Proposed Submission Core Strategy

APPENDIX 2 - GLOSSARY OF TERMS

5 Year Housing Supply – The policy on identifying and demonstrating a 5 year supply of land is set out in PPS3 and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment: Practice Guidance. This says that a 5 year supply should be deliverable (available, suitable and achievable).Local authorities should be able to defend their land supply evidence based on published policy and guidance.

1066 Country - 1066 Country is recognised throughout the world as a leading brand of historical experience; its spectacular coast and countryside are littered with relics and ruins from the Norman invasion.

1066 Enterprise - the Enterprise Agency for Hastings and Rother, and also the Chamber of Commerce for Hastings and St Leonards.

1066 Group – the Steering Group for the partnership of Local Authorities (Wealden, Rother and Hastings), the tourist attractions and accommodation providers that cooperate in setting a marketing strategy for 1066 Country.

Accessibility – the ability of people to move around an area and reach places and facilities, including elderly and disabled people, those with young children and those encumbered with luggage or shopping.

Action in Rural Sussex (AiRS) - Sussex Rural Community Council was formed in 1931 as a registered charity. In 2002 SRCC changed its name to Action in Rural Sussex. Its role is to identify problems and to respond to the needs of rural communities.

Affordable housing – Affordable housing includes social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to specified eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Affordable housing should:

• Meet the needs of eligible households including availability at a cost low enough for them to afford, determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices.
• Include provision for the home to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households or, if these restrictions are lifted, for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision’.

Rother District Council Housing service requires affordable housing to be provided through a "registered provider".

Affordable Housing Viability Study (AHVS) - A Study to reflect the likely economic viability of land for housing within the area, taking account of the risks to delivery and drawing on informed assessments of likely levels of finance available for affordable housing, including public subsidy and level of developer contribution that can be reasonably secured (PPS3: Housing)

Agri-Environmental Schemes - a term used to describe national (or local) schemes that pay farmers to farm in an environmentally sensitive way.

AiRS – see Action in Rural Sussex.

Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) – areas to be established by borough and district councils following local assessment of air quality where individual pollutants are forecast to exceed standards defined in the National Air Quality Strategy.

Ancient Woodland – woodland that is likely to have existed before 1600AD and contains trees and shrubs that are predominately native not obviously planted but have arisen through natural regeneration or coppice re-growth.

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) – produced by the local authority this will assess the impact of policies and whether targets are being met, and where necessary identify adjustments or revision to policies/proposals.

Appropriate Assessment -: Appropriate Assessment (AA) refer to stage 2 of the Habitat Directive process. It considers whetherthe impacts of a plan or project are assessed against the conservation objectives of a European Site, in order to identify whether there are likely to be any adverse effects on site integrity and site features. The purpose of appropriate assessment of local plans is to ensure that protection of the integrity of European sites is a part of the planning process at a regional and local level. The European sites concerned are known as Natura 2000 sites.

AQMA – see Air Quality Management Areas.

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - areas of national importance for their landscape character and appearance, within which the conservation and enhancement of their natural beauty is a priority. These are designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 by the Secretary of State for the Environment

Backland Development - can usually be defined as development on land behind the rear building line of existing housing or other development, and is usually land that is formally used as gardens, or is partially enclosed by gardens. It does not include sites where development, as opposed to access to the development, adjoins a public highway.

Baldslow Improvement - The Highways Agency is currently developing options for the Queensway to Baldslow link to the A21 Trunk Road.

Bexhill to Hastings Link Road – the current proposal by East Sussex County Council for a new road that will link the outskirts of Bexhill and Hastings. The link road will be 5.5km long and start at the A259 in Bexhill and end at Queensway just north of Crowhurst Road.

Biodiversity – the whole variety of life encompassing all genetic, species and ecosystem variations, including plants and animals.

Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) – a strategy prepared for a local area aimed at conserving and enhancing biological diversity.

BLATs – Battle Local Area Transport Strategy

Brownfield Land/Site - land which has previously been developed (see Previously Developed Land)

Building Regulations - regulations which are separate from planning but which have to be adhered to in the construction of development.

