Annex 3: London Plan Glossary

A socket or equivalent connected to the electrical supply system that vehicle owners can use to recharge their vehicle (see also ‘Passive provision for electric vehicles’).

Commercial and shop units (falling within use classes A1-A5) that are provided at rents maintained below the market rate for that space.

See Policy H4 Delivering affordable housing.

Workspace that is provided at rents maintained below the market rate for that space for a specific social, cultural, or economic development purpose.

The principle places the responsibility of mitigating the impact of nuisances (including noise) from existing nuisance generating uses on proposed new development close by, thereby ensuring that residents and users of the new development are protected from nuisances, and existing uses are protected from nuisance complaints. Similarly, any new nuisance-generating development, for example a music venue, will need to put in place measures to mitigate noise impacts on existing development close by.

This is granular material used in construction. Aggregates may be natural, artificial or recycled.

An area which a local authority had designated for action, based upon a prediction that Air Quality Objectives will be exceeded.

An Air Quality Neutral development is one that meets, or improves upon, the air quality neutral benchmarks published in guidance from the GLA. The benchmarks set out the maximum allowable emissions of NOx and Particulate Matter based on the size and use class of the proposed development. Separate benchmarks are set out for emissions arising from the development and from transport associated with the development. Air Quality Neutral applies only to the completed development and does not include impacts arising from construction, which should be separately assessed in the Air Quality Assessment.

The surface reflectivity of the sun’s radiation.

Ongoing sound in the environment such as from transport and industry, as distinct from individual events, such as a noisy all-night party. Unless stated otherwise, noise includes vibration.

Element of a location or neighbourhood that helps to make it attractive or enjoyable for residents and visitors.

Biological degradation of organics (e.g. food waste and green garden waste) in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas suitable for energy generation (including transport fuel), and residue (digestate) suitable for use as a soil improver.

Self-contained hotel accommodation (C1 Use Class) that provides for short-term occupancy purchased at a nightly rate with no deposit against damages. This will usually include concierge and room service, and include formal procedures for checking in and out. Planning conditions may limit length of stay for occupiers.

There will be archaeological interest in a heritage asset if it holds, or potentially may hold, evidence of past human activity worthy of expert investigation at some point. Heritage assets with archaeological interest are the primary source of evidence about the substance and evolution of places, and of the people and cultures that made them.

Areas where people have to walk more than one kilometre to reach a publicly accessible metropolitan or borough Site of Importance for Nature (SINC).

Areas lacking in sufficient publicly accessible open space, as defined by a set of standards in Policy G4 Open space.

A tool used by local planning authorities to remove some or all permitted development rights that apply to a particular site or area.

Attributes are tangible or intangible aspects of a World Heritage property which are associated with or express the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and can be the physical elements, the relationships between elements and/or time related processes. The UNESCO Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (the Operational Guidelines) indicate a range of types of attribute which might convey OUV, including form and design; materials and substance; use and function; traditions; techniques and management systems; location and setting; language and other forms of intangible heritage; and spirit and feeling. Attributes identified for a property should flow from the adopted Statement of Outstanding Universal Value.

Authenticity relates only to cultural properties and is about the link between attributes and Outstanding Universal Value. It is embodied in those characteristics that most truthfully reflect and embody the cultural heritage values of a place. They can be expressed in the variety of types of attributes listed in the definition of attributes (Operational Guidelines).

The placement of excavation waste to land in a way that:

• provides environmental benefits, particularly through the restoration of priority habitat, flood alleviation or climate change adaptation/mitigation; or
• contributes towards the restoration of landfill sites and mineral workings

while

• minimising adverse impacts to the environment or communities (for example transport, air quality and other considerations); and
• demonstrating that the waste cannot be recycled or treated and managed in a more sustainable way.

This refers to the variety of plants and animals and other living things in a particular area or region. It encompasses habitat diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity. Biodiversity has value in its own right and has social and economic value for human society.

Measures to improve existing or create replacement habitat where there are unavoidable impacts on wildlife habitats resulting from development or change of land use.

The total dry organic matter or stored energy of plant matter. As a fuel it includes energy crops and sewage as well as arboricultural forestry and agricultural residues.

