Glossary
This glossary contains guidance on particular terms used in the Local Plan, and should not be interpreted necessarily as legal definitions.Accessibility
The ability of people to reach facilities and places by modes of travel in the minimum time and distance and with maximum convenience.
Affordable Housing
Housing provided where the rent or price is reduced, directly or indirectly, by means of public or private subsidy.
Area of Special Control of Advertisements
An area, set up under The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992, within which a stricter degree of advertisement control is enforced, to conserve visual amenity.
Areas of Local Landscape Importance
Areas which, although not of strategic significance, include the distinctive features of the Borough's rural landscape such as ridges, valleys and high ground.
Areas of Special Character (ASC)
Areas of the Borough which have local character and historic interest, although they do not merit formal conservation area status.
Areas of Special Residential Character (ASRC)
Residential areas identified by virtue of their individual character where specific development control guidelines apply.
Article 4 Direction
Removes permitted development rights contained within the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 on the grounds that to exercise these rights would have an adverse effect on the character of the area.
Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land
Land graded 1, 2 or 3a in DEFRA's Agricultural Land Classification system. This land is the most productive and supports the widest range of crops.
Building Grain
The pattern of development determined by plot size and building form. In essence, they way in which people, activities, landuses, buildings and spaces are mixed together.
Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL)
A new high speed railway between St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel, authorised by the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act, 1996. The Link will be opened in two sections - initially from the Channel Tunnel to the existing Railtrack network near Longfield (currently under construction and due to open in 2003) and subsequently beneath the Thames to St Pancras (currently under construction and due to open in 2007).
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
A CAP is a European Community mechanism that is intended to stabilise agricultural markets, assure the availability of food supplies and guarantee stable and reasonable prices for consumers and producers across the countries of the European Union. The CAP is currently subject to substantial and radical change.
Community Woodland
Woodland to which the public has free access for informal recreation.
Comparison Shopping
Shopping for high value, non-food products and goods such as clothing, footwear, books, jewellery and furniture, for which the consumer generally expects to invest time and effort into visiting a range of shops before making a choice.
Conservation Areas
Areas designated by local planning authorities as areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Additional planning controls exist in such areas.
Convenience Shopping
Shopping for goods such as food, newspaper and drinks that tend to be purchased regularly.
Countryside Agency
The Countryside Agency is the government's advisor on rural issues, including planning matters. The Agency, established in April 1999, took over these functions from the Countryside Commission and the Rural Development Commission.
De minimis
This term defines instances where the change proposed is of such insignificance that it is to all practical purposes negligible and not therefore defined as change for the purposes of planning legislation.
Density
The amount of residential accommodation (measured in dwellings per hectare) in any given area. References in the Local Plan to residential density should be taken to mean "net site density". This will include access roads within the site, private garden space, car parking areas, incidental open space and landscaping and children's play areas, where these are to be provided. It therefore excludes major distributor roads, primary schools, open spaces serving a wider area and significant landscape buffer strips.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
DEFRA is the Government Ministry responsible for three main business streams - environmental protection, food, farming and fisheries, and rural affairs. Within this area of responsibility, DEFRA is also concerned with the key cross-cutting issues of the promotion of sustainable development, leading the renewal of rural areas and providing an efficient, competitive and sustainable food chain.
Development
Defined in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (section 55) as "The carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations, in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any buildings or other land."
Development Plan
A number of statutory documents which together provide the planning policies for any particular area. For Dartford it currently comprises the Kent Structure Plan, Kent Waste Local Plan, Kent Minerals Local Plan and the Adopted Borough of Dartford Local Plan.
Dual Use
The opening up, for example, of recreational facilities, such as those at schools, to the public.
Employment Land
Land designated in the Local Plan for business-related development as defined in Class B of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987.
English Heritage
English Heritage is the Government's advisor on urban conservation, including Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Archaeology and Ancient Monuments, and related planning policy.
English Nature
English Nature, formally the Nature Conservancy Council, is the Government's advisor on all aspects of nature conservation, including planning policy.
