Glossary

Amenity

The features of an area, place, open space, building or habitable room that contribute to its attractiveness and comfort. Harm can be caused to amenity though excessive overlooking or enclosure, loss of privacy, loss of outlook or loss of daylight and sunlight. The degree of harm will always be assessed on a case-by-case basis.


Area of Special Character

A designated area with unique architectural or townscape merits that are deemed important and require special consideration and protection.


Article 4 direction

A tool used by local planning authorities to remove some or all permitted development rights that apply to a particular site or area.


Biodiversity

The diversity of life on Earth which includes plants, animals, micro-organisms and bacteria.


Biodiversity crisis

A rapidly unfolding global phenomenon marked by unprecedented rates of species extinction, mainly due to human activities, such as land use changes, pollution and climate change.


Block of flats

A building consisting wholly of flats.


Brown roofs

Brown roofs are similar to living (or green) roofs. To encourage biodiversity, brown roofs usually utilise local soil and spoil and the roof will often initially be brown in colour. Over time plant species will grow over this substrate and the end result will be a green-coloured roof.


Building envelope

The weather-tight skin separating the interior of a building from its external environment. It is made up of the roof, walls, windows, doors and floors.


Building fabric

Made up of the elements that characterise the structure as a building, such as walls, roofs, internal surfaces, floors, stairs, landings, doors and windows.


Building regulations

National standards specifying the minimum requirements for building design and construction to ensure safety, health, and welfare of occupants.


Carbon emissions

The release of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.


Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Principal greenhouse gas related to climate change.


Carbon footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, that are generated by our actions. A carbon footprint can be calculated for an individual, family, company, etc.


Carbon neutral

A building is carbon neutral if its construction and running results in no net increase in atmospheric CO2.


Certificate of Lawfulness

A certificate granted by a Local Planning Authority (LPA) to confirm that either the existing or proposed use of buildings or land, operations or development on that building or land would be lawful for planning purposes and does not require planning permission.


Circular economy

An economic model that promotes sustainability by minimising waste and making the most of resources through recycling, reusing, and reducing.


Climate breakdown

Regional or global-scale changes in historical climate patterns arising from natural and/or man-made causes that produce an increasing mean global surface temperature.


Climate change

See 'climate breakdown'.


Climate Crisis

Global warming and climate change, and their consequences. The term has been used to describe the threat of global warming to the planet, and to urge mitigation measures.


Climate Emergency

The acknowledges the critical need for immediate action to address the climate crisis, to limit rising temperatures and mitigate the severe environmental and economic consequences.


Cold bridge

Occurs when a part of the building allows heat to pass through more easily, due to conductors of heat forming a ‘bridge’ between the inside and outside. This often occurs due to a gap in insulation in the building fabric, or a structural element penetrating through the insulation layer.


Conservation area

An area of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve or enhance the character or appearance.


Curtilage

The area of land surrounding a house, which forms the enclosure around that house. This usually includes the house itself and any gardens or land to the front, side, or rear of the property, including outbuildings and sheds.


Design code

A set of illustrated design requirements that provide specific, detailed parameters for the physical development of a site or area. The graphic and written components of the code should build upon a design vision, such as a masterplan or other design and development framework for a site or area.


Dwellinghouse

This is the formal term for a single residential house. For the purposes of the works covered in this guide, a dwellinghouse does not include a flat or a building containing one or more flats.


Energy efficiency

Making the best or most efficient use of energy in order to achieve a given output of goods or services, and of comfort and convenience. This does not necessitate the use of less energy, in which respect it differs from the concept of energy conservation.


Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Measure of a building’s energy efficiency, ranging from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It provides a certificate that indicates how energy efficient a property is.


Exemplar design

Waltham Forest’s underlying approach to ensuring that all new development in the borough delivers the highest architectural and design quality that responds positively to the existing character and context of the local area. Exemplar design is expected to be sustainable and inclusive, and to achieve community safety, good health outcomes, neighbourliness and resource efficiency.


Fabric first

Maximising the performance of the components and materials that make up a building, before considering the use of mechanical or electrical systems. A fabric first method can improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and reduce the need for maintenance.


Fossil fuels

Non-renewable energy sources, like coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the buried remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago.


Fuel poverty

Occurs when a household cannot afford to keep their home at a reasonable temperature, caused by a combination of low income, high energy prices and poor energy efficiency in the home.


