Planning permission can feel like a completely different language if you’re a homeowner or developer approaching a project for the first time. This A–Z guide explains common UK planning terms in plain English so you can better understand the process.
A — Acknowledgement
A formal notification delivered to the applicant (or agent) confirming the application has been registered with the local authority.
A — Approval
A positive decision for a planning application.
A — Approval of Reserved Matters
Used in outline planning permissions. This is when the details such as appearance, landscaping, layout, access, and scale are approved after outline permission has been granted.
A — Appeal
Method of challenging a refusal of a planning application. This is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate who act as a third party between applicant and local authority.
A — Applicant
The person submitting the planning application. They may employ an Agent to mange the application on their behalf.
A — Agent
The professional employed by the applicant to submit and manage the planning application. Often a Planning Consultant, though can also be an Architect.
A — Arboriculturist
The people who look after trees. This professional will carry out a tree survey associated with your proposal and provide a supporting report to justify tree removal, adjustment or introduction of new trees.
A — Article 4 Direction
A Planning Policy that controls development within a defined area or attributed to one particular property. This does not prevent development, just means that an application is necessary so that the local authority can monitor proposed development.
B — Brownfield Land
Previously developed land, often containing old buildings or industrial sites, that may be suitable for redevelopment.
B — Biodiversity Net Gain
A piece of legislation outside of Planning Policy that ensures existing ecology is retained and even increased or improved following development. Does not apply to Householder applications. There are some other exclusions too. In principle, it seeks to add 10% to biodiversity that is removed by any development.
B — Block & Location plan
These are site plans at different scales of drawing based upon Ordnance Survey Plans that show the difference between existing and proposed in simple plan form.
C — Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
A charge levied by local authorities on new development to help fund infrastructure such as roads, schools, and public transport. Does not generally apply to Householder applications – check with your local authority first.
C — Case Officer
A Planning Case Officer is the person within the local authority planning department that manages the application process and delivers a decision upon completion.
C — Consultees
Persons or bodies who comment upon a planning application.
C — Consultation Period
A fixed time period for consultees to submit any comments they may have (positive or negative) towards the proposed development.
D — Design & Access Statement
A document submitted with many planning applications explaining the design principles, site context, access arrangements, and how the proposal fits the surroundings.
E — Enforcement Notice
Issued by the local authority when development has been carried out without permission or not in accordance with approved plans.
E — Ecologist
A professional employed to review existing ecology and how it will be managed through any proposed development. They measure numbers of species and propose appropriate mitigation to protect it going forwards.
F — Full Planning Permission
A planning application where all details of the proposal are submitted and approved in one application.
G — Green Belt
Land designated to prevent urban sprawl and keep land permanently open. Development in the Green Belt is heavily restricted.
H — Householder Application
A planning application for works to a single dwelling, such as extensions, loft conversions, and outbuildings.
H — Heritage Statement
A document written by a Heritage Consultant that describes the details and value of a historic or Listed Building. This report will tell you what needs to be retained within a proposal due to heritage value.
L — Local Authority
The governing body that will procure your planning application (amongst other roles and responsibilities).
L — Local Plan
Planning Policy specifically for each respective Local Authority. Whilst principles will be the same from one authority to another, they are not identical. They are all written under the guidance of the National Planning Policy Framework.
L — Listed Building Consent
Required for any works that affect the character of a listed building, inside or outside.
M — Material Considerations
Factors that councils must consider when deciding planning applications, such as design, overlooking, traffic, noise, and local planning policies.
N — National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
The main national planning policy document that guides local planning policy and planning decisions across England.
O — Outline Planning Permission
Permission granted in principle for development, with details approved later through Reserved Matters applications.
P — Permitted Development
Certain types of development that do not require planning permission, subject to size and location limits. Controlling policies here are different from local planning policy.
P — Planning Inspector
An independent official who decides planning appeals through the Planning Inspectorate.
R — Reserved Matters
The detailed aspects of a development (appearance, landscaping, layout, scale, access) approved after outline permission.
R — Refusal
A negative decision for a planning application. Take care to avoid this decision if you are not mindful to appeal. Applications can be withdrawn, which can make resubmission easier.
S — Subservience
A term used by planners to describe an extension being less than its host building, generally used to enable an easy visual demonstration of an extension.
S — Section 106 Agreement
A legal agreement between a developer and the council to provide financial contributions such as affordable housing, highways works, or environmental benefits.
T — Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
Protection placed on specific trees that prevents them from being cut down or pruned without council permission.
U — Use Class
The category that defines how a building or land can be used, such as residential (C3), retail (E), or industrial (B).
V — Validation
The process where the council checks that a planning application has all required drawings, documents, and fees before it is officially registered.
W — Withdrawal
When a planning application is withdrawn before a decision is made. A useful method to avoid a refusal and having to tackle those reasons for refusal on a resubmission directly.
Final Thoughts
Understanding planning terminology makes the whole planning process far less confusing and helps homeowners and developers make better decisions early in a project. If you understand the language of planning, you are already one step ahead in the development process.