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is the Government's Agency responsible for pollution control, waste regulation, water resources, flood defence and recreation, conservation and navigation of inland waterways and is a statutory consultee in the development plan process. The Agency took over these functions from the National Rivers Authority (NRA), the waste regulation authorities and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution (HMIP).
Farm Diversification
The introduction of new uses onto farms, to support the continued viability of the agricultural unit, for example through the provision of holiday accommodation and farm shops.
Fastrack
A comprehensive, bus-based public transport system, centred on a network of dedicated "track" consisting of bus-only roads, on-street bus lanes and priority at junctions.
Fluvial Flood Plain
Area liable to flooding by a river on average once every one hundred years, or the worst recorded instance of a river's flood. See also Tidal Inundation.
Footprint
The aggregate ground floor area of an existing building(s), excluding temporary buildings, open spaces with direct external access between wings of a building(s), and areas of hardstanding.
Frontage
See Primary Shopping Frontage and Secondary Shopping Frontage.
Green Grid
An interlinking network of multi-purpose, attractive public open spaces, green corridors and footpaths and landscape designed to join the main open areas with river frontages and link with both existing and new communities.
Habitable Room
A room within a dwelling the primary purpose of which is for living, sleeping or dining.
Household
One person living alone; a family; or a group of people living at the same address and sharing the same domestic facilities.
Infilling
The completion of an otherwise substantially built up frontage by the filling of a narrow gap capable usually of taking one or two dwellings only.
Kent Countryside Strategy
A document published by Kent County Council, which seeks to integrate and promote action on the ground by the public, private and voluntary sectors in partnership with farmers, landowners and local communities. It provides a basis for establishing priorities, programmes and collaboration between agencies to achieve countryside objectives.
Kent Minerals Local Plan
Prepared by the County Council and setting out policies to provide for the supply of minerals.
Kent Structure Plan
Prepared by Kent County Council, the Structure Plan sets out the strategic planning policies for the whole county. The Kent Structure Plan was adopted in December 1996, following an Examination in Public.
Kent Thameside (Area)
Defined in the Thames Gateway Planning Framework (RPG9a) as the Boroughs of Dartford and Gravesham north of the A2.
Kent Thameside (Organisation)
Kent Thameside was set up in 1993 to help foster the regeneration of the area of Dartford and Gravesham north of the A2. It is an informal grouping, bringing together representatives of Dartford and Gravesham Borough Councils, Kent County Council, Whitecliff Properties (a joint venture between Blue Circle, by far the largest owner of potentially developable land in the area, and Lend Lease), The University of Greenwich and London & Continental Railways.
Kent Wildlife Trust
A voluntary sector wildlife trust registered as a charity, whose principal task is the identification of Sites of Nature Conservation Interest throughout Kent.
Kent Waste Local Plan
Prepared by the County Council and containing policies in respect of development that involves the depositing of refuse or waste material.
Legal Agreement or Section 106 Agreement
A formal agreement made under seal, whereby an applicant may covenant with the local authority to act in a particular way in connection with a proposed development. The agreement can contain provisions for the developer to carry out, or contribute towards, specific additional works (e.g. a new road) which may be necessary before a development can be implemented. Section 106 refers to the section in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Listed Building
Listed buildings are buildings included in a schedule compiled by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport of architectural or historic interest. Special planning powers apply to such buildings.
Local Nature Reserve
Areas considered by English Nature as being habitats of regional or local significance, which make a contribution both to nature conservation and to opportunities for the public to learn about and enjoy wildlife. These areas are declared and managed by the local authority.
Local Transport Plan
Document submitted by Kent County Council to the Department of the Environment, Transport & the Regions for the allocation of resources for local transport capital expenditure over a five year period. The Local Transport Plan replaced the Transport Policies and Programme system from July 1999.
Main River
Main rivers are designated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). They are defined as a watercourse shown as such on a main river map, and include any structure or appliance for controlling or regulating the flow of water in, into or out of the main river. The Environment Agency has powers to access and carry out flood defence works along designated main rivers.
Masterplan
Masterplanning is usually undertaken as an intermediate stage between policy allocation in a local plan and the submission of a detailed planning application. It most often includes the preparation of illustrative material (a spatial guide or physical parameters) for the development of a specific site or area.