GPDO The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order)

A statutory instrument which grants permitted development rights for certain works to buildings or within the curtilage of buildings.


Green roof

See 'living roof'.


Habitable rooms

A habitable room is any room used or intended to be used for sleeping, cooking, living or eating purposes. Enclosed spaces such as bath or toilet facilities, corridors, hallways, utility rooms or similar would not be considered habitable rooms.


Heritage asset

A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. It includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including Locally Listed Buildings).


Highway

An area of land for which there is a public right of way, such as a public road, public footpath, or bridleway.


Historic England

A public body that looks after England’s historic environment and provides advice on heritage matters.


Lightwell

An open area or vertical shaft in the centre of a building, typically roofed with glass, bringing natural light to the lower floors or basement.


Listed Building

A building that is included in a list compiled or approved by the Secretary of State under Section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, and for the purpose of the Act includes any object or structure fixed to the building or any object or structure within the curtilage of the building which, although not fixed to the building, forms part of the land and has done so since before 1st July 1948.


Listed Building Consent

Listed building consent is the mechanism by which planning authorities ensure that any changes to Listed Buildings are appropriate and sympathetic to their character. No fee is required for the application to the local authority for listed building consent.


Living roof

A self-regenerating roofing system that helps to support local biodiversity through natural materials and planting.


Local Development Order

A Local Development Order (LDO) is a planning tool used by a local planning authority (LPA) to grant planning permission for specific types of development within a defined area. This aims to streamline the planning process and remove the need for individual planning applications, while supporting positive development for the area.


London Plan

The London Plan is the spatial development strategy for Greater London, which is produced by the Mayor of London. The London Plan referred to within this Local Plan was published in 2021, and forms part of the statutory development plan for Waltham Forest.


Material consideration

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


Net zero carbon

A state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. This is achieved by reducing emissions through actions like switching to renewable energy, and through measures like planting trees or using carbon capture technology.


Passivhaus

Buildings constructed to Passivhaus standards achieve a 75% reduction in space heating requirements, compared to standard UK new build regulations. The Passivhaus criteria can also be applied to retrofit projects.


Permitted development

Works that can be undertaken without planning permission.


Planning permission

Formal permission from a Local Planning Authority (LPA) confirming that a proposed development is acceptable. An application to the LPA, for which there is usually a fee, is required for the LPA to determine whether Planning Permission should be granted.


Principal elevation

The front face of a building, typically facing onto a street and containing the main entrance door.


Prior approval

An application to the LPA to determine the acceptability of a proposal under permitted development. The application must be accompanied by: a written description of the proposed development, a plan indicating the site and showing the proposed development, the developer’s contact address, and the developer’s email address if the developer is content to receive communications electronically.


Reclaimed materials

Materials that have been used before either in buildings, temporary works or other uses and are re-used as construction materials. Using reclaimed materials where possible can reduce the carbon footprint of a build.


Renewable energy

Energy derived from a source that is continually replenished, such as wind, wave, solar, hydroelectric and energy from plant material, but not fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Although not strictly renewable, geothermal energy is generally included.


Retrofit

The addition or alteration of an existing building, to provide a component or feature that it did not have before. In addition to improving the appearance and function of a building, it is usually to improve the building’s energy efficiency.


Similar appearance

A material that matches an existing building in colour, form and texture.


Streetscape

A term used to describe the collective appearance of all buildings, footpaths, gardens and landscaping along a street.


Street scene

See 'streetscape'.


Supplementary Planning Documents

A Local Development Document that may cover a range of issues, thematic or site specific, and provides further detail of policies and proposals in a ‘parent’ Development Plan Document.


Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)

A sequence of water management practices and facilities designed to drain surface water in a manner that will provide a more sustainable approach than the conventional practice of routing run-off through a pipe to a watercourse.


Skylight

A window set in a roof or ceiling at the same angle.


Thermal bridge

See 'cold bridging'.


Thermal insulation

Materials used to minimise heat transfer between areas with different temperatures. Insulative materials have low thermal conductivity, and so act as a barrier from heat escaping from a warmer space, or entering a cooler one.


Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect

An effect where the average temperature of an area is higher than nearby rural areas. Urban heat island effect poses a serious risk to human health, and can be mitigated through soft landscaping, trees and planting.