Areas covered by water including the River Thames and other rivers, canals, reservoirs, lakes and ponds.

Attenuation tanks at roof or podium level.

The London boroughs are 32 of the 33 local authority districts within the Greater London administrative area (the 33rd is the City of London). For the purposes of this Plan, this term includes all Local Planning Authorities including the City of London and the Mayoral Development Corporations.

See Previously Developed Land

Schemes which meet the definition set out in Policy H11 Build to Rent.

A payment to the relevant Local Planning Authority for the provision of affordable housing in the event that the Build to Rent Covenant is broken through the sale of units out of rented tenure within the covenant period.

A covenant within a Section 106 agreement to ensure new private rented homes are secured for the rental market for a minimum of 15 years. During this period the private rented homes must be retained in single ownership. Homes cannot be sold out of rented tenure or the covenant would be broken triggering a Build to Rent Clawback payment to the relevant Local Planning Authority for the provision of affordable housing.

A defined area in which a levy is charged on all business rate payers in addition to the business rates bill. This levy is used to develop projects that will benefit businesses in the local area.

A short-term car rental service that allows members access to cars parked locally for a per-minute, per-hour or per-day fee.

Principal greenhouse gas related to climate change.

The vibrant heart and globally iconic core of London. The CAZ contains a broad range of functions that have London-wide, national and international significance including Government, business, culture, research and education, retailing, tourism, transport and places of worship. The CAZ offers access to a unique collection of heritage and environmental assets including World Heritage Sites, the Royal Parks and the River Thames.

An economic model in which resources are kept in use at the highest level possible for as long as possible in order to maximise value and reduce waste, moving away from the traditional linear economic model of ‘make, use, dispose’.

Clean technology (CleanTech) is a general term used to describe products, processes or services that reduce waste and require as few non-renewable resources as possible.

The combined production of electricity and usable heat is known as Combined Heat and Power (CHP). Steam or hot water, which would otherwise be rejected when electricity alone is produced, is used for space or process heating.

Waste arising from premises which are used wholly or mainly for trade, business, sport, recreation or entertainment as defined in Schedule 4 of the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992.

A communal heating system supplies heat to multiple properties from a common heat source. It may range from a district system heating many buildings to a system serving an individual block of flats.

Community engagement is a process that involves communities in deliberation, decision making and practical action. Community engagement can be done using a wide range of methods, and can include both face to face and online engagement.

Schemes that are genuinely community-led all share three common principles: meaningful community engagement and consent occurs throughout the development process (communities do not necessarily have to initiate the conversation, or build homes themselves); there is a presumption that the community group or organisation will take a long-term formal role in the ownership, stewardship or management of the homes; and the benefits of the scheme to the local area and/or specified community group are clearly defined and legally protected in perpetuity.

These refer to shopping for things like clothes, electrical items, household and leisure goods. Comparison goods are bought relatively infrequently, so consumers usually evaluate prices, features and quality before making a purchase.

The process of maintaining and managing change to a heritage asset in a way that sustains and, where appropriate, enhances its significance.

This is waste arising from the excavation, construction, repair, maintenance and demolition of buildings and structures, including roads. It consists mostly of brick, concrete, hardcore, subsoil and topsoil, but it can contain quantities of timber, metal, plastics and occasionally special (hazardous) waste materials.

These refer to shopping for everyday essential items like food, drink, newspapers and confectionery.

A Mayor of London initiative to establish clusters of creative production, which provide affordable premises and enterprise-related incentives for artists and creative businesses, pro-culture planning and housing policies, and offer career pathways and creative jobs for local communities and young people.

Those industries which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property.

Areas where a critical mass of cultural activities and related uses, usually in historic or interesting environments, are designated as Cultural Quarters. They can contribute to urban regeneration.

A range of definitions exists for decentralised energy. In the context of the London Plan, it refers to low- and zero-carbon power and/or heat generated and delivered within London. This includes microgeneration, such as photovoltaics on individual buildings, through to large-scale heat networks.

A statement that accompanies a planning application to explain the design principles and concepts that have informed the development and how access issues have been dealt with. The access element of the statement should demonstrate how the principles of inclusive design, including the specific needs of disabled people, have been integrated into the proposed development and how inclusion will be maintained and managed.