Metropolitan Green Belt
An area of open country encircling Greater London and extending into the Home Counties in which development is strictly controlled, giving definition to the built-up area and limiting urban sprawl.
Mixed-Use Urban Villages
A development form that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable. Its key characteristics are compactness, a mixture of uses and dwelling types, high standards of urban design, access to public open space and green spaces and ready access to public transport.
National Nature Reserve (NNR)
Areas of national or international importance, which are owned or leased by English Nature or a body approved by them, or managed in accord with Nature Reserve Agreements.
Neighbourhood Centres
Centres with a range of facilities including shops, post office, schools and other community facilities within a defined area and accessible by foot, bicycle and public transport.
Planning Brief
A document normally prepared by the Council to formulate its proposals for a site and publicise its requirements for development prior to detailed proposals being drawn up or planning applications being submitted. The Planning Brief is usually published for public consultation before a decision is made on the future use and development of site.
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)
The ODPM is the Government Department responsible for, amongst other things, environmental and land use policy. It also advises local planning authorities on planning policy through Planning Policy Guidance Notes.
Planning Inspectorate
The Planning Inspectorate (an agency of the ODPM) also provides an independent inspector for any Local Plan Inquiry following the Deposit Draft of a Plan. This inspector then makes recommendations to the local planning authority about the policies and proposals in the plan.
Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG)
Planning Policy Guidance Notes are issued by the ODPM and each relates to a particular aspect of planning policy (for example; PPG2 relates to Green Belts). They provide the national guidance to which Local Plan policies should conform, and thus many of these PPG's are referred to in this Plan.
"Poor Neighbour" Industries
Industries and activities that can, by their very nature, be a source of localised environmental problem and nuisance. These uses can include activities such as paint spraying including re-spraying motor vehicles, scrap yards and waste transfer.
Primary Shopping Frontage
The most important shopping area of a town, usually characterised by having the highest rents and pedestrian flow, where development on ground floors is primarily restricted to retailing.
Public Art
Any art sited within the public realm, including art within public buildings, hard and soft landscape, street furniture and lighting, as well as statues, abstract sculpture and murals.
Public Open Space
Land, such as parks and playing fields to which the public has free, unrestricted access.
Public Transport Orientated Development
Development that allows as many people as possible to live as close as possible to public transport routes. The services and facilities they require to meet their day to day needs are focused on public transport nodes and routes.
Regional Planning Guidance (RPG)
Regional Planning Guidance, issued by the ODPM, are statements of Government Planning Policy in relation to specific regions or sub-regions. This guidance provides a framework for the preparation of Local and Structure Plans.
Renewable Energy
Energy flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment, such as wind, solar, geo-thermal and water power. It can also involve the use of combustible or digestible waste.
Safeguarding
This term has a particular legal standing in the context of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link as land is statutorily safeguarded along the entire length of the proposed route. The term is also used elsewhere in the local plan and generally means "allocated", "reserved" or "set aside" for a particular use.
Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM)
Buildings or structures of historic, architectural, artistic or archaeological importance which are recognised as being of national importance, and included on a schedule maintained by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport as advised by English Heritage.
Secondary Shopping Frontage
Shopping area of secondary importance where it is desirable to restrict the use of ground floors to retailing, financial and professional services and food and drink.
Section 106 Agreement
See Legal Agreement.
South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA)
SEERA is the Regional body constituted by all the local planning authorities in the south east. It provides regional planning guidance for the benefit of local planning authorities.
Sheltered Housing
Housing for the elderly or people with disabilities who require a degree of support or assistance in their normal daily lives (usually provided with a resident warden).
Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI)
SNCIs are identified by the Kent Wildlife Trust as sites of nature conservation importance within Kent. Unlike SSSIs, these are not statutory, but form an integral part of the formulation of planning policy relating to nature conservation issues.
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
SSSIs are designated by English Nature under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and consist of areas that are important in the national context for their flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features.
Special Landscape Areas
Landscapes of countywide importance, designated in the Kent Structure Plan, where priority is given to the enhancement and conservation of natural beauty and scenic quality.
