(1) Appendix 1: GLOSSARY of key terms

Air Quality Management Areas: Any location within the boundaries of a Local Authority where the Air Quality Objectives are not likely to be achieved must be declared as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). The area may encompass just one or two streets, or it could be much bigger. The Local Authority is subsequently required to put together a plan to improve air quality in that area - a Local Air Quality Action Plan.

Built form: Buildings and their structures.

Cambridge Local Plan 2006: This is the currently adopted Local Plan which sets out the policies and proposals for developments within Cambridge up until 2016. It includes a number of detailed policies and allocations where the Council would like new development to occur.

Cambridge Local Plan 2014 Proposed Submission: Provides the policies and proposals for accommodating future developments within Cambridge up until 2031. The Plan is currently the subject of an independent examination. If found sound, the Plan will be adopted and will at that point replace the 2006 Local Plan. At this stage, this emerging document is in draft form only. It includes a number of detailed polices and draft allocations setting out how and where the Council would like future development to occur. 

Character and Form: A combination of: the layout of buildings and streets; the height and appearance of the buildings; the amount and distribution of open space; and the density of a development.

Concept plan: The concept design represents the initial response to the project brief.

Development principles: A set of principles which underpin the redevelopment of the Mill Road Depot site.

Density: Density is a method of measuring the intensity of development within a specified area. Density is calculated by dividing the number of homes by the site area in hectares. 

Design Code: A set of illustrated design rules and requirements which instruct and advise on the appearance, layout and form of development.

Framework Plan: A plan used to illustrate how established development principles and site constraints have directly informed the design of the masterplan.

Green Belt: A policy for controlling urban growth. The fundamental aim of green belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open, and consequently the most important attribute of green belts is their openness.

Green infrastructure: A strategically planned and delivered network comprising the broadest range of high quality green spaces and other environmental features.

Ground run up enclosure: A three-sided, open top facility, able to accommodate an aircraft while maintenance mechanics conduct high-power engine run-up inspections.

Hectare: An area of 10,000 square metres

Legibility/Legible: The degree to which a place can be easily understood and navigated.

Local Plan: Abbreviation used to describe the statutory plan adopted by the City Council.

Mitigation: The purpose of mitigation is to avoid, reduce and where possible remedy or offset any significant negative (adverse) effects on the environment etc. arising from the proposed development.

Parking Standards: Document setting out maximum permissible levels of car parking for various land uses, along with minimum levels of cycle parking.

Planning Applications: There are two possible approaches for the submission of a planning application. An 'outline' application establishes the broad principles of a development and sets development parameters, with more detailed matters submitted later as 'Reserved Matters' applications. Alternatively, a 'full application' would provide all details of the proposed development at the outset.

Public Realm: The areas of city or town (whether publicly or privately owned) that are available, without charge for everyone to use or see, including streets, parks and open spaces.

Planning and Development Brief: A planning policy document to help guide the preparation and assessment of future planning applications for specific sites coming forward for redevelopment.

Planning obligations: an established and valuable mechanism for securing planning matters arising from a development proposal. They are commonly used to bring development in line with the objectives of sustainable development as articulated through the relevant local, regional and national planning policies.

Radburn layout: A concept for planned housing estates, based on a design that was originally used in Radburn, New Jersey, United States.

South Cambridgeshire District Council Core Strategy 2007: The Core Strategy Development Plan Document (DPD) sets out the overall approach to development in the district. It reflects the strategy in the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Structure Plan 2003 with the focus on locating new development in the most sustainable locations, in this case close to Cambridge and in the proposed new town of Northstowe. These proposals are developed in detailed Area Action Plans. The emphasis of the new development is on housing, to help redress the current imbalance between jobs and houses.

Draft South Cambridgeshire District Local Plan: The Local Plan is a set of policies and land allocations that will guide the future of South Cambridgeshire district up to 2031.

Sustainability Appraisal (SA): Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is a compulsory requirement under the 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act and the 2001/42/ EEC European Directive. A process used to appraise planning policy documents in order to promote sustainable development. Social, environmental and economic aspects are all taken into consideration.

Sustainable Design and Construction SPD: This SPD provides guidance on the policies within the Cambridge Local Plan 2006 that relate to sustainability.

Sustainable Development: Sustainable Development is a broad term that encompasses many different aspects and issues from global to local level. Sustainable development can be described as 'Development, which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability for the future generations to meet their own needs' (after the 1987 Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development – the Brundtland Commission).

Sustainable Urban Drainage Strategy (SuDS): Sustainable urban drainage systems control and slow down surface water run off by mimicking natural drainage process in built-up areas. These systems include: areas for surface water storage; areas for water to infiltrate the ground slowly; and systems for limiting water flow.

Supplementary Planning Document (SPD): SPDs were established as part of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 in United Kingdom law. They may cover a range of issues, be broadly thematic or site-specific.

Urban morphology: The study of the form of human settlements and the process of their formation and transformation.