A World Heritage Site, Scheduled Monument, Listed Building, Protected Wreck Site, Registered Park and Garden, Registered Battlefield or Conservation Area designated under the relevant legislation.

This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and in streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

The London Plan, Local Plans, other Development Plan Documents and Neighbourhood Plans.

This refers to development that requires planning permission.

Infrastructure, such as small cell antenna and ducts for cables, that supports fixed and mobile connectivity and therefore underpins smart technologies.

Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are designed to show the energy performance of public buildings. They use a scale that runs from ‘A’ to ‘G’ – ‘A’ being the most efficient and ‘G’ being the least.

A network of pipes carrying hot water or steam, usually underground, that connects heat production equipment with heat customers. They can range from several metres to several kilometres in length.

See Annex 1.

Policy hierarchy helping to reduce the rate and volume of surface water run-off.

A dual aspect dwelling is defined as one with openable windows on two external walls, which may be either on opposite sides of a dwelling or on adjacent sides of a dwelling where the external walls of a dwelling wrap around the corner of a building. The provision of a bay window does not constitute dual aspect.

The total life cycle carbon / energy / greenhouse gases used in the collection, manufacture, transportation, assembly, recycling and disposal of a given material or product.

Making the best or most efficient use of energy in order to achieve a given output of goods or services, and of comfort and convenience.

The Mayor’s tiered approach to reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the built environment. The first step is to reduce energy demand (be lean), the second step is to supply energy efficiently (be clean) and the third step is using renewable energy (be green).

Spatial and strategic planning that identifies and develops opportunities for decentralised energy and the associated technical, financial and legal considerations that provide the basis for project delivery.

In these assessments, information about the environmental effects of a project is collected, assessed and taken into account in reaching a decision on whether the project should go ahead or not.

This statement will set out a developer’s assessment of a project’s likely environmental effects, submitted with the application for consent for the purposes of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999.

A dwelling that by virtue of its size, layout and design is suitable for a family to live in and generally has three, four, five, or more bedrooms.

A general term to refer to trips made for the purposes of delivering goods, enabling servicing activity or supporting construction.

A cell that acts like a constantly recharging battery, electrochemically combining hydrogen and oxygen to generate power. For hydrogen fuel cells, water and heat are the only by-products and there is no direct air pollution or noise emissions. They are suitable for a range of applications, including vehicles and buildings.

Ensuring that designs are adaptable and take account of expected future changes.For example, ensuring a heating system is designed to be compatible with a planned district heat network to allow connection in future.

A range of ad hoc aviation services and activities including private jets, recreational flying and pilot training.

The variety of rocks, fossils, minerals, landforms, soils and natural processes, such as weathering, erosion and sedimentation, that underlie and determine the character of our natural landscape and environment.

A designated area of open land around London (or other urban areas). The fundamental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open; the essential characteristics of Green Belts are their openness and their permanence.

Relatively continuous areas of open space leading through the built environment, which may link to each other and to the Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land. They often consist of rivers, railway embankments and cuttings, roadside verges, canals, parks, playing fields and extensive areas of private gardens. They may allow animals and plants to be found further into the built-up area than would otherwise be the case and provide an extension to the habitats of the sites they join.

The total area covered by vegetation and water across London. It not only includes publicly accessible and publicly managed vegetated land (i.e. green space) and waterways, but also non-accessible green and blue spaces, as well as privately owned vegetated land including private gardens and agricultural land, and the area of vegetated cover on buildings and in the wider built environment such as green roofs, street trees and rain gardens.

Comprises the network of parks, rivers, water spaces and green spaces, plus the green elements of the built environment, such as street trees, green roofs and sustainable drainage systems, all of which provide a wide range of benefits and services.

Planting on roofs or walls to provide climate change, amenity, food growing and recreational benefits.

All vegetated open space of public value (whether publicly or privately owned), including parks, woodlands, nature reserves, gardens and sports fields, which offer opportunities for sport and recreation, wildlife conservation and other benefits such as storing flood water, and can provide an important visual amenity in the urban landscape.

