017 glossary - jan 2007 - city of westminster

Glossary

City of Westminster Unitary Development Plan adopted 24 January 2007597

GLOSSARY

This section contains words, phrases and names of organisations that are usedin the plan or are relevant to the planning process. The glossary is not intendedto be an exhaustive list of all land-use planning terms or a substitute for properlegal or professional planning and urban design advice. Text which is underlinedcan be found as an entry elsewhere in the glossary.

A

A1 Use Class (Shops)Use of premises for the retail sale ofgoods and services, other than hotfood or drink, to visiting members ofthe public, as described in the UseClasses Order 1987, as amended.

A2 Use Class (Financial andprofessional services)Use of premises for the provision offinancial or professional services, orany other service, including a bettingoffice, which it is appropriate toprovide in a shopping area, where theservice is provided principally forvisiting members of the public, asdescribed in the Use Classes Order1987, as amended.

A3 Use Class (Restaurants andcafés)Use of premises for the sale of foodand drink for consumption on thepremises, as described in the UseClasses Order 1987, as amended.

A4 Use Class (Drinkingestablishment)Use of premises as a public house,wine bar or other drinkingestablishment, as described in theUse Classes Order 1987, asamended.

A5 Use Class (Hot food takeaway)Use of premises for the sale of hotfood for consumption off thepremises, as described in the UseClasses Order 1987, as amended.

AccessibilityThe ability of all people, includingelderly and disabled people, thosewith young children and thosecarrying luggage and shopping, toreach places and facilities.

AdvertisementAny word, letter, model, sign, placard,board, notice, awning, blind, deviceor representation, whether illuminatedor not, employed for the purposes ofadvertisement, announcement ordirection, whose control is providedfor in the Control of AdvertisementRegulations 1992, as amended.

Affordable housingSubsidised housing at below marketprices or rents intended for thosehouseholds who cannot affordhousing at market rates. Theaccommodation is usually managedby a registered social landlord.

Agenda 21An action plan for the twenty-firstcentury approved by more than 150nations at the ‘Earth Summit’ in Riode Janeiro in 1992. The plan expectsgovernments to work towardssustainable development inpartnership with local authorities,businesses, the voluntary sector andlocal communities.

Air Quality Strategy and ActionPlan 2001Strategy and Action Plan setting outthe City Council’s proposed actionsover the five years to 2006 to improveair quality and meet nationalstandards in Westminster.

AlterationsChanges to a building that modify itscharacter and appearance.

Ambient noiseThe Mayor of London’s AmbientNoise Strategy 2004 draws attentionto the definition in the GreaterLondon Authority Act 1999 that

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ambient noise comprises noise,including vibration, related totransport, including road traffic, railtraffic, aircraft and water transport;and noise of such other descriptionsas the Mayor may consider itappropriate to include in the mattersdealt with by the London ambientnoise strategy. The Mayor’s strategyadds to the definition of ambientnoise that from fixed industrialsources. The strategy draws adistinction between this andneighbourhood noise, such as thatfrom household appliances,television, music systems, noisy pets,do-it-yourself activities, constructionsites, intruder alarms, parties orsimilar gatherings.

AmenityPleasant or advantageous featuresenjoyed by a property or occupier,which can be affected by certaindevelopment proposals.Development can improve amenity aswell as harm it.

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)This report highlights the Council’sachievements and progress indelivering its key planning policyobjectives over a 2 year period.

Ancillary useA use which is incidental to theprincipal use of premises. Forexample, shops often havefloorspace not accessible tocustomers which is used for storinggoods for sale.

Apart-hotelHotel with self-contained units ratherthan rooms, serving both businessvisitors and tourists. Theaccommodation is usually providedon a self-catering basis with norestaurant or room service provided.They are usually without publicrooms, function rooms or otherfacilities that attract non-residents.

AppealA notice to the Secretary of Statewhich may be made by an applicantwhere a proposal has been refusedpermission by a local planningauthority; where a permission hasbeen granted subject to conditionswhich the applicant findsunacceptable; or where the authorityhas not reached a decision within theappropriate period. Appeals may bedealt with by written representations,by an informal hearing or by a localpublic inquiry.

AppearanceThe look, aspect and visual characterof a building, area or city.

Archaeological remainsMaterials found above or belowground whose systematic study orpreservation will help to improveunderstanding of the history of thelocality and of people who lived thereor visited it in the past. InWestminster, such remains can be ofnational as well as local significance.

Architectural inheritanceThe valuable buildings andtownscape left to us by previousgenerations.

Architectural qualityThe intrinsic merit of a building asmeasured by the use of materials,details, style and relationship tocontext.

Architectural styleDistinctive period or school ofarchitecture. Examples includeGeorgian, Victorian, Edwardian,Twentieth Century, Gothic, Regency,Neo-classical, Queen Anne Revival,and so on.

Article 4 DirectionThe General Permitted DevelopmentOrder 1990, as amended, grantsgeneral permission for a variety offorms of minor development, mainlyminor works and changes of use,known as ‘permitted development’.Article 4 of the order enables local

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planning authorities to make adirection which removes the ‘right’ tocarry out permitted development orparticular class or classes of thatdevelopment in a specified area.

Article 14 DirectionA direction given by the Secretary ofState under Article 14 of the GeneralDevelopment Procedure Order 1995,delaying or restricting the grant ofplanning permission by a localplanning authority, in respect of aspecific development or class ofdevelopment. The power is used fromtime to time to enable the Secretaryof State to decide whether to ‘call-in’an application for determinationhimself.

Aspect ratioThe ratio of overall height to averagewidth of a high building

B

B1 Use Class (Business)Use of premises for office purposes,other than Use Class A2 above, forresearch and development ofproducts or processes; or for a lightindustrial process which can becarried out in any residential areawithout detriment to the amenity ofthat area, as described in the UseClasses Order 1987, as amended.

B2 Use Class (General Industrial)Use of premises for the carrying on ofan industrial process, other than onefalling within Use Class B1, asdescribed in the Use Classes Order1987, as amended.

B8 Use Class (Storage ordistribution)Use of premises for storage or as adistribution centre, as described inthe Use Classes Order 1987, asamended.

BiodiversityThe diversity, or variety of plants,animals and other living things in aparticular locality. It encompasseshabitat diversity, species diversityand genetic diversity. Arising from a

belief that biodiversity is of value in itsown right and has social andeconomic value for human society,international treaties and nationalplanning policy expect localdevelopment plans to identify andprotect a hierarchy of existing areasof biodiversity importance and toprovide for the creation of new priorityhabitats.

Building lineThe line formed by the frontages ofbuildings along a street.

Building materialsMaterials prevalent in an area whichshould inform the choice of materialsfor repairs to historic buildings andthe facing of new buildings. InWestminster typical materials arePortland Stone; yellow London Stockbricks; soft red bricks, terracotta,natural Welsh slates, lead and castiron.

Building RegulationsRegulations dealing with design andconstruction of buildings, and theirservices, fittings and equipmentmade by the Secretary of State underthe Building Act 1984. The purpose ofthe regulations is to secure thehealth, safety, welfare andconvenience of the users of buildings;further the conservation of fuel andpower; and to prevent waste, undueconsumption, misuse orcontamination of water.

Building Research Establishment(BRE)Independent research, consultancyand testing organisation, owned byBRE Trust, a registered charity. Itsmain activities include providinginformation about constructionmaterials, building environments, fireand risk and certification of products.

Building Research EstablishmentEnvironmental AssessmentMethod (BREEAM)A method developed by the BREwhich owners and users of buildingscan use to work out cost-effective

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ways of conserving energy and otherenvironmental impacts, such as onwater and waste, in the running ofpremises .

BulkThe combined effect of volume andshape of a building or group ofbuildings. Also called massing.

Business Improvement District(BID)Area defined under Part 4 of theLocal Government Act 2003 wherebusinesses, through a partnershiparrangement, contribute by means ofan annual levy over a period of up tofive years, to provide funds to secureenvironmental improvements, toenhance local services such as streetcleaning, and to carry out economicdevelopment activities within thatarea.

C

C1 Use Class (Hotels)Use of premises as an hotel or as aboarding or guest house, where nosignificant element of care isprovided, as described in the UseClasses Order 1987, as amended.The use class does not includehostels.

C2 Use Class (Residentialinstitutions)Use of premises for the provision ofresidential accommodation and careto people in need of care; or as ahospital or nursing home; or as aresidential school, college or trainingcentre, as described in the UseClasses Order 1987, as amended.

C3 Use Class (Dwelling houses)Use of premises as a ‘dwelling house’by a single person or by people livingtogether as a family; or by not morethan six people living together as asingle household, as described in theUse Classes Order 1987, asamended.

‘Call in’Part III of the Town and CountryPlanning Act 1990 provides for theSecretary of State to direct localplanning authorities to notify him ofthe receipt of planning applicationsfor particular classes of development,and to direct local planningauthorities to refer specificapplications to him for decision. Thecriteria used by the Secretary of Stateto call in applications are set out inThe Planning System: GeneralPrinciples, published by ODPM in2005.

Cellular buildingBuilding, usually eighteenth century,of a traditional construction wherebythe interior form, scale and structureis clearly reflected in the exterior.

Central Activities Zone (CAZ)Area described in Chapter 1 andshown on the Proposals Map werethe City Council envisages themaintenance or growth of CentralLondon Activities.

Central Activities Zone FrontagesFrontages described in Chapter 1and shown on the Proposals Mapwere the City Council envisages themaintenance or growth of CentralLondon Activities.

Central London ActivitiesActivities appropriate to the CentralActivities Zone and CAZ Frontages,as described in Chapter 1:Westminster’s Central Area,including Tables 1.1 and 1.2.

Central London Coach StrategyA strategy agreed by the CityCouncil, the City of London, theRoyal Borough of Kensington andChelsea and the boroughs ofCamden, Lambeth, Southwark andWandsworth seeking a commonapproach to managing coaches inCentral London.

