Glossary

Affordable housing: There is no simple definition of affordable housing, but it's generally thought to mean low-cost housing for rent, often from a housing association, to meet the needs of local people who cannot afford accommodation through the open market. It can be delivered through social renting, shared ownership or low-cost housing on the open market. Affordable housing usually involves some form of subsidy. In the case of affordable housing provided through planning obligations, much of the subsidy is provided by the developer. This is understood in terms of dwellings that have to be sold at a rate lower than what the developer would achieve on the open market.
Aggregates: Aggregates are crushed rock, sand and gravel used in the construction industry for materials such as concrete, roadstone and asphalt, or for use as constructional fill or railway ballast.
Amenity: The pleasant or normally satisfactory aspects of a location which contribute to its overall character and the enjoyment of residents or visitors The Minister of Town and Country Planning in 1951 stated that 'anything ugly, dirty, noisy, crowded or uncomfortable may injure the interests of amenity'. Amenity is often a material consideration in planning decisions.
Annual progress report: Each year, most authorities need to submit an annual progress report to Government detailing how the policies in the local transport plan are being implemented and transport funding used.
Appraisal summary table: A table which shows the appraisal of possible transport options against the Government's criteria for transport: environmental impact, safety, economy, accessibility and integration. They are produced by the proposer of a scheme, such as the Highways Agency or Highway Authority.
Area Action Plans: Plans for areas of change or conservation. Their purpose is to deliver planned growth, stimulate regeneration, protect areas sensitive to change through conservation policies, make proposals for enhancement and resolve conflicting objectives in areas where there is significant development pressure. Area action plans are development plan documents, which means they carry the full weight of the planning system in determining planning applications.
Areas of change: Areas identified in a local plan or local development framework as ones that the local authority expects to change, through, for example, development pressure or regeneration initiatives.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs): These were brought into being by the same legislation as National Parks - the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949. They are fine landscapes, of great variety in character and extent. The primary objective of their designation is the conservation area's natural beauty, although many of them also fulfil a great recreational purpose. The Countryside Agency is responsible for designating AONBs in England and advising Government on policies for their protection. There are 36 in all, covering about 15% of England.
Article 4 direction: A direction under Article 4 of the The Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 that allows the secretary of state or local planning authority to require a planning application for development that would normally not need one because it would be covered by permitted development rights. Local planning authorities need the approval of the secretary of state in most cases.
Authorities: See local authority, local planning authority, local waste authority, unitary authorities.