The Greenfield runoff rate is the runoff rate from a site in its natural state, prior to any development. This should be calculated using one of the runoff estimation methods set out in Table 24.1 of CIRIA C753 The SuDS Manual.

Any gas that induces the greenhouse effect, trapping heat within the atmosphere that would normally be lost to space, resulting in an increase in average atmospheric temperatures, contributing to climate change. Examples include carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides.

The improvement of the appearance, function and wildlife value of the urban environment through use of vegetation or water.

Habitable floorspace is all floorspace with a floor to ceiling height of 1.5m or over within a habitable room. Floorspace within habitable rooms with a floor to ceiling height of between 0.9m and 1.5m is counted as 50 per cent of its floor area and any floor area with a floor to ceiling height lower than 0.9m is not counted as habitable floorspace.

A habitable room is any room used or intended to be used for sleeping, cooking, living or eating purposes. Enclosed spaces such as bath or toilet facilities, corridors, hallways, utility rooms or similar should not be considered habitable rooms.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is used as a systematic framework to identify the potential impacts of a development proposal, policy or plan on the health and wellbeing of the population and highlight any health inequalities that may arise. HIA should be undertaken as early as possible in the plan making or design process to identify opportunities for maximising potential health gains, minimising harm, and addressing health inequalities.

Health inequalities are systematic, avoidable and unfair differences in mental and/or physical health between groups of people. These differences affect how long people live in good health and are mostly a result of differences in people’s homes, education and childhood experiences, their environments, their income, jobs and employment prospects, their access to good public services and their everyday opportunities to live healthier lives.

Valued components of the historic environment. They include buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas or landscapes positively identified as having a degree of historic significance meriting consideration in planning decisions. They include both designated heritage assets and non-designated assets where these have been identified by the local authority (including local listing) during the process of decision-making or plan making.

All aspects of the environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time, including all surviving physical remains of past human activity, whether visible, buried or submerged, and landscaped and planted or managed flora.

Household waste includes waste from collection rounds of domestic properties (including separate rounds for the collection of recyclables), street cleansing and litter collection, beach cleansing, bulky household waste collections, hazardous household waste collections, household clinical waste collections, garden waste collections, and any other household waste collected by the waste authorities.

HMOs are dwellings which are shared by three or more tenants who form two or more households and share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. HMOs for between three and six people are classed as C4 whereas HMOs for more than six people are Sui Generis.

Mainly artificial structures (such as pavements, roads, driveways, parking areas and rooftops) that are covered by materials impenetrable to water (such as asphalt, concrete, brick and stone). Impermeable surfaces also collect solar heat in their dense mass. When the heat is released, it raises air temperatures (see ‘Urban heat island’).

The controlled burning of waste in the presence of sufficient air to achieve complete combustion. Energy is usually recovered in the form of electric power and/or heat. The emissions are controlled under EU Directive 2000/76/EC. This Directive also applies to other thermal treatment processes such as pyrolysis and gasification, so the term incineration may be applied to a wider range of thermal waste treatment processes.

Inclusive design results in an environment which everyone can use, to access and benefit from the full range of opportunities available; confidently, independently, with choice and dignity, which avoids separation or segregation and is made up of places and spaces that acknowledge diversity and difference, meeting the needs of everyone in society.

An inclusive neighbourhood is one in which people can live and work in a safe, healthy, supportive and inclusive neighbourhood. An inclusive neighbourhood will ensure that people are able to enjoy the options of easy access by public transport and active travel modes (walking and cycling), to services and facilities that are relevant to them. It will also allow people to safely and easily move around their neighbourhood through high quality people focused spaces, while enjoying barrier free access to surrounding areas and the wider city. They should have safe and easy access to a network of open spaces which meet their recreational needs to enhance health and wellbeing, as well as welcoming easily accessible communal spaces which provide opportunities for social interaction.

Waste from any factory and any premises occupied by industry (excluding mines and quarries) as defined in Schedule 3 of the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992.

Waste is inert if:

1. it does not undergo any significant physical, chemical or biological transformations
2. it does not dissolve, burn or otherwise physically or chemically react, biodegrade or adversely affect other matter with which it comes into contact in a way likely to give rise to environmental pollution or harm to human health; and
3. its total leachability and pollutant content and the ecotoxicity of its leachate are insignificant and, in particular, do not endanger the quality of any surface water or groundwater.