Catchment Flood Management Plan - A Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP) is a strategic planning tool through which the Environment Agency will seek to work with other key decision-makers within a river catchment to identify and agree policies for sustainable flood risk management.

CDRP - Crime Disorder Reduction Partnership - aims to provide information and resources to help practitioners involved in, or working with, partnerships to make them the most effective possible vehicle for tackling crime, anti-social behaviour, behaviour that adversely affects the local environment and substance misuse (including drugs & alcohol) at a local level.

CHP – see Combined Heat and Power.

Combined Heat and Power – CHP plants incorporate both power and heat from a single heat source.

Commitments - all proposals for development which are the subject of a current full or outline planning permission or are allocations in an existing Local Plan.

Community Infrastructure Levy - The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a new levy that local authorities can choose to charge on new developments in their area. The money can be used to support development by funding infrastructure that the council, local community and neighbourhoods want.

Community Strategy – a strategy all Local Authorities are required to produce in response to the Local Government Act 2000, with the aim of improving the future economic, social and environmental well being of the local area.

Commuted Payments - are monetary payments made through a legal agreement with the Council, which are ring-fenced to pay for specific infrastructure improvements, e.g. developers can sign a legal agreement that they will pay for highway improvements, for example a pedestrian crossing.

Comparison shops - Comparison shops provide items not obtained on a frequent basis. These include clothing, footwear, household and recreational goods.

Conservation Area- an area designated under the Town and Country Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 on account of its special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is intended to preserve and enhance.

Conservation Area Appraisal – this is a written and pictorial assessment of the special interest, character and appearance of a particular Conservation Area.

Contaminated Land – land that has been polluted or harmed in some way making it unfit for safe development and usage unless cleaned.

Convenience Shops - Convenience shops provide everyday essential items, including food, drinks, newspapers/magazines and confectionery

Core Strategy Development Plan Document – sets out the long–term vision for the future of the area, the spatial objectives and strategic policies to deliver that vision.

Cumulative Impact – where there are a number of developments in a locality, or a continuous activity over time that together may have an increased impact on the environment, local community or the local economy.

DEFRA – Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs - the UK Government department tasked with issues such as the environment, rural development, the countryside, wildlife, animal welfare and sustainable development.

Developer Contributions - contributions made to mitigate the impacts of development. This can be means of contributions of land, finance and works (aka "in-kind") and/or commitments regarding the future use and/or occupation of development(s) that are necessary, in planning terms, to enable the development concerned to go ahead.

Development Plan - the statutory development plan is the starting point in the consideration of planning applications for the development or use of land. The development plan consists of Regional Spatial Strategies prepared by the regional planning bodies; and Development Plan Documents prepared by the District Council, with Minerals and Waste Development Plan Documents, prepared by County Councils.

Development Plan Documents (DPDs) – These will replace the Local Plan and have the same status for decision-making. More than one DPD can be used to provide for the Development Plan at the local level. Types of DPDs include the Core Strategy, Site Specific Allocations and Area Action Plans.

Diversification – a term used to suggest the variation in use of a facility e.g. a playing field can be used by a variety of users for different recreational and sporting activities.

DPDs – see Development Plan Documents

EA – see Environment Agency

ESCC – East Sussex County Council

EH – see English Heritage

Employment Land - that which is in use for the following purposes – office, industrial and warehousing.

Employment Land Review - an assessment of the demand for and supply of land for employment purposes. The suitability of sites for employment development are assessed to safeguard the best sites in the face of competition from other higher value uses and help identify those which are no longer suitable for employment development which should be made available for other uses.

English Heritage (EH) - government advisors with responsibility for all aspects of protecting and promoting the historic environment. English Heritage is responsible for advising the government on the listing of historic buildings.

Environment Agency (EA) - incorporating the former National Rivers Authority, this body is responsible for wide-ranging matters, including the management of water resources, surface water drainage, flooding and water quality.

Environmental Stewardship Schemes – are agri-environment schemes which provide funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land.

Evidence Base - The information and data gathered by local authorities to justify the "soundness" of the policy approach set out in Local Development Documents, including physical, economic, and social characteristics of an area.

Exception Site – a site, located outside a development boundary that should only be used for affordable housing to address the needs of the local community by accommodating households who are either current residents or have an existing family or employment connection.