Sui Generis
Uses which do not fall into specific classes. These include theatres, amusement arcades, launderettes and dry cleaners, petrol filling stations, car showrooms, taxi and vehicle hire businesses and scrapyards.
Supplementary Planning Guidance
Additional planning guidance which elaborates, in greater detail, upon a particular aspect of the development plan. The public are consulted before the Council adopts any such guidance. Currently, the Council has adopted guidance covering the following matters:
roof extensions
horse policy
shop front alterations
conservation area appraisals
planning briefs, for;
North Dartford
Ingress Park and Empire Mill
Ebbsfleet
Land South of Watling Street
The Council intends to publish appraisals for areas of special character and areas of special residential character, planning briefs for the other major development sites, and detailed guidance on the Green Grid.
Sustainable Development
A concept defined by the Bruntland Commission (1987) as "development which meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to achieve their needs and aspirations".
Thames Gateway
A sub-region within the South East Planning Region, (formerly known as the East Thames Corridor) covering both sides of the Thames from Inner London to Tilbury in Essex and the Isle of Sheppey in Kent which has been identified as an area requiring significant regeneration, investment and improvement.
The Thames Gateway Planning Framework (RPG9a)
Sub-regional planning guidance produced as supplementary guidance to the Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9), relating to the Thames Gateway area.
The Town and Country Planning Act 1990
The principal legislation governing land use planning.
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995
A Statutory Instrument approved by Parliament that sets out details of development which does not require planning permission from the local planning authority.
The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987
A Statutory Instrument approved by Parliament that, as amended, specifies certain changes of use of buildings or other land that do not need planning permission. The following use classes are most frequently referred to:
A1 Shops
Shops, post offices, travel agents, hairdressers, funeral directors and dry cleaners.
A2 Financial and Professional Services
Banks, building societies, betting offices and other financial and professional services.
A3 Food and Drink
Pubs, restaurants, cafes and hot food take-aways.
B1 Business
General offices (other than those uses within Class A2), light industry and research and development.
B2 General Industrial Processes
B8 Storage or Distribution
C1 Hotels
Hotels, boarding and guest houses where no significant element of care is provided.
C2 Residential Institutions
Residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres.
C3 Dwelling Houses
Family houses, or houses occupied by up to six persons living together as a single household, including a household where care is provided for residents.
D1 Non-Residential Institutions
Surgeries, crèche, nurseries, day centres, schools, museums, libraries, exhibition halls and churches.
D2 Assembly and Leisure
Cinemas, concert halls, bingo and dance halls, casinos, swimming baths, skating rinks, gymnasiums and sports arenas (but not involving motor sports or firearms).
(For further details, please refer to the full Order).
Tidal Inundation
Area with a theoretical risk of tidal flooding, notionally once every thousand years. See also Fluvial Flood Plain.
Town Centre
An area where mixed commercial uses predominate, providing a broad range of facilities and services which fulfil a function as a focus for the community and public transport.
Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
Statutory protection for trees, groups of trees or woodlands prohibiting their cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage or destruction without the planning authority's approval.
Urban Fringe
Areas of countryside immediately beyond the edge of the built-up area prone to speculative development pressures, trespass from the urban area, vandalism and the dumping of rubbish.
Urban Renaissance
Improving the quality of urban life and public perceptions of towns not only through physical renewal of the built environment, but also by achieving greater social cohesion through the creation of more balanced communities, and by economic regeneration.
Village Confines
The geographical definition, for policy purposes, of the built-up extent of villages (see Kent Structure Plan paragraph 12.5), within which minor residential development may be acceptable on suitable sites.
Walkable Neighbourhoods
Areas that are not sufficiently large to accommodate an urban village but which should nevertheless encompass similar principles (see Mixed-Use Urban Villages) and a public realm which is safe and well cared for to encourage people to walk. Good quality footways, well-connected and overlooked by houses and other buildings are key requirements.
Washlands
Effectively these are the functional flood plains, in other words, those unobstructed or active areas where water regularly flows in times of flood.
Windfall Site
A site unexpectedly becoming available for development that has not been identified within the Local Plan process. Examples can include residential conversions or redevelopment sites from factory closures.