(Adapted from Environment Agency, Quality Protocol – Aggregates from inert waste, October 2013)

Includes transport, energy, water, waste, digital/smart, social and green infrastructure.

The area covered by the inner London boroughs. See Annex 2.

The creation of new products and services, technologies, processes, or business models.

Integrity is a measure of the completeness or intactness of the World Heritage property and its attributes which express the Outstanding Universal Value it holds (UNESCO Operational Guidelines).

A view in which key landmarks are seen through narrow gaps between buildings or landscaping.

A means of enabling a partnership of public and private sector organisations in regeneration schemes. In a simple model, the public sector body creates a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with a private sector partner. The public body transfers land to this partner at market value which is then matched by the private partner with at least an equivalent amount of investment capital. These investments form the equity of the SPV. The private partner undertakes the development and the public sector partner receives a share of profits in return for its land investment.

See Annex 1.

This provides current and historic information about development progress across all London boroughs. It is operated by the GLA with data supplied by London’s planning authorities.

[The London Development Database has now been replaced by the Planning London Datahub]

A broad prospect seen from an elevated public viewing place.

Airports in and around London offering scheduled international flights and which operate or have permission for more than 50,000 flight movements a year – i.e. London City, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Southend.

A charging zone across most of Greater London for vehicles (excluding cars) that do not meet emissions standards.

Retail development (including warehouse clubs and factory outlet centres); leisure, entertainment and 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).

For a full definition, see Part 1 of The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015. Generally, major developments are:

• Development of dwellings where 10 or more dwellings are to be provided, or the site area is 0.5 hectares or more;
• Development of other uses, where the floor space is 1,000 square metres or more, or the site area is 1 hectare or more.

See Annex 1.

An enterprise to promote and grow life sciences investment, entrepreneurship, collaboration and industry in London and the Wider South East. MedCity is a partnership between the Mayor and the Academic Health Science Centres in London, Cambridge and Oxford.

Extensive areas of land bounded by urban development around London that fulfils a similar function to Green Belt and is protected from inappropriate development by land-use planning policies.

See Annex 1.

Development for a variety of activities on single sites or across wider areas such as town centres.

A retailing strategy that offers customers a choice of ways to buy products including for example, retail stores, online, mobile stores, mobile app stores, telephone sales, mail orders, interactive television and comparison shopping sites.

It includes all household waste, street litter, waste delivered to council recycling points, municipal parks and gardens wastes, council office waste, Civic Amenity waste, and some commercial waste from shops and smaller trading estates where local authorities have waste collection agreements in place. It can also include industrial waste collected by a waste collection authority with authorisation of the waste disposal authority. Waste under the control of local authorities or agents acting on their behalf is now better known as ‘Local Authority Collected Waste’.

Designated by Natural England under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, they are key places for wildlife and natural features. They were established to protect the most significant areas of habitat and of geological formations.

Protection, management and promotion for the benefit of wild species and habitats, as well as the human communities that use and enjoy them. This also covers the creation and re-creation of wildlife habitats and the techniques that protect genetic diversity and can be used to include geological conservation.

See Annex 1.

All land in London that is predominantly undeveloped other than by buildings or structures that are ancillary to the open space use. The definition covers the broad range of types of open space within London, whether in public or private ownership and whether public access is unrestricted, limited or restricted.

Parking for vehicles which are required for the function of a building or the activities within it. This can include spaces for fleet vehicles, taxis or loading bays, but does not include parking for personal travel such as commuting.

London’s principal opportunities for accommodating large scale development to provide substantial numbers of new employment and housing, each typically more than 5,000 jobs and/or 2,500 homes, with a mixed and intensive use of land and assisted by good public transport accessibility.

The area covered by the outer London boroughs. See Annex 2.