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Central Statistical AreaArea of Central London defined bythe Office for National Statistics.Broadly speaking, it comprises thearea within a line joining the main-linerailway termini.

Central WestminsterUnless otherwise defined, the areacomprising the Central ActivitiesZone and the Central Activities Zonefrontages, as provided for in Chapter1 of this plan.

CentreA designated shopping area.

Certificate of lawfulness ofexisting use or development(CLEUD)A certificate issued by a localplanning authority confirming thelawfulness of an existing use orworks that have already been carriedout. Generally works and uses arelawful if they have the benefit ofplanning permission or if they do notrequire permission. Uses may alsobecome lawful if they have beencarried on for over ten years withoutplanning permission or works if theyhave been completed for four years,provided enforcement action has notbeen taken. Applications for thecertificate are made to a localplanning authority which is requiredto determine them having regard onlyto matters of fact and law, withoutregard to planning merits of thedevelopment carried out. Applicationsmay be granted, refused andappealed in a similar way to aplanning application.

Certificate of lawfulness ofproposed use or development(CLOPUD)A certificate similar to CLEUD. Seeabove) but relating to proposed useor works.

Change of UsePlanning permission is required for achange of use unless it falls withinthe same use class (for example,from a bookshop to a shoe shop) or itis allowed by the GPDO (for example,from a restaurant to a bookshop).

CharacterThe distinctive or typical quality of abuilding or area, as described byhistoric fabric; appearance;townscape; and land uses.

CircularPublication issued by the Secretary ofState explaining procedural mattersand legislation.

Code of Construction PracticeA code of practice setting outenvironmental standards andconstruction procedures.

Commercial useUse including offices, industry,warehousing, showrooms, hotels,retail, entertainment and privateeducational, health and leisurefacilities, other than social andcommunity uses that are principallyprovided by the public sector. Thisdoes not include residential use.

Commuted sumA payment made in accordance witha planning agreement, by adeveloper towards the provision of,for example, affordable housing.

Comparison shopShop selling goods and serviceswhich customers may wish tocompare prices/quality/type ofproduct sold, with other similarproducts sold in other shops. Theseare mainly shops which fall within inA1 Use Class, but outside thecategory of ‘local convenience shop’referred to in paragraph 7.15 of theShopping and Services chapter.

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Compulsory purchasePower given to local planningauthorities in s226 of the Town andCountry Planning Act 1990, asamended by the Planning andCompulsory Purchase Act 2004 topurchase land by means of aCompulsory Purchase Order (CPO)to secure the promotion orimprovement of the economic, socialor environmental well being of theirareas. The power might be used, forexample, to assemble a site for anew development. Listed buildingslegislation includes a similar powerallowing for the compulsoryacquisition of a listed building in needof repair. Compulsory PurchaseOrders made by local authorities are,in most instances, subject toconfirmation by the Secretary ofState, and compensation isdetermined by provisions in the LandCompensation Acts.

Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)See compulsory purchase (above).

ConditionsA restriction or qualification imposedwhen planning permission or otherconsent is granted under thePlanning Acts. Conditions arerequired in law to be necessary,relevant to planning, directly relatedto the development to be permitted,enforceable, precise, and reasonablein all other respects.

ConservationThe retention, repair, reinstatement,enhancement, adaptation, sensitivedevelopment, appropriate reuse andevolution of historic buildings andareas. The careful management ofchange to historic assets.

Conservation AreaAn area of special architectural orhistoric interest designated by thelocal planning authority under theprovisions of the Planning (ListedBuildings and Conservation Areas)Act 1990, the character orappearance of which it is desirable topreserve or enhance.

Conservation Area appraisalWritten appraisal of the character andappearance of a particularconservation area, which defines andanalyses the special interest of thatarea and provides the local policyframework for development controldecisions in respect of its characteror appearance.

Conservation Area AuditThe third stage of the City Council'sappraisal programme. The Auditprovides the detailed assessment ofthe character and appearance of anarea, the analysis and appraisal ofkey features and the adoption of localpolicies designed to preserve and / orenhance these features. Suchfeatures include unlisted buildings ofinterest; spaces and townscape;materials; uses; buildings where roofextensions are inappropriate;important local views; etc.

Conservation Area directoryThe second stage of the CityCouncil’s appraisal process. Thedirectory develops the categories inthe general information leaflet into adetailed source of factual informationproviding copies of originaldesignation reports; detailed analysisof the historical development of anarea; archaeology; analysis anddistribution of listed buildings;topography etc.

Conservation Area leafletThe first stage of the City Council’sconservation area appraisal process.Provides a brief introduction to aconservation area identifying anddescribing each area includingdesignation, boundaries; historicalbackground; listed buildings and keyfeatures.

Considerate Builders SchemeScheme operated by the City Councilto promote high standards of amenityon all building sites in the city througha code of good practice. which seeksto secure building sites are well-maintained, quiet, clean, tidy and

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safe and operated in a responsibleand accountable manner.

Contaminated LandLand which appears to the localauthority to be in a condition,because of substances in, on orunder it, that significant harm is beingcaused or there is a significantpossibility of such harm beingcaused; or pollution of controlledwaters is being, or is likely to be,caused. The City Council hasprepared a strategy for dealing withcontaminated land within its area.

Contemporary architectureModern architecture displaying thefashion, technologies and use ofmaterials that are representative of itstime.

ContextThe setting of a building, site or areaincluding such factors as plot widthpattern, building height and scale,building line, pattern of elevationsand fenestration, building materials,land uses and activities.

Convenience shopPremises selling basic goods orservices which people may need touse on a weekly, if not daily, basis.Paragraph 7.15 in the Shopping andServices chapter lists shops whichare considered to be convenienceshops.

ConversionThe carrying out of works changingthe use of premises from a singledwelling house to two or moreresidential units, usually flats. Section55 of the Town and Country PlanningAct 1990 provides that such work is amaterial change of use, thus requiringplanning permission. Permission isnot normally required to convert twoor more housing units back into asingle unit.

Core FrontageFrontage in a shopping centre wherea high proportion of premises atstreet level are in shop use. These

are identified in the seven DistrictCentres and also within some LocalCentres. (See policies SS 6 and SS7, and maps for the District and LocalCentres)

Countryside AgencyPublic body established in 1999whose purposes include thepreservation and enhancement ofareas of natural beauty in Englandand encouraging the use of thecountryside for open air recreation.

CoversThe number of individual placesettings in a restaurant or café, thusgiving an indication of the number ofpeople who can sit down to eat at anyone time.

CrèchePremises where occasional part timechildcare is provided: for example ina sports centre, supermarket ortraining centre.

Crime and Disorder ReductionStrategyPlan prepared by the SaferWestminster Partnership under theCrime and Disorder Act 1998 settingout priorities for tackling crime andnuisance in the city. The latest plancovers the period 2005-2008.

Crossrail 1Rail link, originally proposed in theCentral London Rail Study of 1989,safeguarded by the Secretary ofState since 1991. The line isproposed to follow an east-westalignment across Central Londonbetween Paddington andWhitechapel serving HeathrowAirport, Isle of Dogs and Stratford.See also Chapter 4: Transport andthe Proposals Map.

Crossrail 2Rail link, crossing Central Londonfrom Hackney to South-West Londonoriginally proposed in the CentralLondon Rail Study of 1989 andsafeguarded by the Secretary ofState in 1991. The precise route, the

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character and the role of the link havenot yet been fully assessed. See alsoChapter 4: Transport and theProposals Map. (The proposal hasalso been known as the Hackney-Southwest Line and the Chelsea-Hackney Line in the past.)

Cross River PartnershipA partnership organisationestablished in 1995 to secure theeconomic regeneration of areas inWestminster, the City of London,Lambeth and Southwark, on bothsides of the River Thames betweenVauxhall Bridge and Tower Bridge.

CurtilageLand adjoining a building which isused together with that building.

D

D1 Use Class (Non-residentialinstitutions)Use of premises, not including aresidential use, for institutionalpurposes such as medical or heathcentre; creche, day nursery or daycentre; school or college; art gallery,museum, public library; public orexhibition hall; or place of worship orreligious instruction, as described inthe Use Classes Order 1987, asamended.

D2 Use Class (Assembly orleisure)Use of premises as a cinema, concerthall, dance hall, swimming bath,skating rink, gymnasium, or area forother sports or recreations, asdescribed in the Use Classes Order1987, as amended.

Dead frontageFrontage in a shopping area whichgenerates a low level of shoppingactivity because of the use orappearance of the premisesconcerned.

Delegated powerThe power conferred on a localauthority in the Local Government Act1972 to arrange for the discharge ofany of its functions by an officer of

the authority. In the case of planning,this generally involves the delegationto an officer or officers the power todetermine minor applications or toissue planning permissions once aplanning agreement has beencompleted.

DemolitionThe pulling down or breaking up of allor part of a building. Listed buildingconsent is needed for demolition oflisted buildings. Conservation areaconsent is required for substantialdemolition in a conservation area.Planning permission must beobtained for the demolition of a housewhich is structurally connected toanother. In other cases, notice mustbe given to the City Council as localplanning authority before demolitionis started. Planning permission maybe required for the demolition of partof a building.

DensityA measure of the number of units ofaccommodation or amount offloorspace in a development againstthe area of the site it occupies.Residential density is generallycalculated by comparing the numberof habitable rooms in a developmentwith the area of the site concernedand is usually expressed in habitablerooms per hectare.

Department for Communities andLocal Government (DCLG)Government department, establishedin 2006, responsible for communitycohesion and equality, for housing,urban regeneration, planning andlocal government.

Department for the Environment,Food and Regional Affairs(DEFRA)Government department responsiblefor animal health and welfare,environmental protection, farming,marine issues and fisheries, food anddrink, horticulture, rural affairs,wildlife and the countryside.