Farm Diversification - the development of farm-based, non-agricultural activities to help sustain the farm holding.

Floodplain - an area of land over which water flows in time of flood or would flow but for the presence of flood defences where they exist.

Flood Zone 1 (Low Probability) - this zone comprises land assessed as having a less than 1 in 1000 annual probability of river or sea flooding in any year (<0.1%).

Flood Zone 2 (Medium Probability) - this zone comprises land assessed as having between a 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 annual probability of river flooding (1% – 0.1%) or between a 1 in 200 and 1 in 1000 annual probability of sea flooding (0.5% – 0.1%) in any year.

Flood Zone 3a (High Probability) - this zone comprises land assessed as having a 1 in 100 or greater annual probability of river flooding (>1%) or a 1 in 200 or greater annual probability of flooding from the sea (>0.5%) in any year.

Flood Zone 3b (Functional Floodplain) - this zone comprises land where water has to flow or be stored in times of flood (land which would flood with an annual probability of 1 in 20 (5%) or greater in any year or is designed to flood in an extreme (0.1%) flood)

Government Office of the South East (GOSE) – one of nine regional offices by which a wide range of Government policies and programmes are delivered in the English regions. They act on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Greenfield Land or Site - Land (or a defined site) usually farmland, that has not previously been developed, also include allotments.

Gypsies and Travellers - Persons of nomadic habit of life whatever their race or origin, including such persons who on grounds only of their own or their family’s or dependants’ educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently, but excluding members of an organised group of travelling show people or circus people travelling together as such.(Circular 01/2006)

Habitat - the natural living space of a plant or animal

Hastings and Bexhill Task Force - a partnership of public sector organisations which came together in September 2001 to improve the area's economy. Its members are the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Hastings Borough Council, Rother District Council, East Sussex County Council, English Partnerships, the Government Office for the South East, the MP for Hastings & Rye and the MP for Bexhill & Battle.

Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) - The Habitats Directive protects habitats and non-avian species of European importance and applies to Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and the European Directive (79/409/EEC) on the Conservation of Wild Birds (Birds Directive), protects bird species of European importance and applies to Special Protection Areas (SPAs). These are known as the network of Natura 2000 Sites or "European Sites".

Highways Agency - An executive agency of the Department of Transport. The Highways Agency is responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network of England.

Housing Association - a non-profit making, independent organisation that provides housing; generally they provide accommodation for people in housing need who are unable to afford to buy or rent housing on the open market.

ICT - Information and Communication Technology.

Infill Development – development of a vacant site in a substantially developed frontage or area.

Infrastructure – the basic requirements for the satisfactory development of an area and include such things as roads, footpaths, sewers, schools, open space and other community facilities.

IDP - An Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) will identify what infrastructure is required to enable development proposed in the Core Strategy. The IDP will identify existing deficiencies and surpluses, identify what is required for the future, when it is needed, who is responsible for its provision, and how it will be funded. Infrastructure and services are provided by many different organisations, and the IDP is a vehicle through which integration between organisations can be achieved.

Intermediate Housing - housing at prices and rents above those of social rent, but below market price or rents. This can include shared equity schemes, such as HomeBuy, other low cost homes for sale and intermediate rent.

Key Workers – The Government’s definition of key workers includes those groups eligible for the Housing Corporation funded Key Worker Living programme and others employed within the public sector (ie outside of this programme) identified by the Regional Housing Board for assistance.

Landscape Character Assessment - an assessment to identify different landscape areas which have a distinct character based on a recognisable pattern of elements, including combinations of geology, landform, soils, vegetation, land use and human settlement.

LAP – see Local Action Plans.

Listed Building – a building of special architectural or historic interest as designated by English Heritage on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, this is a statutory listing.

Learning and Skills Council – non-departmental public body which began work in 2001, taking over the roles of the former Further Education Funding Council and Training and Enterprise Councils. It exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. They have a single goal: to improve the skills of England’s young people and adults to ensure we have a workforce of world-class standard.

LDF – see Local Development Framework

LDS – see Local Development Scheme

Local Action Plans (LAPs) - aim to help local communities take stock of their parish, or locality, and identify ways of enhancing it over the next few years. Many parishes in the district have produced or are producing Parish Plans/Action Plans.

