Minerals Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
Appropriate Assessment (AA): The process required by EU Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive) for formal assessment of plans to ensure protection of integrity of Natura 2000 sites.
Air Quality Management Area (AQMA): If National Air Quality Objectives are not likely to be achieved in a specific area, a local authority must declare an AQMA and develop an Air Quality Action Plan to improve quality.
Biodiversity: The range of life forms that constitute the living world, from microscopic organisms to the largest tree or animal, and the habitats and ecosystems in which they live.
Conservation Area: An area designated by a local planning authority under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act, 1990, regarded as being an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which should be preserved or enhanced.
Core Strategy: Where a two part local plan has been produced the core strategy is part 1. It is the part of the development plan for an area which sets out the local planning authority's long-term spatial vision for that area. It should comprise: a spatial vision and strategic objectives for the area; a spatial strategy; core policies; and a monitoring and implementation framework with clear objectives for achieving delivery. Part 2 of the local plan should include site allocations and detailed policies against which planning applications will be assessed.
Development Plan: The statutory framework for planning decisions, comprising the local plans prepared by local planning authorities (including the County Council and District Councils) and neighbourhood plans where these have been adopted.
Green Belt: An area of land surrounding an urban area having five distinct purposes: To check the unrestricted sprawl of large built up areas; to prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another; to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment; to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns, and; to assist in urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land. (As set out in the NPPF, 2012).
Ha/ha (Hectare): An area of10, 000 sq. metres or 2.471 acres.
Listed Building: A building or structure of special architectural or historic interest included on a list prepared under Section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act, 1990. Consent is normally required for its demolition in whole or part, and for any works of alteration or extension (both internal and external) which would affect its special interest.
Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP): A plan that identifies local biodiversity priorities and determines the contribution they can make to the delivery of the national Species and Habitat Action Plan targets. Often, but not always, LBAPs conform to county boundaries.
Local Nature Reserve (LNR): Established by a local authority under the powers of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.
Local Plan: A document that sets out the vision, objectives, spatial strategy and strategic policies for a local authority area together with site allocations and detailed policies against which planning applications will be assessed.
Local Wildlife Site: Site of local importance for nature conservation or geology identified by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Audit Steering Group. These sites were formerly known as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs).
National Planning Policy Framework: Sets out the Government's planning policies for England and how they are expected to be applied.
Open Space: Any undeveloped land within the boundaries of a village, town or city which provides, or has the potential to provide, environmental, social and/or economic benefits to communities, whether direct or indirect.
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004: Government legislation which sets out the changes to the planning system.
Planning Practice Guidance: A web-based resource introduced by the Government in 2014 which provides guidance on a range of planning issues.
Previously Developed Land: Land which has in the past been a developed site (also referred to as brownfield land)
Renewable Energy: The term 'renewable energy' covers those resources which occur and recur naturally in the environment. Such resources include heat from the earth or sun, power from the wind and from water and energy from plant material and from the recycling of domestic, industrial or agricultural waste, and from recovering energy from domestic, industrial or agricultural waste.
Saved Policies: Existing policies in a local plan which have been saved by direction of the Secretary of State.
Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM): 'Scheduling' is shorthand for the process through which nationally important sites and monuments are given legal protection by being placed on a list, or 'schedule'. Historic England takes the lead in identifying sites in England which should be placed on the schedule.
Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC): Site of local importance for nature conservation or geology identified by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Audit Steering Group. These are now known as Local Wildlife Sites.
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): The designation under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, of an area of land of special interest by reason of its flora, fauna, geological or physiological features.
Special Area of Conservation (SAC): An area which has been given special protection under the European Union's Habitats Directive. Such areas provide increased protection to a variety of wild animals, plants and habitats and are a vital part of global efforts to conserve the world's biodiversity.
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA): Local planning authorities are required to prepare this assessment in consultation with the Environment Agency. The SFRA will be used to refine information on the areas that may flood and will provide the basis for a sequential approach to development allocation and control.
Sustainability Appraisal (SA): A tool for appraising policies and proposals to ensure they reflect sustainable development objectives (i.e. social, environmental and economic objectives). All local plans must be subject to this process and the Government's preferred approach is to combine this with the requirement for strategic environmental assessment.
Sustainable development: This has a number of definitions, one of which is "to enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of life of future generations."