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Department for Transport (DfT)Government department responsiblefor aviation, buses and local transportpolicy, cycling, freight policy, roadsand vehicles, railways, shipping andports, transport security and safety.The roles of the DfT where originallymanaged by the Department forTransport Local Government andRegions.

Department of Culture, Media andSport (DCMS)Government department responsiblefor arts, broadcasting, cultural andsporting activities, the creativeindustries, the historic environment,gambling, libraries museums and artgalleries. Its Secretary of State hasvarious powers under the Planning(Listed Buildings and ConservationAreas) Act 1990.

Detailed planning permissionPlanning permission with no mattersreserved for further approval.

DetailsDoors, windows, cornices, metalworkand decorative features thatcontribute to the overall design of abuilding. Where such detailscumulatively characterise a placethey are major contributors to asense of local distinctiveness.

DevelopmentThe carrying out of building,engineering, mining or otheroperations in, on, over or under theland; or the making of any materialchange in the use of any buildings orother land, as defined in the Townand County Planning Act 1990 asamended. Unless it is defined underthe Act as ‘permitted development’,planning permission is required forthe carrying out of any developmentof land.

Development PlanUnder the Planning and CompulsoryPurchase Act 2004, in GreaterLondon the development plancomprises the spatial developmentstrategy prepared by the Mayor of

London (known as the London Plan)and until they are replaced bydevelopment plan documentsprepared under that Act, the unitarydevelopment plans prepared by theLondon Boroughs. If regard is to behad to the development plan for thepurpose of any determination to bemade under the Planning Acts thedetermination must be made inaccordance with the plan, unlessmaterial considerations indicateotherwise.

Diplomatic and allied useUse of premises for purposes suchas an embassy, legation, consulate,high commission or other diplomaticoffice and associated administrativepremises, including trade, medicaland other attachés, where theprincipal activity relates to theconduct of relations between nations.

Disability Discrimination Act 1995Legislation seeking to limit the extentof discrimination against disabledpeople in respect of employment andpensions; goods, facilities andservices; education; and publictransport. Under the Act serviceproviders have a duty to makereasonable adjustments to thephysical features of their premises toovercome barriers to their access anduse by disabled people.

Disabled personUnless otherwise stated, this meansin this plan, a person who has animpairment which limits their ability towalk or which requires them to use awheelchair for mobility, or impairedhearing or sight. The DisabilityDiscrimination Act 1995 has a widerdefinition of a disabled person as aperson who has a physical or mentalimpairment which has a substantialand long-term adverse effect on hisor her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

District Shopping CentreService centre, usually with up to onehundred commercial premises ofvarious kinds, with a predominantly

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retail function which the City Councilwishes to safeguard in accordancewith national and regional policy.These centres provide a range andlevel of services immediately belowthat provided by the major centresbut above that of Local Centres andare the focus for shopping and othertown centre activities in Westminster.See Chapter 7 which identifies sevencentres in the city.

Dormer windowTraditional form of window to befound projecting from a mansard orsimilar type of roof.

E

Edge of centreA location less than 200 metres fromthe core shopping area of a shoppingcentre.

ElevationA drawing of the façade of a building.

Enforcement noticeA legal notice issued by a localplanning authority where it believesthat there has been a breach ofplanning control, for example thecarrying out of unauthoriseddevelopment, requiring the breach tobe remedied. There is a right ofappeal to the Secretary of State.Failure to comply with the notice afterthe notice has been confirmed is acriminal offence.

Enforcement time limitsA local planning authority may nottake enforcement action four yearsafter the date on which works weresubstantially completed, or in thecase of change of use or breach ofcondition, ten years beginning on thedate of the breach (except in the caseof change of use to a single dwellinghouse – where the time limit is fouryears). Once these time limits haveexpired, an application for a CLEUDcan be made, to prove conclusivelythat the works or use have becomelawful – for example, to satisfy aninstitutional purchaser. Does not

apply to Listed Building EnforcementNotices.

English HeritagePublic body established by theNational Heritage Act 1983 as theHistoric Buildings and MonumentsCommission for England. Its dutiesinclude preserving and promotinginterest in ancient monuments andlisted buildings, promotingconservation areas, and the listing ofbuildings of special architectural orhistoric interest.

Entertainment UsesEntertainment uses comprise thefollowing: restaurants and cafes (A3);public houses and bars (A4);takeaways (A5); other entertainmentuses - nightclubs, live music anddance venues, discotheques,entertainment centres, dance halls,casino or bingo halls (some of thesefall within Use Class D2 (Assemblyand Leisure) and others are Sui-Generis). Entertainment uses do notinclude sports halls, swimming baths,gymnasiums, skating rinks, otherindoor and outdoor sports orrecreation areas, concert halls andcinemas.

Environment AgencyPublic body established by theEnvironment Act 1995. Its dutiesinclude the oversight of air and waterquality, pollution control and riverbasin management, flooding fromrivers and the sae, regulating wastedisposal and management, andcontaminated land.

Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA)Systematic identification andevaluation of the impacts from aproposed development prepared inaccordance with the EnvironmentalImpact Assessment (England andWales) Regulations 1999, asamended. The assessment isrequired for all projects that will havesignificant environmental effects.Further details are given in Circular

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02/99: Environment ImpactAssessment.

Environmental InspectorateCity Council inspectors operatingwithin the PSPA to agree routineworking arrangements for individualsites and ensure compliance with theCode of Construction Practice.

ExtensionAn addition to an existing building toprovide more floorspace, usuallyconfined to the side and rear of abuilding and/or at roof level.

Extensive developmentDevelopment that by its extensivescale covers most of a street block,possibly more, and where it ispossible to create new urbancompositions through the provision ofnew streets, squares and openspaces as well as a wide variety ofbuildings and uses

F

FaçadismDevelopment involving the demolitionof a building, with the exception ofone or more façades, and theconstruction of a new building behindthe retained façades.

Family sized housing unitSelf-contained housingaccommodation having three or morebedrooms.

FeesUnder s303 of the Town and CountryPlanning Act 1990, a fee is payablefor most applications made to localplanning authorities. The fees are setout in regulations, and from time totime revised, by the Secretary ofState, with larger developmentsgenerally attracting a larger paymentthan smaller proposals.

FenestrationThe arrangement of windows on afaçade.

FormThe layout (structure and urbangrain), density, scale (height andmassing), appearance (materials anddetails) of buildings anddevelopment.

Front basement areaThe open basement often found atthe front of traditional Londonterraced townhouses and surroundedby decorative cast iron railings. Thearea provides access to the under-pavement vaults.

Further educationEducation course provided for peopleover compulsory school age(currently 16 in England) which doesnot take place in a secondary school.It may be provided in a sixth-formcollege, a further education college ora higher education institution. Furthereducation courses are generally up tothe standard of GCE AdvancedLevel, or National VocationalQualification (NVQ) Level 3.

G

General ConformityThis plan, and under the newplanning system, all the CityCouncil’s local developmentdocuments must be in ‘generalconformity’ with the spatialdevelopment strategy for GreaterLondon, the ‘London Plan’, preparedby the Mayor of London. Paragraphs4.19 and 4.20 of PPS12: LocalDevelopment Frameworks givedetails of the meaning of ‘generalconformity’ in this connection.

General Development ProcedureOrder (GDPO)Regulations made by the Secretary ofState, amended from time to time,setting out the procedures to befollowed by local planning authoritiesin receiving, registering, notifying andadvertising, and determining planningapplications by local planningauthorities, and in the making ofappeals and other related matters.

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General Permitted DevelopmentOrder (GPDO)Regulations made by the Secretary ofState, amended from time to time,defining a wide range of minoroperations and changes of use whichconstitute development, but whichcan be carried out without obtainingspecific planning permission.

Government Office for London(GoL)Government organisation responsiblefor administering the delivery ofpolicies and programmes on behalf often Government departments in theLondon region. It works with a widerange of partner organisations topromote the Government’s policiesand help achieve its objectives. Itsresponsibilities include generaloversight of the planning system inthe London area.

‘Grampian’ conditionA condition imposed in granting aplanning permission preventing thestart of a development until off-siteworks have been completed on landnot controlled by the applicant.

Greater London AuthorityPublic authority established by theGreater London Authority Act 1999whose principal purposes arepromoting economic developmentand wealth creation, socialdevelopment and improvement of theenvironment in Greater London. Itcomprises a directly elected Mayorwith a wide range of executivefunctions and a separately electedAssembly body having broadlyscrutiny duties. The Mayor has broadstrategic powers in relation totransport, economic development,spatial development, biodiversity,municipal waste management, airquality, noise and culture. Theauthority’s ‘family’ of agencies includeTransport for London, theMetropolitan Police Authority, theLondon Fire and EmergencyPlanning Authority and the LondonDevelopment Agency, whosebudgets are set by the Mayor.

Green CorridorsAlmost continuous areas of openspace, which are linked and may notbe publicly accessible. They can actas conduits for plants and animals,and serve amenity landscape andaccess roles.

Greening strategyA formally approved Council strategy,updated annually, steeringsustainable city-wide landscapeplanning and issues of green spacedesign, management andmaintenance.

Gross floorspaceMethod of assessing the extent ofbuilding (or land) occupied by a use.This should be measured to includethe overall dimensions of the buildingon each floor both above and belowground, including the thickness of allinternal walls, half the thickness ofparty walls and the full thickness ofexternal walls. If a site covers morethan one property, party walls shouldbe measured as internal walls exceptthose party walls to properties notfalling within the site. Grossfloorspace should include all thefollowing:a stairs and lift shafts (to be

measured for each floor);b lobbies, corridors, reception

areas;c cloakrooms and toilets;d storage and roofed plant areas

(but see ‘k’ below);e kitchens, cafeterias etc;f operational voids e.g. for air

conditioning ducting (to bemeasured for each floor);

g vaults. Further information onGross floorspace is detailed onnext page.