Amenity

The features of an area, place, open space, building or habitable room that contribute to its attractiveness and comfort. Harm can be caused to amenity though excessive overlooking or enclosure, loss of privacy, loss of outlook or loss of daylight and sunlight. The degree of harm will always be assessed on a case-by-case basis.


Area of Special Character

A designated area with unique architectural or townscape merits that are deemed important and require special consideration and protection.


Article 4 direction

A tool used by local planning authorities to remove some or all permitted development rights that apply to a particular site or area.


Biodiversity

The diversity of life on Earth which includes plants, animals, micro-organisms and bacteria.


Biodiversity crisis

A rapidly unfolding global phenomenon marked by unprecedented rates of species extinction, mainly due to human activities, such as land use changes, pollution and climate change.


Block of flats

A building consisting wholly of flats.


Brown roofs

Brown roofs are similar to living (or green) roofs. To encourage biodiversity, brown roofs usually utilise local soil and spoil and the roof will often initially be brown in colour. Over time plant species will grow over this substrate and the end result will be a green-coloured roof.


Building envelope

The weather-tight skin separating the interior of a building from its external environment. It is made up of the roof, walls, windows, doors and floors.


Building fabric

Made up of the elements that characterise the structure as a building, such as walls, roofs, internal surfaces, floors, stairs, landings, doors and windows.


Building regulations

National standards specifying the minimum requirements for building design and construction to ensure safety, health, and welfare of occupants.


Carbon emissions

The release of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.


Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Principal greenhouse gas related to climate change.


Carbon footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, that are generated by our actions. A carbon footprint can be calculated for an individual, family, company, etc.


Carbon neutral

A building is carbon neutral if its construction and running results in no net increase in atmospheric CO2.


Certificate of Lawfulness

A certificate granted by a Local Planning Authority (LPA) to confirm that either the existing or proposed use of buildings or land, operations or development on that building or land would be lawful for planning purposes and does not require planning permission.


Circular economy

An economic model that promotes sustainability by minimising waste and making the most of resources through recycling, reusing, and reducing.


Climate breakdown

Regional or global-scale changes in historical climate patterns arising from natural and/or man-made causes that produce an increasing mean global surface temperature.


Climate change

See 'climate breakdown'.


Climate Crisis

Global warming and climate change, and their consequences. The term has been used to describe the threat of global warming to the planet, and to urge mitigation measures.


Climate Emergency

The acknowledges the critical need for immediate action to address the climate crisis, to limit rising temperatures and mitigate the severe environmental and economic consequences.


Cold bridge

Occurs when a part of the building allows heat to pass through more easily, due to conductors of heat forming a ‘bridge’ between the inside and outside. This often occurs due to a gap in insulation in the building fabric, or a structural element penetrating through the insulation layer.


Conservation area

An area of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve or enhance the character or appearance.


Curtilage

The area of land surrounding a house, which forms the enclosure around that house. This usually includes the house itself and any gardens or land to the front, side, or rear of the property, including outbuildings and sheds.


Design code

A set of illustrated design requirements that provide specific, detailed parameters for the physical development of a site or area. The graphic and written components of the code should build upon a design vision, such as a masterplan or other design and development framework for a site or area.


Dwellinghouse

This is the formal term for a single residential house. For the purposes of the works covered in this guide, a dwellinghouse does not include a flat or a building containing one or more flats.


Energy efficiency

Making the best or most efficient use of energy in order to achieve a given output of goods or services, and of comfort and convenience. This does not necessitate the use of less energy, in which respect it differs from the concept of energy conservation.


Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Measure of a building’s energy efficiency, ranging from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It provides a certificate that indicates how energy efficient a property is.


Exemplar design

Waltham Forest’s underlying approach to ensuring that all new development in the borough delivers the highest architectural and design quality that responds positively to the existing character and context of the local area. Exemplar design is expected to be sustainable and inclusive, and to achieve community safety, good health outcomes, neighbourliness and resource efficiency.


Fabric first

Maximising the performance of the components and materials that make up a building, before considering the use of mechanical or electrical systems. A fabric first method can improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and reduce the need for maintenance.


Fossil fuels

Non-renewable energy sources, like coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the buried remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago.


Fuel poverty

Occurs when a household cannot afford to keep their home at a reasonable temperature, caused by a combination of low income, high energy prices and poor energy efficiency in the home.