Cultural and/or natural significance that is so exceptional that it transcends national boundaries and is of common importance for both present and future generations. An individual Statement of Outstanding Universal Value is agreed and adopted by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for each World Heritage Site at the time of its inscription. This Value can be expressed by physical, architectural or intangible attributes that are embodied in the buildings, spaces, monuments, artefacts and archaeological deposits within the site, the setting and views of and from it. Statements of Outstanding Universal Value are key references for the effective protection and management of World Heritage Sites and can be found on the Unesco World Heritage List.

See also Attributes, Authenticity, and Integrity.

The network of cables and power supply necessary so that at a future date a socket or equivalent can be added easily to allow vehicle owners to recharge their vehicle (see also ‘Active provision for electric vehicles’).

A general planning permission granted not by the local authority but by Parliament. Legislation (currently the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development (England) Order 2015) sets out classes of development for which a grant of planning permission is automatically given, provided that no restrictive condition is attached or that the development is exempt from the permitted development rights.

The direct conversion of solar radiation into electricity by the interaction of light with electrons in a semiconductor device or cell.

These frameworks provide a sustainable development programme for Opportunity Areas. The frameworks may be prepared by the GLA Group, boroughs, developers or partners. While planning frameworks will have a non-statutory status, it will be up to boroughs to decide how to reflect the proposals in planning frameworks within their Development Plans.

Homes built using a high proportion of components which are produced using modern and technologically-driven methods of manufacture, with this production often taking place offsite and the components then assembled onsite.

Land which is or was 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 in built-up areas such as private residential gardens, parks, recreation grounds and allotments; 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.

Terms used to describe the relative value or quality of a commercial investment property and its location. Typically, prime or Grade A offices include buildings of the highest quality and often in the most central locations of any given office market and with rents above the average for the area. Secondary property includes buildings with a lower quality or less central location compared to prime property. Tertiary property refers to buildings suitable for occupation but with the lowest quality specification and in less attractive or fringe locations and with rents below average for the area.

London’s priority habitats are those areas of wildlife habitat which are of most importance in London. Most areas of priority habitat are protected within Sites of importance for Nature Conservation.

These are species that are a conservation priority because they are under particular threat, or they are characteristic of a particular region.

All non-owner-occupied self-contained dwellings that are being rented out as housing (not including forms of affordable housing).

Certain plant and animal species protected to various degrees in law, particularly the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended).

Public Transport Access Levels (PTALs) are calculated across London using a grid of points at 100m intervals. For each point walk time to the public transport network is combined with service wait time (frequency) to give a measure of public transport network density.

TfL has made pre-calculated PTALs available on WebCAT, its web-based connectivity assessment toolkit (www.tfl.gov.uk/WebCAT). Users can view PTALs for any location in London alongside contextual information such as the local street network, rail stations and bus stops. Users can also view the PTALs resulting from planned improvements to and extensions of the public transport network. A limitation of PTALs is that they only reflect access to the public transport network, but not the opportunities and services reachable through the network. To address this, WebCAT also includes travel time mapping and catchment statistics (population, jobs, town centres, heath services and educational establishments) within given time bands. These can also be viewed for any selected location and combined with PTAL to give a more complete picture of public transport connectivity.

TfL may refine how PTALs and WebCAT operate but will consult on any proposed changes with stakeholders in advance. This may include an opportunity for users to assess connectivity in relation to cycling time to the public transport network rather than just walking time.

Publicly accessible space between and around buildings, including streets, squares, forecourts, parks and open spaces.

The Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006 (as amended) require that Noise Action Plans for agglomerations (including much of Greater London) include provisions that aim to protect any formally identified ‘Quiet Areas’ from an increase in road, railway, aircraft and industrial noise.

Nature conservation site designated under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance 1971.

The operation or process of checking, cleaning or repairing materials that have been discarded and are waste so that they can be used again for their original purpose as non-waste without any other pre-processing.

Adapted from Environment Agency, Guidance – Decide if a material is waste or not: general guide, May 2016.

Refers to “forms of recovery other than energy recovery and other than the reprocessing of waste into materials used as fuels or other means to generate energy. It includes preparing for re-use, recycling and backfilling and other forms of material recovery such as the reprocessing of waste into secondary raw materials for engineering purposes in construction of roads or other infrastructure. Depending on the specific factual circumstances, such reprocessing can fulfil the definition of recycling if the use of materials is based on proper quality control and meets all relevant standards, norms, specifications and environmental and health protection requirements for the specific use” – EU Directive 2018/851.