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Gross floorspace continued.Gross floorspace should exclude allthe following:h voids in atria;i internal lightwells;j double or triple height areas

should be measured only oncee.g. conference halls, theatresetc;

k screened but unroofed plant areaor plant areas and otheroperational voids which are notreasonably capable ofcommercial or residential use;

l car parking space, loading/servicing bays and areasexclusively reserved for refusestorage.

In assessing entertainment usesagainst Policies TACE 8, TACE 9 andTACE 10, gross floorspace will betaken, in addition, to include openareas within the curtilage of thepremises, such as forecourts, whichare to be used for as the positioningof tables and chairs for customers’use. Such open areas will beexcluded from the calculation ofgross floorspace under PolicyCENT3.

H

Habitable rooms per hectare (hr/h)Formula used to calculate residentialdensity. Habitable rooms include allliving rooms, bedrooms and kitchensif they include dining space and aremore that 12.6 sq m (140 sq ft).Bathrooms, toilets, landing andlobbies are excluded. Site area iscalculated by including half the widthof the adjoining road(s) to amaximum of 6m (20 ft.). (See alsoparagraph 3.116 of Chapter 2:Housing.)

HardstandingArea generally formed by thedemolition of front boundary wallsand a front garden is paved orsurfaced, usually to provide off-streetparking.

Healthy Living CentreThe Healthy Living Centre initiativewas set up in 1999 by the NewOpportunities Fund, the lottery bodyset up under the National Lottery Act.The aim of these centres is topromote health, helping people of allages to maximise their health andwell being. They can involve not justbuildings but a programme ofactivities or a network of services.They can involve a broad range ofinterests (such as complementarytherapies, fitness and exerciseschemes and mental health services)not just mainstream primary careservices, and should engender jointworking and partnership.

Heathrow Express RailwayRailway service providing a fast,direct rail link between PaddingtonStation and Heathrow Airport.

HeightThe height of a building can beexpressed as a number of floors; orthe height to the parapet or roofridge; or the relative height in relationto adjoining buildings or landmarks.

HierarchyThe physical form of the city isorganised on a hierarchical basis –from the layout and relationship ofsquares, streets and mews; to thearrangement of buildings; and to theorder of elements within an individualbuilding. For example, the PortmanSquare area is organised with theSquare being the principal focus ofspace and grand buildings;secondary and tertiary buildings tostreets of equivalent status (i.e. BakerStreet and George Street) andservice buildings to mews (i.e. KendalPlace). The scale and grandeur ofbuildings reflects the plan – withimpressive five storey buildings to theSquare and simple two storeybuildings to mews. Each buildingwithin this hierarchy is also organisedon a hierarchical basis – withwindows of diminishing proportionreflecting the status and importanceof the floors and rooms behind.

Glossary


High buildingBuilding or structure that issignificantly higher than theirsurroundings. In Westminster, theurban context is generally low to mid-rise, characterised by buildings of upto six to eight storeys in height.

Higher educationEducation course generally above thestandard of GCE Advanced Level orNational Vocational QualificationLevel 3. They include degreecourses, postgraduate courses andHigher National Diplomas. Highereducation is provided in universitiesand higher education colleges, and insome further education colleges.

Historic fabricSurviving original and historic fabricin the form of buildings, theirstructure, details and decoration.

HostelA building providing residentialaccommodation, (otherwise than inseparate self-contained premises)often for a particular group of peopleand either board or facilities for thepreparation of food. Hostels normallyprovide temporary or short termaccommodation and occupants haveno rights of tenure.

House in multiple occupation(HMO)A building or part of a building,containing one or more units of livingaccommodation occupied bymembers of more than onehousehold, as defined in s254 of theHousing Act 2004. Houses in multipleoccupation are subject to licensing bythe local housing authority under theprovisions in Part 2 of that Act.

Housing CorporationPublic body originally established bythe Housing Act 1964, which is theprincipal funding source for fundingfor registered social landlordsthrough the payment of socialhousing grants, and is responsible fortheir regulation. The Corporationalso assists registered landlords in

carrying out other regenerationactivities.

Housing Strategy and InvestmentProgrammeThe annual statement of the CityCouncil’s housing objectives andfinancial bid to Central Government.

Human Rights Act 1998Legislation giving further effect to therights and freedoms guaranteedunder the European Convention onHuman Rights, which was ratified bythe government of the UnitedKingdom in 1951, and which cameinto force in 1953. The Act confersthe direct protection of English law inrelation to the Convention rights. Forthe purposes of the role of the localplanning authority, the main relevantprovisions are: Article 2 on the rightto life; Article 6 on the right to a fairtrial; Article 8 on the right to respectfor private and family life; Article 14on the prohibition of discrimination;and in the First Protocol, Article 1 onthe protection of property.

I

Inclusive designDesign of a development taking intoaccount the needs of all its possibleusers, regardless of their age, genderor disability. The approach seeks torecognise and to accommodatedifferences in the way people use thebuilt environment and to providesolutions that enable all its users toparticipate in mainstream activitiesequally, independently, with choiceand with dignity.

Indigenous materialsThe use of local materials in buildingsuch as London stock bricks and theuse of other natural materials fromtheir traditional sources, such asPortland stone and Welsh slate.

Glossary


Induction loopOne or more “turns” of insulatedcable laid around a meeting room orauditorium through which a current ispassed creating a magnetic field.This enables a person using ahearing aid to listen to sounds withoutundue distortion or background noise.

Infill developmentA type of development where a newbuilding is to be inserted into anexisting townscape context. Thecharacter of this context determinesthe nature of the architecturalresponse in terms of scale, form,elevational treatment, materials anddetails.

Informal HearingA way of considering a planningappeal, less formal than a publicinquiry, where an Inspectorencourages a discussion between thelocal planning authority, the applicant,appellant and any third parties.

Integrated nursery centrePremises which provide nurseryeducation and care and offer a rangeof additional services to youngchildren and their families.

Intensification of useAn increase in the amount of activitytaking place in a building or on anarea of land. In some instances thismay amount to a material change inthe use of the building or area ofland, for which planning permissionmay be required

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.(ICNIRP)Independent internationalorganisation of scientific experts inepidemiology, biology, dosimetry andoptical radiation which providesinformation and advice on possibleadverse effects on human health ofexposure to non-ionising radiation.The commission has publishedguidelines on exposure toelectromagnetic fields, laserradiation, ultraviolet radiation,

incoherent optical radiation andultrasound.

J

Joint London Tourism ForumPartnership formed in 1986comprising representatives frompublic, private, voluntary andGovernment organisations withinterests in tourism issues, steered bythe Visit London.

K

Key workerPerson having skills in anemployment sector important to thefunctioning of Central London inwhich employers have severedifficulties in recruiting and retainingstaff. Some categories of key workerare eligible for special forms ofhousing assistance.

Key worker affordable housingHousing accommodation provided forhouseholds whose members includeindividuals with skills in anemployment sector important to thefunctioning of Central London inwhich employers have severedifficulties in recruiting and retainingstaff. The City Council currentlyconsiders that the health care, policeand education occupational groupsmeet these criteria but that thesegroups will be reviewed by the CityCouncil over the course of the planperiod. See policy H4.

L

LAeqContinuous equivalent noise level,usually presented in decibels (dB). Itis used to represent a noise thatvaries in level over time, byrepresenting it as a single level that isequivalent to the sound energy over adefined period.

Glossary


Landmark buildingA building or structure that stands outfrom its background by virtue of itsimportance, height, size or someother aspect of design. Such abuilding is often deliberately placedon a planned axis or townscape vista.

Land Use SurveyA survey carried out by the CityCouncil to determine the land useand other social and economiccharacteristics of Westminster. Thelast full Land Use Survey was carriedout in 1990. Some parts of the city,including Marylebone, Bayswater,Queensway/Westbourne Grove,Knightsbridge and Millbank, were re-surveyed in 2001 and 2002.

LayoutThe way buildings, routes and openspaces are placed in relation to eachother.

Learning and Skills CouncilPublic body established by theLearning and Skills Act 2000 which isresponsible for planning and fundingvocational education and training forpeople aged over 16 in England,other than in higher education.Westminster is one of sevenboroughs covered by a local councilfor Central London, whose mainactivities comprise providing fundingfor further education, work-basedlearning, adult and communityeducation, workforce development,and information and advice services.

Less mobilePeople with disabilities, those withyoung children, the elderly, the sickand those without access to a car.

Lifelong learningThe accumulation of skills andknowledge for any reason, at anyage, in a formal setting (such as aschool) or an informal one (such as asports ground or arts venue).

Lifetime homesHousing built to a set of designcriteria which allows for their readyaccess and use by householdswhose members have a wide rangeof ages and abilities. The City Counciluses the standards set out in theJoseph Rowntree Foundationpublication ‘Meeting Part M anddesigning Lifetime Homes’, 1999.The sixteen standards concerned canbe viewed at www.lifetimes. org.uk

Listed buildingA building of special architectural orhistoric interest appearing on the listcompiled under s1 of the Planning(Listed Buildings and ConservationAreas) Act 1990, copies of which arekept by each local planning authorityfor its area. Works involvingdemolition, alteration or extensionwhich would affect the character of alisted building may be carried out onlywhere the works are authorised inaccordance with the Act. Listedbuildings are graded under theEnglish Heritage classification toshow their relative importance, withGrade I buildings being those ofexceptional interest, Grade II*particularly important buildings ofmore than special interest, and GradeII of special interest, warrantingevery effort to preserve them. Mostlisted buildings are Grade II.

Listed building consentPermission given by a local planningauthority, or on appeal by a PlanningInspector or by the Secretary ofState, to carry out external andinternal works which affect thespecial architectural and historicinterest of a listed building.

Listed building enforcement noticeA similar procedure to anenforcement notice in respect ofunauthorised works to a listedbuilding. A criminal offence iscommitted if works are carried outwithout listed building consent beinggranted.

Glossary


Local Biodiversity Action PlanPlan prepared by the WestminsterBiodiversity Partnership in 2000 andpublished by the City Council in 2000.The plan identified four habitats andeight species which are especiallyimportant in the city: the CityCouncil’s annual monitoring reportsdeals with changes in these aspectsof the city’s biodiversity. The plan willbe amended from to time.