Local Plan – adopted 2006 provides the current policy framework for the district.

Local Development Framework (LDF) – The collective terms for documents prepared by each Local Planning Authority to provide the framework for delivering the spatial planning strategy for the Local Planning Authority area

Local Development Scheme (LDS) – A document setting out the programme for the preparation of the Local Development Documents. It sets out a 3-year programme and includes information on consultation dates.

Local Distinctiveness – the particular positive features of a locality that contributes to its special character and sense of place, distinguishes one local area from another.

Local Nature Reserve (LNR) – an area designated by local authorities, in consultation with English Nature, under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, to provide opportunities for educational use and public enjoyment, in addition to protecting wildlife or geological and physiographical features of special interest.

Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) – a partnership of stakeholders who develop ways of involving local people in shaping the future of their neighbourhood in how services are provided. They are often single, multi-agency bodies which aim to bring together locally the public, private, community and voluntary sectors.

Local Transport Plan (LTP) - A five-year integrated transport strategy, prepared by local transport authorities in partnership with the community, seeking funding to help provide local transport projects. The plan sets out the resources predicted for delivery of the targets identified in the strategy. Local transport plans should be consistent with the policies and priorities set out in the Regional Transport Strategy as an integral part of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Locate East Sussex - is a service provided on behalf of the East Sussex Economic Partnership Limited (ESEP), the company set up to improve the economy of East Sussex. ESEP funding partners are the district and borough councils of East Sussex, East Sussex County Council and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

LPA – Local Planning Authority - The local government body responsible for formulating planning policies (in a local development framework), controlling development through determining planning applications and taking enforcement action when necessary. This is a district council, unitary authority, metropolitan council or national park authority.

LTP – see Local Transport Plan.

Market Housing - Private housing for rent or for sale, where the price is set in the open market.

Material Consideration - a matter that should be taken into account in deciding a planning application or on an appeal against a planning decision.

Mitigation Measures - those which are put in place to reduce or eliminate any harm caused e.g. building a house in an area of flood risk, the developer could build the house on stilted foundations to minimise the risk as a mitigation measure

Mixed Use – area or site where a mixture of commercial, retail and/or residential uses predominates.

Natural England - is a Non-Departmental Public Body of the UK Government. It was formed (vested) on 1 October 2006. It is responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, freshwater and marine environments, geology and soils are protected and improved. It also has a responsibility to help people enjoy, understand and access the natural environment.

Natura 2000 - European Union network of sites designated by Member States under the Birds Directive and under the Habitats Directive.

NEET – 16 to 18 year olds not in education, employment or training.

NVQ - National Vocational Qualifications - are work-related, competence-based qualifications. They reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job.

Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study - The Study undertook an audit and assessment of open space across the Rother district in accordance with the requirements in Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 17 (Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, July 2002) and its Companion Guide (September 2002). The Study assessed open space, sport and recreational needs of people living, working and visiting Rother, produced local provision standards and identified areas of surplus and deficiency based on quantity quality and accessibility across the district.

Parish Council - A type of local authority found in England which is the lowest, or first, tier of local government. They are elected bodies and are responsible for areas known as civil parishes. They cover only part of England; corresponding to 35% of the population, but cover all of Rural Rother excluding Battle and Rye (which are covered by Town Councils) and Bexhill.

PCT – See Primary Care Trust.

Place-Shaping - The “place-shaping” of settlements is the responsibility of the Council and all local partners in the public, voluntary and the business sectors. It is about creating attractive, prosperous and vibrant places where people want to live, work and do business.

