spatial strategy of the Local Development Framework. It is not site-specific, unlike the proposals map.

Key Workers

Essential public sector workers such as nurses, teachers and social workers.

LAP

Local Area for Play (LAP) a small area of unsupervised open space specifically designed for younger children mainly between the ages of 4-6 years.

Local Area Agreements

Local Area Agreements (LAAs) set out the priorities for a local area between central government and a local area (the local authority and Local Strategic Partnership) and other key partners.

LCBSR

London Commuter Belt Sub-Region – a sub-region of the East of England Region which consists of Hertfordshire and four Essex Districts (Brentwood, Chelmsford, Epping Forrest and Harlow).

LDF

Local Development Framework – the portfolio or folder of Local Development Documents, which set out the planning policy framework for the District.

LEAP

Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP) – is a piece of open space that is designated and equipped for children of early school age.

LIFT

Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) is an NHS funding vehicle for improving and developing frontline primary and community care facilities, allowing PCTs to invest in new premises.

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 – comprising two main types: Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents, which together from the Local Development Framework.

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

The plan produced under the former planning system by District Councils. The Three Rivers Local Plan will be replaced by the Local Development Framework.

Logistics/ Big B8 Sheds

Units typically in excess of 9,000 sq m (100,000 sq ft) on sites with plentiful parking and yard space; often featuring 20 or more dock levellers; cross docking facilities; over 12m eaves height; 50k/N floor loadings and about 10% office content. Often occupied by food, clothing and white goods retailers.

London Arc

The London Arc comprises the area in the East of England closest to and most strongly influenced by London. It includes the districts of Broxbourne, Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers, Watford and Welwyn Hatfield in Hertfordshire and Brentwood and Epping Forest in Essex.

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).

Minor Development

In terms of residential development – less than 10 dwellings or less than 0.5 hectares. In terms of other development – floorspace less than 1,000 square metres. (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 as required by PPG17.

PCT

Primary Care Trust (PCTs) – cover all parts of England and take control of local health care. Hertfordshire and West Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust cover Three Rivers.

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.

Performance Reward Grant

A performance related grant awarded by the CLG to Local Strategic Partnerships on their achievement of their LAAs.

PPG

Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) – Guidance produced by the Government setting out national planning policy (being replaced by Planning Policy Statements).

PPS

Planning Policy Statement (PPS) – Guidance produced by the Government setting out national planning policy (gradually replacing Planning Policy Guidance).

Private Finance Initiative Contract

Private Finance Initiative Contract (PFI) relates to the contract between the Highways Authority and private companies who contribute to the cost of and carry out works involved in the widening of the M25.

Proposals Map

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

Retail Capacity Study

Retail Capacity Study is an assessment of retail to identify need and gaps in provision and to inform the allocation of sites to meet such need as required by Planning Policy Statement 6.

Revenue

Revenue refers to the budget that funds the on going costs of a fixed asset or service.

RSS

Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) (also known as the East of England Plan) – set out the broad spatial strategy for the region prepared by East of England Regional Assembly.

SA

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

SCI

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) – document setting out how and when stakeholders and other interested parties will be consulted and involved in the preparation of the Local Development Framework (and in the consideration of individual planning applications).

SCS

Sustainable Community Strategy – the Council's strategy prepared by the Local Strategic Partnership which takes a partnership approach to improving services, thereby improving quality of life.

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.

Secondary Sheds

Typically provide space for smaller businesses, catering for local markets, and undertaking identifiably industrial activities. Businesses may be involved in cleaning services, distribution, electronics, engineering, flooring, food and drink, import/export, motor trades, printing, sign making and tool making and many other diverse activities.

SHLAA

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) – an assessment of land availability for housing, over a fifteen year period required by Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing. (An update on the Urban Capacity Study (UCS) carried out under the requirements of Planning Policy Guidance 3).

SHMA

Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) – an assessment of housing need and demand which can inform the development of Local Development Documents in planning for housing policies, as set out in Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing.

Smart Sheds

Commonly high-quality buildings with hybrid space, allowing flexible production, warehouse and office, high ceilings (around seven metres), surface-level loading doors, floor loadings of 30-40 kN per sq m and generous service yards and parking; all provided within a good quality, managed development providing say 5-20 units in total. Many building in this sector range between 1,000 sq m (10,000 sq ft) and 5,000 sq m (50,000 sq ft.
They support different activities than traditionally occupy industrial buildings, being service-based rather than production-based, and include a high-share of white-collar and distribution work as opposed to manufacturing.

SPD

Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) – Elaborates on policies or proposals in Development Plan 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.

Street Gym

Street Gym is a set of equipment that mirrors an indoor gym with cross trainers, bikes, chest presses etc and is usually located in open spaces.

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).

Turning Point

Turning Point is a social care organisation providing services for people with complex needs, including those affected by drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems and learning disabilities.

UCS

Urban Capacity Study (UCS) – an assessment of land to identify and allocate land for development required under Planning Policy Guidance 3. Updated by the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment.

Windfall

Windfall refers to a site not specifically allocated for development in a development plan, but which unexpectedly becomes available for development during the lifetime of a plan. Most “windfalls” are referred to in a housing context. They tend to be very small sites.