Local convenience shopsShops selling everyday essentialgoods and services that people livingor working nearby are likely topurchase on a daily to weekly basis,such as grocers, newsagents, postoffices and chemists. (See paragraph7.15.)

Local development frameworkThe new plan-making system,introduced by the Planning andCompulsory Purchase Act 2004requires local planning authorities toprepare a local developmentframework, which will comprisedevelopment plan documents, whichwill form part of the statutoryDevelopment Plan andsupplementary planning documentswhich will provide additional detail.The framework will also include thestatement of community involvement,the local development scheme andthe annual monitoring report.

Local distinctivenessThe positive features of a place andits communities which contribute toits special character and sense ofplace.

Local distributor roadsRoad which distributes traffic toneighbouring boroughs and withinWestminster. They are in generaleither signed local routes, bus routesor routes which carry relatively largevolumes of traffic.

Local planDevelopment plan produced by alocal council for its area.

Westminster’s local plan is theUnitary Development Plan.

Local plan inquiryPublic inquiry held to considerobjections to local plan. Arising fromthe inquiry, an inspector produces areport to be considered by the localplanning authority before adoptingthe plan.

Local roadRoad whose function is to distributelocal traffic and to provide access toresidential and local centres. Localroads are also used by cyclists onlonger journeys.

Local Shopping CentreSmall centre, usually withconvenience goods shops, localservice uses, restaurants and pubsmainly providing facilities for peopleliving or working nearby, which theCity Council wishes to safeguard assought in accordance with nationalguidance. See Chapter 7, whichidentifies thirty nine such centres inthe city.

Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)Local organisation comprisingrepresentatives drawn from the CityCouncil, local health services, theMetropolitan Police Service, voluntaryand community sectors, localbusinesses regeneration partnershipsand residents’ groups whichproduces the community strategy forthe city (titled the Westminster CityPlan) under the provisions in s4 ofthe Local Government Act 2000.

Local viewsImportant local views, vistas andpanoramas of natural features,skylines, landmark buildings andstructures, groups of buildings, parks,open spaces, streets and squares.These will be identified in theConservation Area audits.

Glossary


London Biodiversity PartnershipOrganisation formed by a group ofpublic private and voluntary bodies in1996 to prepare a LondonBiodiversity Action Plan, to developproposals and policies to protectparticular species and types ofhabitat, and to contribute to thebiodiversity action plans of individualboroughs.

London Bus Priority Network(LBPN)A network of the most important buscarrying routes across London, onwhich all 33 London local authoritiesagreed it necessary to seek toimprove conditions for buses. Thiswas set up in response to theGovernment announcing the RedRoute Network, which the localauthorities did not feel wouldnecessarily aid bus movement inCentral London.

London Councils (formerly knownas the Association of LocalGovernment)London Councils is responsible forpolicy development for many keyissues in London. They work todeliver a better deal for London’s 33Councils. Other responsibilitiesinclude running a range of servicesfor Londoners.

London Cycle Network (LCN)A network of cycle routes acrossLondon providing access to all majorcentres of employment, education,leisure and railway stations. The LCNincludes some of the National CycleNetwork and regional routes in andaround London, including theThames Cycle Route.

London Development AgencyOrganisation established by Part V ofthe Greater London Authority Act1999 responsible for preparing aregional economic developmentstrategy for the Greater London areaunder the provisions of the RegionalDevelopment Agencies Act 1998, andfor delivering parts of that strategy. Itsmain activities include supporting

regeneration activities, improvingaccess to skills and jobs,strengthening businesscompetitiveness and marketing andpromoting London.

London Distributor RoadsRoads which provide links betweenthe TLRN and which distribute trafficto neighbouring boroughs. They arein general either signed local routes,bus routes or routes which carryrelatively large volumes of traffic.

London Ecology UnitOrganisation providing specialistadvice on biodiversity matters,controlled by joint committee of theLondon Boroughs from 1986 to 2000,and later absorbed into the staff ofthe Greater London Authority.

London PlanTitle given to the spatial developmentstrategy for Greater London preparedby the Mayor of London under PartVIII of the Greater London AuthorityAct 1999 and published by theGreater London Authority in February2004. Unitary Development Plansprepared by London Boroughs arerequired to be in general conformitywith the London Plan.

London Planning AdvisoryCommittee (LPAC)A joint committee, with representationfrom all London Boroughs, which wasestablished to consider and adviseLondon Boroughs matters of commoninterest relating to the planning anddevelopment of Greater London. Thecommittee was abolished by theGreater London Authority Act 1999.

Long term vacancyPremises which have been vacant forat least eighteen months.

Long Term Vehicular Access(LTVA)Proposal for widening Bishop’sBridge Road between the HarrowRoad and Eastbourne Terrace, andrelated highway improvements. TheCity Council, BAA and Railtrack

Glossary


jointly fund it as part of theParliamentary undertaking given tothe Select Committee of the House ofCommons when the HeathrowExpress Railway was grantedconsent.

Low Emission Zone (LEZ)An area to which access is allowedonly to vehicles whose engines andassociated equipment meet specifiedstandards. The approach wouldprevent older diesel-engine lorries,buses and coaches from visiting thezone, with the objective of improvingair quality and in turn the health ofpeople living and working there.

M

Mansard roofA traditional London roof form oftenadded as a later extension toGeorgian and Victorian buildings. It isa recessive form, behind parapetwalls with the first slope rising at anangle of 70 degrees with a shallowersecondary pitch above. It oftenfeatures dormer windows.

MassingThe combined effect of the height,bulk and silhouette of a building orgroup of buildings.

Material considerationA factor which a local planningauthority may take into account inmaking a decision on a planningapplication before it. In certaincircumstances, such a factor, or acombination of them, may besufficient to lead the authority todetermine the application other thanin accordance with the provisions ofthe development plan. Where thatoccurs, the factor or factors involvedmust, by law, be genuine planningmatters, relating to the developmentand use of land, and must fairly andreasonably relate to the applicationconcerned.

Material operationStatutory test of the implementationof planning permission, achieved for

example by the digging of trenches orthe laying of services.

Mayor of LondonTitle of the person elected to headthe executive arm of the GreaterLondon Authority under the GreaterLondon Authority Act 1999. TheMayor’s principal duties include thepreparation or approval of a numberof strategies for the Greater Londonarea, including those on transport,economic development, spatialdevelopment, biodiversity, wastemanagement, air quality, ambientnoise and culture.

Metropolitan Open LandAn area or areas of open spacewhose size, facilities or othercharacteristics fulfil the criteria set outin Policy 3D.9 of the London Plan.These areas form part of London’sstrategic open space network, andare shown diagrammatically on Map3D.3 in that plan. Planning policiesseek to protect such spaces frominappropriate development, includingthe reduction of its openness.

MobilityThe ability of people to move freelyabout the city and into and withinbuildings.

Mobility housingHousing accessible to users orvisitors with limited mobility, withwider doorways, ramp access to frontdoors and flush thresholds. It isdefined in HDD Occasional paper2/74, published by the formerDepartment for Transport, Londonand the Regions.

N

National Air Quality StrategyReport published by the Departmentof Environment, Transport and theRegions in January 2000 seeking thereduction of air pollution in the UnitedKingdom, setting targets for sevenpollutants which local authorities arerequired to achieve by 2005. Thestrategy was under review in 2006.

Glossary


National Playing FieldsAssociationCharitable organisation, granted aRoyal Charter in 1933, whichpromotes the protection andimprovement of playing fields andchildren’s playspace, and providestechnical advice on the use, designand specification of open spaces.

Nature conservationProtection and management of landand buildings and the promotion forthe benefit of wild species andhabitats.

Network RailNetwork Rail is a British companythat owns fixed assets which are partof the British railway system andformerly belonged to British Rail.

New West End CompanyA grouping of the major propertyowners and other interests (includingthe City Council) in the West End,brought together by London First in1998, to improve the competitivenessof the West End shopping district.

Noise sensitive propertiesTerm used in Government PlanningGuidance, PPG 24,’Planning andNoise’; in this Plan defined asproperties that are to be protectedfrom developments. These include:all residential properties; educationalestablishments; hotels; theatres;hospitals; concert halls; broadcastingand recording studios. See alsodefinition of ‘tranquil areas’

Non-A1 useAny use not falling within Use ClassA1 of the Use Classes Order 1987,as amended.

Non A1 retail useAny use falling within Classes A2, A3,A4 or A5 of the Use Classes Order1987, as amended, or a sui generisuse where the sale, display or serviceis to visiting members of the public.(See Policy SS1, and relatedparagraphs.)

Non A1 town centre useAny use not falling within Use ClassA1 of the Use Classes Order 1987 asamended, where the sale, display orservice is to visiting members of thepublic. (See Policy SS1, and relatedparagraphs.)

Non-determinationThe failure by a local planningauthority to determine a planningapplication within the time period forthat class of application as providedfor in the Planning Acts, or inregulations made under those Acts.

North West London StrategicHealth AuthorityStrategic health organisation,established in 2002, which isresponsible for carrying out thenational policy of the National HeathService at a ‘sub regional’ level. TheAuthority oversees some nineteenNational Health Service Trustsoperating in the eight LondonBoroughs of Brent, Ealing,Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow,Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensingtonand Chelsea and Westminster. Thesenineteen trusts, in their turn, haveresponsibility for running orcommissioning local NHS services.The Secretary of State for Healthannounced in April 2006 that the fiveLondon strategic authorities would beamalgamated into a single regionalauthority covering Greater Londonwith effect from July 2006.

North West Westminster SpecialPolicy Area. NWWSPAArea covered by Queens Park,Harrow Road, Westbourne and partsof Bayswater wards. This areaadjoins Paddington Special PolicyArea. This area has been identified inthe UDP as an area whichregeneration will take place duringthe plan period.