Involves the reprocessing of waste, either into the same product or a different one. Many non-hazardous wastes such as paper, glass, cardboard, plastics and metals can be recycled. Hazardous wastes such as solvents can also be recycled by specialist companies, or by in-house equipment.

Energy derived from a source that is continually replenished, such as wind, wave, solar, hydroelectric and energy from plant material, but not fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Although not strictly renewable, geothermal energy is generally included.

The addition of new technology or features to existing buildings in order to make them more efficient and to reduce their environmental impacts.

Short and longer distance visual experiences of the Thames riverscape.

A network of sites that have been safeguarded for cargo handling uses such as intraport or transhipment movements and freight-related purposes by Safeguarding Directions. A site remains safeguarded unless and until the relevant Safeguarding Direction is formally removed or amended.

Regular commercial flights operating to a timetable and responsible for carrying the overwhelming majority of passengers and freight travelling to or from London by air.

See prime, secondary and tertiary property.

To recover useful energy, in the form of heat, from sources where processes or activities produce heat which is normally wasted (for example recovering heat from the Underground network) or from heat that exists naturally within the environment (air, ground and water).

Waste materials that can be used in reuse, recycling and re-manufacturing processes instead of or alongside virgin raw materials. This can include waste materials from demolition and excavation, or discarded items such as furniture and electrical products.

These agreements confer planning obligations on persons with an interest in land in order to achieve the implementation of relevant planning policies as authorised by Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

In relation to waste, this means dealing with wastes within the administrative region where they are produced.

Planning policies that require particular steps to be taken, or types of location or sites to be considered, in a particular order of preference. For example, retail, commercial and leisure development should be focused on sites within town centres, or if no in-centre sites are available, on sites on the edges of centres that are or can be well integrated with the existing centre and public transport.

In the context of visitor accommodation this includes hotels, bed & breakfasts, guest houses, and hostels where services such as catering and cleaning are provided to guests.

Is the surrounding in which a heritage asset is experienced. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that significance or may be neutral.

A scheme that lends manual and powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters to members of the public allowing people who require the use of these facilities to travel to and visit, independently and with greater ease, local shops, leisure services and commercial facilities usually within a town or shopping centre.

The value of a heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. The interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic. Significance derives not only from a heritage asset’s physical presence, but also from its setting. For World Heritage Sites, the cultural value described within each site’s Statement of Outstanding Universal Value forms part of its significance.

Areas of land chosen to represent the best wildlife habitats in London and areas of land where people can experience nature close to where they live and work. Sites are classified into Sites of Metropolitan, Borough and Local Importance depending on their relative value. Unlike SSSIs, SINCs are not legally protected, but their value must be considered in any land use planning decision. Procedures for the identification of SINCs are set out in Appendix 5 of the Mayor’s London Environment Strategy.

Areas of land with ecological or geological interest of national importance. They are designated by Natural England under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981 as amended) and have legal protection.

Infrastructure, such as sensors, that produce, analyse and help to securely share data on the performance of the built and natural environment, as opposed to data purely on economic or social performance.

Covers facilities such as health provision, early years provision, schools, colleges and universities, community, recreation and sports facilities, places of worship, policing and other criminal justice or community safety facilities, children and young people’s play and informal recreation facilities. This list is not intended to be exhaustive and other facilities can be included as social infrastructure.

The overall quality of an acoustic environment as a place for human experience. Soundscape design might include preserving, reducing or eliminating certain sounds or combining and balancing sounds to create or enhance an attractive and stimulating acoustic environment.

The London Plan is the statutory spatial development strategy for the Greater London area that is prepared by the Mayor.

Designated under the EC Habitats Directive (1992), areas identified as best representing the range and variety within the EU of habitats and (non-bird) species.

Areas that are defined locally particularly where development pressures and market conditions could lead to the loss of valued specialist clusters of uses or functions identified as having particular significance to London’s unique identity, economic function or cultural heritage.

Designated under the EC Birds Directive (1979), areas of the most important habitat for rare and migratory birds within the EU.