Planning Obligations and Agreements - Legal agreements between a planning authority and a developer, or undertakings offered unilaterally by a developer, that ensure that certain extra works related to a development are undertaken, for example, the provision of highways. Sometimes called "Section 106" agreements

Planning Policy Statement (PPS)/Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) – Statements setting out the Government’s policy framework at the national level on planning issues such as housing, employment and rural areas, PPS’s replace existing Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)

Previously Developed Land – for the purposes of housing policy in PPS3, land which is or was occupied by a permanent (non-agricultural) structure and associated fixed surface infrastructure, including the curtilage of the development, in urban and rural areas, but excluding garden land. It excludes land and buildings that have been used for agricultural purposes, forest and woodland, and land in built-up areas, which has not been developed previously

Primary Care Trust (PCT) - Primary care is the care provided by people you normally see when you first have a health problem. It might be a visit to a doctor or a dentist, an optician for an eye test or a trip to a pharmacist to buy cough mixture. NHS walk-in centres and the NHS Directtelephone service are also part of primary care. All of these services are managed by your local Primary Care Trust (PCT).

RUS - Route Utilisation Strategies (RUSs) seek to balance capacity, passenger & freight demand, operational performance and cost, to address the requirements of funders and stakeholders. Network Rail develop Route Utilisation Strategies to cover the rail network, in conjunction with rail industry partners and wider stakeholders.

Ramsar Site – a wetland site of international importance (especially as a waterfowl habitat) designated by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Regional Economic Strategy for South East England (RES) – sets a 10 year framework for delivering economic aspirations and vision within the broader context of sustainable development.

Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) – non-statutory document produced by the regional offices of Government setting out guidance on the regional framework for the preparation of local authority development plans. RPG9 is the Regional Planning Guidance for the South East and will ultimately be replaced by the South East Plan.

Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) – document setting out the planning framework at the regional level. RSS’s are a statutory part of the Development Plan and replace Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) and Structure Plans. In the south-east region, this is The South East Plan.

Regional Transport Board - comprises six South East England Regional Assembly members and representatives from transport, environment and business sectors. It is responsible for the Regional Transport Strategy (RTS), which ensures transport projects in the region complement and support sustainable development. The RTS forms part of the South East Plan, the Assembly's 20-year planning vision.

Registered Historic Battlefield - the English Heritage Register of Historic Battlefields identifies forty-three important English battlefields. Its purpose is to offer them protection and to promote a better understanding of their significance.

Registered Parks and Gardens - since the 1980s, there has been a national record of the historic parks and gardens which make such a rich and varied contribution to our landscape. This record, known as the Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England and now containing nearly 1450 sites, was established, and is maintained by, English Heritage.

Registered Providers – Independent housing organisations that deliver, own and manage affordable housing across the UK. Registered Providers (RPs) register with the Homes & Communities Agency under the Housing Act 1996. Most are housing associations, but there are also trusts, co-operatives and private companies. The old definition of registered social landlord (“RSL”) has been replaced with the concept of registered providers of social housing. All providers of social housing are now listed on a register to become a “registered provider”. A key distinction between this system and the old system of RSLs is that a provider of social housing can now be either a non-profit organisation or a profit-making organisation. Each body is designated as one or the other upon being entered onto the register. RSLs automatically became non-profit registered providers under the new system. However, some non-profit registered providers that were previously RSLs could opt to include a profit-making registered provider in their group structure, in order to avoid some of the restrictions which are imposed on non-profit making bodies.

Registered Social Landlords (RSL) - these are independent housing organisations registered with the Housing Corporation under the Housing Act 1996. Most are housing associations, but there are also trusts, co-operatives and companies. This is now a dated term which has generally been replaced by ‘Registered Providers or RPs’ (the definition of which contains more explanation).

Renewable Energy - is energy flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment, for example from the wind, water flow, tides or the sun.

RP - see ‘Registered Providers’

RSL – see ‘Registered Social Landlords’

Run-off - that part of precipitation, snow melt, or irrigation water that runs off the land into streams or other surface water. It can carry pollutants from the air and land into the receiving waters.

Safer Rother Partnership - statutory members of the Partnership were Rother District Council, Sussex Police and East Sussex County Council – now also includes East Sussex Fire & Rescue, Hastings & Rother Primary Care Trust and Sussex Police Authority. The role of the Partnership is to work with other statutory and voluntary agencies within the Rother district to develop and implement a crime and disorder strategy.

Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) – is a building or structure, above or below ground, whose preservation is of national importance. Listed in a schedule that is compiled by the Secretary of State for Culture, Sports and Recreation.