O

Glossary


OdourSmell or smells produced usually, byvery small concentrations of organicvapours.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister(ODPM)Government department responsiblebetween 2002 and 2006 for regionaland local government (including theregional Government Offices),housing, planning, regeneration andneighbourhood renewal. The ODPMis now the Department forCommunities and Local Government.

Off-street parkingParking for vehicles that is providedother than on the highway. It isusually required as part of housingand some other developments andalso covers public car parks.

On-street parkingParking for vehicles that is providedon the highway.

Opening hoursThe hours when customers are to bepermitted to be present on thepremises.

Outline planning permissionA permission for development inprinciple. Not available for changes ofuse. Always granted subject toapproval of some or all reservedmatters. An outline planningpermission will lapse if application forapproval of all reserved matters is notmade within three years. The CityCouncil does not normally grantoutline permission for development inconservation areas.

Out-of-centreA location more than 200-300 metresfrom the core shopping area of ashopping centre.

P

Paddington Area Traffic andEnvironmental Management Study(PATEMS)A study that provides the basis forassessing the impact and the

mechanism for funding the necessarymeasures to manage the impacts ofthe major development proposals inand around the PSPA.

Paddington Area Transport Study(PATS)A study undertaken in 1999 by theCity Council, jointly with LondonTransport, which identified schemesfor public transport improvements inthe PSPA.

Paddington Special Policy Area(PSPA)Area around Paddington Stationidentified in the UDP and on theProposals Map where majordevelopment is likely to take placeduring the Plan period.

ParadeA group of contiguous shops or shop-type premises, forming a separatesmall shopping centre, or comprisingpart of a larger shopping centre orfrontage.

Parapet wallA low protective wall at the top of afaçade, or along the edge of a roof,balcony or bridge.

Part MPart of the Building Regulationsdealing with access to buildings andwithin buildings for disabled people.

Period styleThe characteristic style andappearance of a property as dictatedby the prevailing architectural fashionat the time of original construction:Georgian, Regency or Victorian, forexample.

PermeabilityThe degree to which an area has avariety of pleasant, convenient andsafe routes through it.

Glossary


Permitted developmentMinor classes of development, asdefined in the Town and CountryPlanning Act 1990, which are givenplanning permission by the GeneralPermitted Development Order and donot require specific permission to beobtained through making anapplication for planning permission toa local planning authority.

Person with disabilitiesSee disabled person.

Planning InspectorA person appointed by the Secretaryof State, usually from the staff of thePlanning Inspectorate, to determine aplanning appeal made to theSecretary of State, or to makerecommendations to him about thatappeal. The inspector deals with theappeal by considering writtenrepresentations from the partiesinvolved, or through evidencepresented to him at an informalhearing or by holding a public inquiry.Planning inspectors also conductinquiries into development plans andinto development plan documentsprepared under the newarrangements introduced by thePlanning and Compulsory PurchaseAct 2004.

Planning Inspectorate (PINS)Government agency reporting to theSecretary of State, with responsibilityfor the determination of planning andenforcement appeals, (or in certaininstances making recommendationsto the Secretary of State as to hisdecisions) and for holding inquiriesinto local development plans. Theagency also deal with a wide varietyof other planning related caseworkincluding listed building consentappeals, advertisement appeals, andreporting on planning applications.

Planning agreementSee planning obligation.

Planning benefitA benefit to the community arisingfrom the grant of planning permission

– see policy STRA 7 in Part 1. Majordevelopment will almost always havean impact outside the boundaries ofthe application site. In these cases,works such as highwayimprovements or appropriate localfacilities and services, may berequired, usually by means of aplanning obligation.

Planning briefWritten statement of guidanceprepared by a local planning authoritysetting out its preferences for thedevelopment of a site within its area.

Planning committeeA committee of elected members of alocal planning authority appointed toconsider planning applications andother planning matters in accordancewith its terms of reference. Inreaching its decisions, a committeetakes into account therepresentations made about thedevelopment concerned, the relevantprovisions of the development planand any other materialconsiderations, and the advice of theauthority’s professional advisers onthose matters.

Planning Contravention NoticeA notice served by a local planningauthority where it believes that abreach of planning control hasoccurred, which among other thingsrequires the owner or occupier ofland, or any other person carrying outoperations on or using land, toprovide information about theunauthorised activities and otherrelated matters.

Planning InspectorA person appointed by the Secretaryof State, usually from the staff of thePlanning Inspectorate, to determine aplanning appeal made to theSecretary of State, or to makerecommendations to him about thatappeal. The inspector deals with theappeal by considering writtenrepresentations from the partiesinvolved, or through evidencepresented to him at an informal

Glossary


hearing or by holding a public inquiry.Planning inspectors also conductinquiries into development plans andinto development plan documentsprepared under the newarrangements introduced by thePlanning and Compulsory PurchaseAct 2004.

Planning (Listed Buildings andConservation Areas) Act 1990The principal legislation setting outprovisions about the use anddevelopment of buildings of specialarchitectural or historic interest andtheir settings, and the preservationand enhancement of areas of specialarchitectural or historic interest.

Planning obligationAn enforceable compact associatedwith the use and development ofland. This may be either anagreement between a local planningauthority and an organisation orindividual having an interest in land;or a unilateral undertaking given byan applicant for planning permission.An obligation usually involves arestriction on the use or developmentof land; or a specific requirementabout an operation or activity to becarried out on land; or a requirementthat land should only be used in aspecified way; or the payment of asum or sums of money. TheSecretary of State’s expectations asto the characteristics of planningobligations are set out in paras 20-23of The Planning System: GeneralPrinciples, published by the ODPM in2005.

Planning permissionA written consent to the carrying outof development issued by a localplanning authority or, on appeal, by aPlanning Inspector or the Secretaryof State. The permission is normallysubject to conditions and will lapse ifthe development is not started withina stated period of time. Planningpermission for buildings may be inoutline where the principle isapproved, subject to the later

submission of further applications forthe approval of reserved matters.

Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)Publication issued by the Office of theDeputy Prime Minister or itspredecessor Governmentdepartments responsible for planning,setting out principles to be taken intoaccount by local planning authoritiesin preparing development plans andas material considerations incontrolling development in theirareas. A total of twenty-fivepublications were issued: these are tobe replaced gradually by PlanningPolicy Statements.

Planning Policy Statement (PPS)Publication issued by the Office of theDeputy Prime Minister, or itssuccessors, setting out theGovernment’s planning policies forEngland. Local planning authoritiesare required by s34 of the Planningand Compulsory Purchase Act 2004to have regard to the guidancecontained in these statements inpreparing local developmentdocuments under the new plan-making arrangements in the Act. Thestatements are a materialconsideration which local planningauthorities should take into account incontrolling development in theirareas. The statements will graduallyreplace the Government’s PlanningPolicy Guidance.

Plot widthThe measurement of a building plotwithin a street frontage, oftendetermined by the layout and blocksubdivision of the estate developmentof Westminster in the eighteenth andnineteenth centuries. The plot widthhas a strong influence on the pattern,rhythm and proportion of buildingsand is a key element of context.

Port of London AuthorityPublic trust organisation constitutedunder the Port of London Act 1968. Ithas statutory responsibilities includethe conservancy and safe navigationof the tidal River Thames from

Glossary


Teddington to the North Sea. Itprovides the pilotage service for theport, and navigation services whichinclude the maintaining shippingchannels, moorings, lights and buoys.Its duties include the registration ofcraft and the licensing of worksextending into, over or under theRiver Thames.

Precautionary principleWhere there are threats of serious orirreversible damage, lack of fullscientific certainty shall not be usedas a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to preventenvironmental degradation.

PreservationWork undertaken only whennecessary to ensure the survival oforiginal fabric. No new work oraddition is involved.

Primary Shopping FrontageThe main shopping frontage,attracting the highest pedestrianflows in the city’s InternationalShopping Centres, comprising OxfordStreet, Regent Street and BondStreet, and part of Knightsbridge andBrompton Road. The policy which theCity Council will apply to thesefrontages is set out at Policy SS3 inthis plan, and the detailed list ofaddresses concerned is at Appendix7.3.

Proposals MapA map showing, on an OrdnanceSurvey base, the proposals for thedevelopment and use of land whichare set out in the written statement ofa development plan. Under s12 of theTown and Country Planning Act1990, the map is a constituent part ofthe plan. In this plan, the map showsareas which are covered by policiesin the plan, and land for which theplan makes a specific proposal.

Proximity principleDealing with waste as near aspracticable to its place of production.

Public artPermanent or temporary works of artvisible to the general public, whetherpart of a building or freestanding: caninclude sculpture, lighting effects,street furniture, paving, railings andsigns.

Public inquiryA formal hearing, conducted by aPlanning Inspector, which may beheld to consider appeals against thedecisions of local planningauthorities, where an application iscalled in for decision by the Secretaryof State, or to examine objections toa development plan. The procedurein a public inquiry is required to followrules made under the Tribunes andInquiries Act 1992.

Public open spaceLand used by the public for recreationor as gardens which enjoys specialprotection. The loss of public openspace is generally not permitted.

R

RatchetThe effect of provisions in theGeneral Permitted DevelopmentOrder, where certain changes of useare permitted between one use classand another where the new usewould have a lesser effect on localamenity than the old use.

Red route networkNetwork of ‘priority routes’ in London,originally designated by the Secretaryof State for Transport under thepowers in Part III of the Road TrafficAct 1991. On these routes, oftenknown as ‘red’ routes, priority is givento moving traffic, through the use ofconcentrated parking enforcementand the use of higher penalties forparking infringements.

Glossary


Registered Social Landlord (RSL)Organisation registered with theHousing Corporation under theprovisions in Chapter 1 of theHousing Act 1996. The organisationsconcerned may be housingassociations which are registeredcharities, or non-profit-makingprovident societies or companies.They must provide housing keptavailable for letting, and meet otherrequirements set out in the Act.