GPDO The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order)

A statutory instrument which grants permitted development rights for certain works to buildings or within the curtilage of buildings.


Green roof

See 'living roof'.


Habitable rooms

A habitable room is any room used or intended to be used for sleeping, cooking, living or eating purposes. Enclosed spaces such as bath or toilet facilities, corridors, hallways, utility rooms or similar would not be considered habitable rooms.


Heritage asset

A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. It includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including Locally Listed Buildings).


Highway

An area of land for which there is a public right of way, such as a public road, public footpath, or bridleway.


Historic England

A public body that looks after England’s historic environment and provides advice on heritage matters.


Lightwell

An open area or vertical shaft in the centre of a building, typically roofed with glass, bringing natural light to the lower floors or basement.


Listed Building

A building that is included in a list compiled or approved by the Secretary of State under Section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, and for the purpose of the Act includes any object or structure fixed to the building or any object or structure within the curtilage of the building which, although not fixed to the building, forms part of the land and has done so since before 1st July 1948.


Listed Building Consent

Listed building consent is the mechanism by which planning authorities ensure that any changes to Listed Buildings are appropriate and sympathetic to their character. No fee is required for the application to the local authority for listed building consent.


Living roof

A self-regenerating roofing system that helps to support local biodiversity through natural materials and planting.


Local Development Order

A Local Development Order (LDO) is a planning tool used by a local planning authority (LPA) to grant planning permission for specific types of development within a defined area. This aims to streamline the planning process and remove the need for individual planning applications, while supporting positive development for the area.


London Plan

The London Plan is the spatial development strategy for Greater London, which is produced by the Mayor of London. The London Plan referred to within this Local Plan was published in 2021, and forms part of the statutory development plan for Waltham Forest.


Material consideration

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


Net zero carbon

A state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. This is achieved by reducing emissions through actions like switching to renewable energy, and through measures like planting trees or using carbon capture technology.


Passivhaus

Buildings constructed to Passivhaus standards achieve a 75% reduction in space heating requirements, compared to standard UK new build regulations. The Passivhaus criteria can also be applied to retrofit projects.


Permitted development

Works that can be undertaken without planning permission.


Planning permission

Formal permission from a Local Planning Authority (LPA) confirming that a proposed development is acceptable. An application to the LPA, for which there is usually a fee, is required for the LPA to determine whether Planning Permission should be granted.


Principal elevation

The front face of a building, typically facing onto a street and containing the main entrance door.


Prior approval

An application to the LPA to determine the acceptability of a proposal under permitted development. The application must be accompanied by: a written description of the proposed development, a plan indicating the site and showing the proposed development, the developer’s contact address, and the developer’s email address if the developer is content to receive communications electronically.


Reclaimed materials

Materials that have been used before either in buildings, temporary works or other uses and are re-used as construction materials. Using reclaimed materials where possible can reduce the carbon footprint of a build.


Renewable energy

Energy derived from a source that is continually replenished, such as wind, wave, solar, hydroelectric and energy from plant material, but not fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Although not strictly renewable, geothermal energy is generally included.


Retrofit

The addition or alteration of an existing building, to provide a component or feature that it did not have before. In addition to improving the appearance and function of a building, it is usually to improve the building’s energy efficiency.


Similar appearance

A material that matches an existing building in colour, form and texture.


Streetscape

A term used to describe the collective appearance of all buildings, footpaths, gardens and landscaping along a street.


Street scene

See 'streetscape'.


Supplementary Planning Documents

A Local Development Document that may cover a range of issues, thematic or site specific, and provides further detail of policies and proposals in a ‘parent’ Development Plan Document.


Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)

A sequence of water management practices and facilities designed to drain surface water in a manner that will provide a more sustainable approach than the conventional practice of routing run-off through a pipe to a watercourse.


Skylight

A window set in a roof or ceiling at the same angle.


Thermal bridge

See 'cold bridging'.


Thermal insulation

Materials used to minimise heat transfer between areas with different temperatures. Insulative materials have low thermal conductivity, and so act as a barrier from heat escaping from a warmer space, or entering a cooler one.


Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect

An effect where the average temperature of an area is higher than nearby rural areas. Urban heat island effect poses a serious risk to human health, and can be mitigated through soft landscaping, trees and planting.