Section 106 Agreement - A legal agreement under section 106 of the 1990 Town & Country Planning Act. Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between a planning authority and a developer, or undertakings offered unilaterally by a developer, that ensure that certain extra works related to a development are undertaken.

Sea Space - is the development company the Bexhill and Hastings Task Force set up in 2003 to put its economic development programme into action.

SEEDA – Refer to definition at ‘South East England Development Agency’

SEERA – Refer to definition at ‘South East England Regional Assembly’

Sequential Approach - a planning principle that seeks to identify, allocate or develop certain types or locations of land before others. For example, brownfield sites before greenfield sites or town centre retail sites before out-of-centre sites, or areas at low risk of flooding before areas of medium and high risk of flooding.

Shared Ownership - this is a scheme operated by a Housing Association where the borrower owns part of a property, and pays the mortgage on this, while a Housing Association owns the rest of the property, and the borrower pays rent on this.

SHLAA – See Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment

SHMA – See Strategic Housing Market Assessment

Site Allocations DPD - Development Plan Document (DPD) in the Local Development Framework that will identify specific sites between 2006 and 2026 in the district in line with the Core Strategy.

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – an area of special interest by reason of its flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features as identified by Natural England (formerly English Nature) and designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) – an area (non-statutory) designated by the Surrey Nature Conservation Liaison Group as being of county or regional wildlife value.

Small Market Town – the term ‘market town’ is used to mean towns roughly between 2,000 and 20,000 in population, with a history of, or potential of, supporting and servicing a rural hinterland. A ‘small market town’ is usually understood as above but with a population below 10,000.

SMART Growth - Smart growth means using comprehensive planning to guide, design, develop, revitalize and build communities for all that: have a unique sense of community and place; preserve and enhance valuable natural and cultural resources; equitably distribute the costs and benefits of development; expand the range of transportation, employment and housing choices in a fiscally responsible manner; value long-range, regional considerations of sustainability over short term incremental geographically isolated actions; and promote public health and healthy communities. Compact, transit accessible, pedestrian-oriented, mixed use development patterns and land reuse epitomize the application of the principles of smart growth.

Social rented - housing provided by a landlord, where access is on the basis of housing need, with rents no higher than target rents set by the government for housing association and local authority rents.

Soundness - a Development Plan Document is considered sound if it is based upon good evidence and has been prepared in accordance with all the necessary procedures including the measures set out in the authority's Statement of Community Involvement.

South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) – is the Government funded agency set up in 1999 for the economic and social development of the South East England. SEEDA is responsible for the preparation of the Regional Economic Strategy for South East England. However, the Government has announced that all Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), including SEEDA, will close by 31 March 2012.

South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) – one of nine regional bodies in England responsible for preparing Regional Spatial Strategies. This body comprises elected Councillors and representatives from various interested bodies in the region. SEERA represents the views of councils and communities in the South East. The Assembly has a strategic role, setting priorities for the region in six key work areas: regional planning; regional housing; regional transport; advocacy; alignment; accountability. It is also responsible for producing the South East Plan.

South East Plan (SEP) - once adopted, the South East Plan will provide the regional spatial strategy for the south east of England and will replace current planning policy – Regional Planning Guidance Note No.9.

Spatial Planning - spatial planning goes beyond traditional land use planning to bring together and integrate policies for the development and use of land with other policies and programmes which influence the nature of places and how they function. This will include policies which can impact on land use, for example, by influencing the demands on or needs for development, but which are not capable of being delivered solely or mainly through the granting of planning permission and may be delivered through other means.

Special Area of Conservation (SAC) - designated natural habitat areas to comply with the EEC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora Directive (92/43/EEC). Member States are required to identify sites for designation and establish measures necessary for conservation. (Together with SPAs, SACs form a network of European sites known as Natura 2000.)

Special Protection Area (SPA) – designated wild bird areas to comply with the EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds - (79/409/EEC); (Together with SACs, SPAs form a network of European Sites known as Natura 2000.)

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) – sets out the ways in which the Local Planning Authority will consult the community and stakeholders, not only on other LDDs but also on major planning applications.

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) – A background evidence study that examines the suitability of potential new sites for housing.

Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) – A background evidence study to the LDF examining the state of the housing market and housing needs of the district.