Regulation 7 directionProvision in the Town and CountryPlanning (Control of Advertisements)Regulations 1992 which allows alocal planning authority, subject to thepermission of the Secretary of State,to withdraw from deemed consent,the display of certain classes ofadvertisement in all or part of its area.Under this provision, the City Councilhas removed the deemed consent forestate agents’ boards in parts ofWestminster. This means thatspecific consent is therefore requiredfor their display in those areas.

Reserved mattersMatters of detail, not dealt with on thegrant of outline or full planningpermission, for which approval mustsubsequently be obtained. Theseusually comprise siting, design,external appearance of buildings , themeans of access to the land orbuildings, or landscaping of the site.

Retail floorspaceFloorspace occupied by, or suitablefor occupation by shops and services.Although this primarily refers to A1retail floorspace, A2, A3, A4, A5 andrelated sui generis uses such asinternet cafés and launderettes wherethe sale, display or service is tovisiting members of the public, mayalso be regarded as ‘retail floorspace’for planning purposes.

Road closureClosure of a highway (which mayinclude a footway) over which thepublic exercise right of way, by anorder made under the provisions in

Part X of the Town and CountryPlanning Act 1990 or in the HighwaysAct 1980. The procedures involvedprovide for public notice, objections,and in some circumstances theholding of a local inquiry.

Road safeguardingThe practice of requiring builtdevelopment to be positioned so thatit will allow for a highway to bewidened or its alignment to bechanged. Areas where this will beapplied in the City of Westminster arereferred to in Chapter 4: Transport,and are shown in the Proposals Map.

Round London Sightseeing Tour(RLST)Licensed bus service, intendedmainly for tourists, whose style ofoperation shares many features withtourist coaches.

Royal ParkArea of Crown land largely managedas public open space by the RoyalParks Agency on behalf of theDepartment of Culture, Media andSport. In Westminster these compriseGreen Park, Hyde Park, part ofKensington Gardens, Regent’s Parkand St James’s Park.

Residual noiseThe ambient noise remaining whenspecific noise is suppressed. Atechnical definition is given in theBritish Standards Institutiondocument, BS 4142. One use of theterm ‘residual noise’ is when ameasurement is made to assessnoise specific static source, such asair conditioning plant. The noise isthe existing noise level that remainswhen the plant is switched off.

Rule 4 waiverWaiver of a condition on a publicentertainment licence which prohibitsstriptease and other activitiesinvolving nudity, where premisescater for sex encounter experiencessuch as a peep show, striptease ortable side dancing and where theseactivities take place as part of or

Glossary


associated with public music or musicand dancing.

S

ScaleThe size of a building in relation to itssurroundings, or the size of parts of abuilding in relation to the wholebuilding.

Scholarly replicaA historically accurate, facsimile,reproduction of the originalappearance and form of a lost historicbuilding or part of building.

Secondary frontagesThese are identified in the sevenDistrict Centres. Policies allow for anelement of non-A1 uses. (See policySS 7 and maps for District Centres 1-6)

Secretary of StateUnless otherwise indicated, theGovernment minister responsible foroverseeing the operation of the land-use planning system in England.

Section 54AProvision in the Town and CountryPlanning Act 1990, inserted by s26 ofthe Planning and Compensation Act1991, requiring local planningauthorities to make decisions inaccordance with the developmentplan ‘unless material considerationsindicate otherwise’.

Section 106 agreementAn agreement made under section106 of the Town and CountryPlanning Act 1990 to secure aplanning obligation (also seeunilateral undertaking).

Sense of placeThe unique perception of a placecreated by its local buildings, streets,open spaces and activities. The moredistinctive the place the greater thesense of it being special. A characterwhich is greater than the sum of theconstituent parts.

Sequential testRequirement set out in national policyguidance, at para 2.44 of PPS6:Planning for Town Centres issued in2005, that a sequential approachshould be adopted by local planningauthorities in selecting sites for towncentre uses. The approach requiresthat locations are considered in thefollowing order: first, locations inappropriate existing centres; thenedge of centre locations; then out ofcentre locations, with preferencegiven to sites which are or will beserved by a choice of means oftransport.

Sex establishmentPremises which are required to belicensed for the provision of goods orservices of a sexual nature, includingcertain bars, book and video shops,as specified in Schedule 3 of theLocal Government (MiscellaneousProvisions) Act 1982, as amended bySection 12(4) of the Greater LondonCouncil (General Powers) Act 1986.

Sex-related Uses/ActivitiesUse or activities which would receivea sex establishment licence or awaiver under Rule 4(a) of the CityCouncil’s Rules of Management forPlaces of Public Entertainment topermit nudity or partial nudity orrequire a licence as ‘near beer’premises as defined in the LondonLocal Authorities Act 1995 orpremises used primarily for theshowing of films with a Restricted(18) certificate

Shared ownershipAn arrangement in which ownershipof a housing property is sharedbetween and occupier and, usually, aregistered social landlord. Theoccupier purchases a property at aproportion of its value and pays a rentto cover the share in the equityretained by the other owner.

Glossary


ShopmobilityScheme to enable people who find itdifficult to move around a shoppingarea to do so easily andindependently.

ShopPremises used for the retail sale ofgoods and services, other than hotfood or drink, to visiting members ofthe public, as described in the UseClasses Order 1987, as amended.

Shopping frontage/retail frontageA street level frontage characterisedby a predominance of shop-typepremises.

Shop-type premisesPremises originally built for shop use,or converted for that purpose, usuallywith a large shop window, withaccess direct from a footway, andcapable of being used for the retailsale of goods and services.

Short-term lettingUse of residential premises, asdefined in s25 of the Greater London(General Powers) Act 1973, andamended by s 4 of the GreaterLondon Council (General Powers)Act 1983, as temporary sleepingaccommodation. Temporary sleepingaccommodation means use assleeping accommodation which isoccupied by the same person for lessthan ninety consecutive nights, andwhich is provided, with or withoutother services for a considerationarising either by way of trade ormoney’s worth, or by reason of theemployment of the occupant.

Single Regeneration Budget (SRB)Government programme, started in1994, under which financialassistance was provided to localpartnerships to support localregeneration initiatives. The broadpriority was to enhance the quality oflife of local people in areas of needby reducing the gap betweendeprived and other areas, andbetween different groups. In Londonthe programme was administered

through the London DevelopmentAgency.

Site of Metropolitan Importance forNature ConservationArea of land, originally identified bythe London Ecology Unit, as havingnature conservation features ofexisting or potential importance toLondon as a whole. In Westminsterthere are six such areas, comprisingfour Royal Parks, BuckinghamPalace Gardens and the RiverThames.

Skills mismatchSituation arising in the employmentmarket when the abilities andexpertise of people seeking jobs arenot of the kind being sought byemployers.

Social housingLiving accommodation, usuallyrented, provided by a local authorityor by a registered social landlord.

Spaces between buildingsLargely unbuilt-on areas betweenbuildings, such as streets, openspaces, and squares, which form thepublic domain and the townscape.

Spatial Development StrategyDocument setting out a broadstrategy for land use anddevelopment in Greater Londonprepared by the Mayor of Londonunder Part VIII of the Greater LondonAuthority Act 1999 and published asthe London Plan by the GreaterLondon Authority in February 2004.Unitary Development Plans preparedby London Boroughs are required tobe in general conformity with theLondon Plan.

Statutory consulteeOrganisation specifically named inlegislation or in Governmentguidance, which a local planningauthority is required to consult beforereaching a decision on a planningapplication, in making any otherplanning determination, or in

Glossary


preparing parts of its developmentplan.

Stop noticeNotice issued by a local planningauthority under Part VII of the Townand Country Planning Act 1990imposing a ban, with almostimmediate effect, on activities thatare being carried on in breach ofplanning control. The notice may beissued where the activities are thesubject of an enforcement notice andwhere they have a significant effecton the amenity of a locality.

Strategic Guidance for LondonPlanning Authorities (RPG3)Document setting out strategicpolicies for the London areapublished in May 1996 by theSecretary of State for theEnvironment to “assist the LondonBoroughs to prepare their UnitaryDevelopment Plans”. It ceased tohave effect when the London Planwas published in February 2004.

Strategic Planning Advice forLondonReport published in March 1994 bythe London Planning AdvisoryCommittee, advising the Secretary ofState on the scope and content of hisStrategic Guidance for LondonPlanning Authorities which waspublished in 1996. This guidanceceased to have effect when theLondon Plan was published inFebruary 2004.

Strategic Planning Guidance forthe River Thames (RPG3b/9b)Guidance issued by the Secretary ofState in1997 to provide the strategicplanning context for planning policiesin development plans about the RiverThames.

Strategic View CorridorA wedge-shaped corridor, identifiedin the Supplementary Guidance forLondon on the Protection of LondonViews, published by the Secretary ofState in 1991, protecting strategicviews of St Paul’s Cathedral and the

Palace of Westminster from ten,mainly high, points elsewhere inLondon. These corridors will bereplaced by the London ViewManagement Framework beingprepared by the Mayor of London assupplementary guidance, andpublished in draft form in April 2005.

Street furnitureStructures on the highway, or on landadjoining it which contribute to thestreet scene, such as bus shelters,litter bins, telephone kiosks, seating,lighting, railings and signs.

Stress AreaArea identified by the City Councilwhere it believes that restaurants,cafés, takeaways, public houses,bars and other entertainment useshave become concentrated to anextent that harm is being caused toresidential amenity, the interests ofother commercial uses, the localenvironment, and to the characterand function of the locality. Theseareas are shown on Maps 8.2, 8.3and 8.4.

Structure planDevelopment plan produced by acounty council for its area. Must beread with the relevant local plan. Part1 of the UDP equates to the structureplan for Westminster.

Sui Generis useA use ‘of its own kind’, which doesnot fall within any of the use classesdefined in the Use Classes Order1987, as amended. The Orderspecifies that several uses, includingamusement arcades, casinos, petrolfilling stations and theatres do not fallwithin the ambit of a Use Class, andare thus Sui Generis uses.