These areas are the Census Local Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in greatest socio-economic need. They fall within the 20 per cent most deprived LSOAs in England, using the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Required under the European Directive 2001/42/EC, which has been transposed into UK Law through the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004. Strategic Environmental Assessment seeks to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans to promote sustainable development.

London’s largest concentrations of industrial, logistics and related capacity for uses that support the functioning of London’s economy.

The planning applications that must be referred to the Mayor under the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008 and any amendments thereto.

Views seen from places that are publicly accessible and well used and make a significant contribution to the image and character of London at the strategic level. They include significant buildings or urban landscapes that help to define London at a strategic level.

A prominent building or structure in the townscape, which has visual prominence, provides a geographical or cultural orientation point and is aesthetically attractive through visibility from a wider area or through contrast with objects or buildings close by.

Gives guidance on the implementation of policies in the London Plan.

A process of considering ways by which a Development Plan can contribute to improvements in environmental, social and economic conditions, as well as a means of identifying and mitigating any potential adverse effects that the plan might otherwise have. Sustainability Appraisal is required by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Using sustainable drainage techniques and managing surface water run-off from buildings and hardstandings in a way that reduces the total volume, flow and rate of surface water that runs directly into drains and sewers.

Technology district in East London incorporating Old Street, Shoreditch, Aldgate, Whitechapel and corridors to Dalston and Hackney Central.

See prime, secondary and tertiary property.

A special policy area to be defined by boroughs in which detailed appraisals of the riverside will be required.

A National Rail cross-London link.

Places in London that provide access to a range of commercial, cultural and civic activities, including shopping, leisure, employment, entertainment, culture, and social and community facilities. Town centres are classified in the London Plan according to their existing role and function in light of characteristics such as scale, mix of uses, economic performance and accessibility – see Annex 1.

Designated views which focus on architecturally and culturally important groups of buildings that can be enjoyed from well managed public spaces.

This is prepared and submitted alongside planning applications for developments likely to have significant transport implications. For major proposals, assessments should illustrate the following: accessibility to the site by all modes; the likely modal split of journeys to and from the site; and proposed measures to improve access by public transport, walking and cycling.

One of the GLA group of organisations, accountable to the Mayor, with responsibility for delivering an integrated and sustainable transport strategy for London.

A land-use planning tool to help determine the amount of greening required in new developments.

Urban greening describes the act of adding green infrastructure elements Due to the morphology and density of the built environment in London, green roofs, street trees, and additional vegetation are the most appropriate elements of green infrastructure in the city.

The height of buildings and their arrangement means that while more heat is absorbed during the day, it takes longer to escape at night. As a result, the centre of London can be up to 10°C warmer than the rural areas around the city. The temperature difference is usually larger at night than during the day. The Urban Heat Island effect is noticeable during both the summer and winter months.

An assessment of the financial viability of a development to determine the maximum level of affordable housing and other policy requirements where relevant to be undertaken in line with the methodology and approach set out in Policy H5 Threshold approach to applications and the Mayor’s Affordable Housing and Viability SPG.

A review of development viability defined with a Section 106 agreement enabling the reassessment of development viability after permission has been granted, at an early, mid or late stage in the development process. These mechanisms address uncertainties in the application stage assessment of viability to enable the maximum level of affordable housing provision over the lifetime of a proposal.

Leisure and business accommodation that provides temporary overnight accommodation on a commercial basis, including serviced accommodation such as hotels, bed and breakfast, guesthouses, hostels and campus accommodation, and non-serviced accommodation such as self-catering apart-hotels, caravans and camping.

See Blue/water space.

Whole life-cycle carbon emissions are the total greenhouse gas emissions arising from a development over its lifetime, from the emissions associated with raw material extraction, the manufacture and transport of building materials, to installation/construction, operation, maintenance and eventual material disposal.

East of England, South East of England and London taken together. Collaboration arrangements have been established at this strategic level.

The wider determinants of health are a diverse range of social, economic and environmental factors which impact on people’s health and life expectancy. They include transport, housing, education, income, working conditions, unemployment, air quality, green space, climate change and social and community networks.

Activity that causes no net release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

Activity that causes no release of air pollutants and carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.