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) – these can be produced to provide policy guidance to supplement the policies and proposals in DPDs. However they do not form part of the Development Plan although they must undergo a formal process of consultation.

Sussex Enterprise - the largest business organisation in the county, they support and represent businesses in Sussex. Established as a business-led membership organisation in 1946, they are owned by Sussex businesses through their membership.

Sustrans - Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity. As a registered charity, Sustrans is dependent on funding from a wide range of sources including charitable trusts and companies, local and central government, non-departmental public bodies, and the European Union.

Statutory Development Plan - the Development Plan for an area which has been taken to statutory adoption. In other words, it has been through all the formal stages and has been approved by the relevant Government office and adopted by the Council.

Statutory Organisations/Consultees - organisations the Local Authority has to consult with at consultation stages of the Local Development Framework.

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) - An assessment of the likelihood of flooding in a particular area so that development needs and mitigation measures can be carefully considered.

Strategic Gap - area of largely open land between settlements, which helps to maintain the separate identity and amenity of settlements and prevent them merging together. The boundaries are defined in the Local Development Framework.

Structure Plan – The County Council’s former general strategy, policies and proposals for land use and transport over a period of about 15 years. It has been replaced the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Submission - the final stage in preparation of Development Plan Documents and the Statement of Community involvement. The documents are sent to the Secretary of State and an Independent Examination will be held.

Sustainability Appraisal (SA)/Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) – Local Planning Authorities are required to assess the environmental and sustainability impact of policies and proposals in Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents. This is a tool for appraising policies to ensure that they reflect sustainable development objectives, i.e. social environmental and economic factors.

Sustainable Communities – Places where people want to live and work, now and in the future. They meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of life. They are safe and inclusive, well planned, built and run, and offer equality of opportunity and good services for all.

Sustainable Construction -Construction that has due reference to the environment, for example in the materials it uses, the methods of construction and the installation of energy efficient and water conservation systems, e.g. use of solar panels and SUDS

Sustainable Development – Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; ensures a better quality of life for everyone now and for generations to come.

Sustainable transport – Often meaning walking, cycling and public use of transport, which is considered to be less damaging to the environment and that contributes less to traffic congestion than one-person car journeys.

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) – They include a range of different drainage systems that are designed to promote the filtration and evaporation of water as close to the source as possible and to break down pollutants. SUDS are an alternative to drainage through pipes directly to a watercourse and will help enhance water quality and biodiversity, maintain groundwater levels and reduce the risk of flooding.

Town Council - In England, town councils are civil parish councils, where the civil parish has declared itself to be a town. Civil parishes are the most local level of elected governance, under the district, unitary or county level. There are two in Rother district covering Rye and Battle.

Travel Plan – a document most commonly produced by/for a large employer which tends to generate a large number of journeys by car. The plans include measures to reduce car dependency and facilitate transport choice, by encouraging more sustainable alternatives to car use.

Travelling Showpeople - Members of a group organised for the purposes of holding fairs, circuses or shows (whether or not travelling together as such). This includes such persons who on the grounds of their own or their family’s or dependants’ more localised pattern of trading, educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently, but excludes Gypsies and Travellers as defined in ODPM Circular 1/2006.(Circular 04/2007)

Tree Preservation Order (TPO) – an Order made by a planning authority specifying trees which may not be lopped, topped or felled without consent, except where they become dead, dying or dangerous, when replacements may be required.

VAT Registered Business - a business must register for VAT (Value Added Tax) if their turnover for the previous 12 months is above £67,000. This is known as the VAT registration threshold. It changes regularly.

Vitality and Viability - in terms of retailing, vitality is the capacity of a centre to grow or to develop its level of commercial activity. Viability is the capacity of a centre to achieve the commercial success necessary to sustain the existence of the centre.

Wildlife Trust - Each of the 47 Wildlife Trusts (in the UK) is an independent, autonomous charity with its own trustees, whose primary concern is the conservation of nature within its own geographical area.

Windfall Site - a site not specifically allocated for development in a development plan, but which unexpectedly becomes available for development during the lifetime of a plan. Most "windfalls" are referred to in a housing context. They tend to be small sites for a small number of homes.