Supplementary Guidance forLondon on the Protection ofStrategic Views (RPG3a)Guidance issued in 1991 by theSecretary of State for theEnvironment defining importantstrategic views of the Palace ofWestminster and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Glossary


The views protected in this documentwill be replaced by the London Planand by Supplementary PlanningGuidance to be published by theMayor of London in due course.

Supplementary Planning Guidance(SPG)Guidance prepared by a localplanning authority in accordance withparagraphs 3.15 to 3.18 of PPG12:Development Plans, which may betaken into account as a materialconsideration by it when reachingplanning decisions. The guidance cantake the form of a design guide, or anarea development brief, or givedetails of the approach which theCouncil will use in dealing with aparticular issue such as access tobuildings, avoiding architectural theft,and so on. Guidance prepared byWestminster City Council has beenformally adopted by the City Counciland includes the audits it has carriedout of its Conservation Areas. TheAnnual Monitoring Report listssupplementary guidance andConservation Area audits currently inoperation.

Surface treatmentThe finishes and materials used topave the highway, pavements andother public open spaces.

Sustainable developmentObjective which local planningauthorities are required to contributeto under s 39 of the Planning andCompulsory Purchase Act 2004, inexercising their functions. The WorldCommission on Environment andDevelopment defined sustainabledevelopment in 1987 as ‘ensuringthat the needs of the present are metwithout compromising the ability offuture generations to meet theirneeds’. The Government’s aims forsustainable development are set outin para 4 of PPS1: DeliveringSustainable Development.

T

Temporary sleepingaccommodationSee ‘Short term letting’ above.

Thames Cycle RoutePart of the London Cycle Networkstretching across London fromHampton Court to Dartford.

Thames Path National TrailA waymarked route running from thesource of the Thames to the sea,whose management is overseen bythe Countryside Agency.

Time limitGenerally, a detailed planningpermission will be granted subject toa condition that it is implementedwithin five years. Similarly, an outlineplanning permission will be subject toa condition that an application forapproval of reserved matters is madewithin three years.

Time-share accommodationSelf-contained housingaccommodation in which severalpeople have an interest entitling themto occupy premises or any part of itfor a specified period each year.Under s 5 of the Greater LondonCouncil (General Powers) Act 1984,this is an arrangement whichconstitutes a material change fromuse as a dwelling house.

TopographyThe underlying geology andlandscape form of an area, includingrivers and watercourses, valleys,hills, field patterns and boundaries.

Total cost indicator (TCI)A financial assessment carried out bythe Housing Corporation until March2006 to determine the normal cost ofproducing certain types and sizes ofdwellings at locations in England. Thecosts were re-appraised on an annualbasis using data on property pricesand construction costs.

Glossary


TouristA visitor from the UK or overseas forholiday, visits to friends and relations,business, conferences or any otherpurpose (except such things asboarding school or semi-permanentemployment), who stays overnight.

Town and Country Planning (UseClasses) Order 1987See Use Classes Order 1987.

Town Centre Health CheckSpecialist assessment of conditionsin a town centre, intended to measureits vitality and viability, as called for inpara 2.7 of PPG6: Town Centres andRetail Developments. In the City ofWestminster, these assessmentswere carried out in 1997 and 2002.Para 4.4 of PPS6: Planning for TownCentres, published in 2005 repeatedthat requirement. Westminstercommissioned Health Check Surveysfor its seven District Centres at theend of 2006.

Town Centre ManagementSchemesPartnerships between retailers andother businesses in a town centre,landowners, local residents and localauthorities. They aim to improve theattractiveness of shopping areas(See paragraph 7.164).

Town centre useA use serving visiting members of thepublic and is appropriate at groundfloor level in a shopping centre. Itincludes shops (A1 uses), non-A1retail uses, health uses, libraries, andentertainment facilities.

TownscapeThe ensemble of buildings, streetsand spaces and their collectivecontribution to the character andappearance of an area.

Tranquil areaA location with a calm peaceful orquiet quality, such as a park, gardenor other open space. The CityCouncil seeks to protect such areasfrom intruding noise.

Transport for London (TfL)Public body established by theGreater London Authority Act 1999,accountable to the Mayor of Londonwith responsibility for implementingthe transport strategy for London,prepared by the Mayor under the Act.

Transport for London RoadNetwork (TLRN)In general, the main signed trafficroutes on which through traffic shouldtravel. See also Map 4.1 and theProposals Map.

Transport Impact Statement (TIS)Statement which the City Councilmay require an applicant to provide,when making a planning application,as referred to in para 81 of PPG13:Transport, published in 2001.Appendix 4.1 to this plan sets outdetails of the information which theCity Council will expect applicants toprovide to assist it in ensuring that allthe transport implications of adevelopment are fully considered

Tree Preservation Order (TPO)Order made by a local planningauthority under s198 of the Town andCountry Planning Act 1990 providingfor protection for a tree, a group oftrees, or an area of woodland, in theinterests of amenity. An order mayprohibit the cutting down, topping,lopping, uprooting or damaging suchtrees, and provide for their care orreplacement.

U

Unilateral undertakingSee planning obligation.

Unitary Development PlanPlan prepared under Part II, Chapter1 of the Town and Country PlanningAct 1990 by a local planning authorityfor its area. Every London boroughwas required to prepare a unitarydevelopment plan for its area underthe provisions of that Act. Unitarydevelopment plans will be replacedby a local development frameworkprepared under the provisions in the

Glossary


Planning and Compulsory PurchaseAct 2004.

Unlisted building of architecturaland historic interestBuilding of architectural and historicinterest that make a positivecontribution to the character andappearance of a conservation area.These are usually buildings which, byvirtue of their age, materials, design,appearance, historic association anduse, characterise the building stock ofany particular conservation area.There is a policy presumption toretain such buildings.

Urban designThe art of making places. Urbandesign involves the design ofbuildings, groups of buildings, spacesand landscapes in towns and citiesand the establishment of policies,frameworks and processes thatfacilitate successful development.

Urban grainSee Urban morphology.

Urban morphologyThe arrangement, hierarchy and sizeof buildings and their plots in asettlement and their overallrelationship to the distinctive layout ofstreets, squares and open spaces ofa particular place.

Use Classes Order 1987Order made by the Secretary of Stateunder s22 of the Town and CountryPlanning Act 1990, subsequentlyamended several times, setting outbroad classes of use for land andbuildings. Under provisions in theGeneral Permitted DevelopmentOrder, a change from one use toanother within the same class doesnot need planning permission.

V

VernacularThe way in which ordinary buildingswere built in a particular place,making use of local styles,techniques and materials and

responding to local economic andsocial conditions.

VisitorA person who is on a day trip to anarea in which they are not normallyresident or where they do notnormally work, usually involving avisit to an attraction, a theatre or asporting event, etc.

Visual clutterUncoordinated arrangement andexcessive amount of street furniture,signs, plant, air conditioningequipment and other features, whichadversely affects the appearance ofthe environment.

VistaAn enclosed view, usually a longnarrow one.

W

Waste Local PlanDevelopment plan for waste.Westminster’s waste local plan is theUDP.

Waste Recycling Plan (WRP)Plan prepared by City Council, as awaste collection authority, underSection 49 of the EnvironmentalProtection Act 1990, setting outproposals for the handling andrecycling of waste collected by theauthority.

Westminster City PlanThe ‘community strategy’ for the Cityof Westminster, prepared under s4 ofthe Local Government Act 2000, andagreed by the Westminster CityPartnership in 2002, which isintended to promote the economic,social and environmental well-beingof the city. The strategic policies inthe Unitary Development Plan reflectthe six aims set out in the City Plan.A new community strategy waspublished in November 2006.

Glossary


Westminster Primary Care TrustThe National Health Service body,established in 2002, which isresponsible for health servicesthroughout the City of Westminster.The trust plans and funds all hospitalservices for local residents and co-ordinates the planning and funding ofall the independent ‘contractors’including general practitioners, dentalpractices, optical practices andcommunity pharmacies . In addition itemploys district nurses, healthvisitors, school and other nurses whowork in Westminster and many of theNHS speech and languagetherapists, physiotherapists,occupational therapists,psychologists and podiatrists whowork in community clinics and inpeoples’ homes. The trust is alsoresponsible for heath centres, clinicsand other specialist facilities.

Wholesale showroomPremises at which products orservices are viewed, displayed orotherwise promoted, in order to besold wholesale. The East Marylebonearea has an important concentrationof showrooms associated with thefashion industry.

Wildlife corridorA continuous area of open spaceleading through the built environmentwhich links wildlife sites to each otherand the surrounding countryside,such as canals, railwayembankments, parks and rivers. Theycan allow animals and plants topenetrate further into a built-up area.

Workplace nurseryFacility providing care for the childrenof working people during a workingday. They are normally subsidised bythe employer and usually cater forbetween twenty and forty children ata time.

World cityMajor city, widely recognised as a‘globally successful businesslocation’, when measured on a widerange of indicators such as financial

services, government, business,higher education, culture and tourism.World city is an attribute possessedby only a small number of the world’sgreat cities, including New York,Tokyo and London. Westminsteraims to be a ‘world class city’ ratherthan simply a world city.

World Squares for AllA master plan study, managed onbehalf of the Mayor of London byTransport for London, examiningTrafalgar Square, Parliament Squareand Whitehall. The proposalsproduced by the study were intendedimprove the area for visitors andworkers. The first phase dealt withconditions in Trafalgar Square.

Written representationsMethod used by the PlanningInspectorate for dealing with smallerappeal cases through the exchangeof written statements.

Written StatementThe written statement of the UDPcomprises Part 1, which sets out theoverall planning aims for Westminsterand Part 2 which contains the localpolicies and standards. The writtenstatement takes precedence over theProposals Map.

017 glossary - jan 2007 - city of westminster

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