Active frontage

The design of frontages can add interest, life and vitality to the street and public realm. Frontages are considered active if they have:

• frequent doors and windows without blank walls
• articulated façades with bays and porches
• lively internal uses visible from the outside, or spilling onto the street
• concentrations of activity at particular points

Basement Impact Assessment (BIA)

A technical report that evaluates the potential impacts of a proposed basement development on the site and surrounding area.

Building fabric

The components and materials that the building is made of e.g. the walls, floors, roof, windows and doors.

Biodiversity Net Gain

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) delivers measurable improvements for biodiversity by creating or enhancing habitats in association with development. Biodiversity Net Gain can be achieved on-site, off-site or through a combination of on-site and off-site measures. See the Natural Environment planning practice guidance for more detail.

Bio-based (materials)

These are materials derived from renewable biological sources such as plant, animal or microorganism matter or by using biomass such as agricultural crops, algae and agricultural waste. These offer an alternative to conventional materials that require fossil fuels.

Circular economy

A circular economy is an industrial system that is restorative or regenerative by intention and design. It replaces the linear economy and its 'end of life' concept with restoration, shifts towards the use of renewable energy, eliminates the use of toxic chemicals and aims for the elimination of waste through the design of materials, products and systems that can be repaired and reused. – Source: LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide

Conservation Area

An area identified as being of special architectural or historic interest. The London Borough of Bexley has 23 Conservation Areas, please check with development management to ascertain if your proposals are located within one.

Design and Access Statement

A report submitted to accompany and support a planning application that outlines the social, visual and physical impact of a proposed development, with reference to how the development sits within, and draws from, its context.

Habitable room

A habitable room is one used, or intended to be used, for dwelling and domestic purposes. The use of habitable room is subject to its context and applicants should refer to individual Building Regulation Approved documents for clarity.

Habitable window

A window to a room used, or intended to be used, for dwelling and domestic purposes.

Host building

An existing building within a development site which is normally positioned within a street facing location.

Listed building

A listed building, or structure, which has been placed on the statutory list (the National Heritage List for England – NHLE) which is maintained by Historic England.

Statutory listing covers 3 grades, being Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II. Grade I listed buildings are of exceptional interest; Grade II* are particularly important buildings which are of more than special interest; and, Grade II are of special interest. Most buildings and structures are Grade II, with examples which are of particular historic or architectural interest being graded higher.

Any works, generally speaking, which would involve the alteration or extension to a listed building would require the benefit of Listed Building Consent.

Massing

A building's three dimensional shape and size, made up by its height, width, depth and form.

Parge coat

A thin layer of mortar applied to concrete or masonry to improve the performance of an external wall.

Public realm

Publicly accessible spaces between buildings allowing movement and interaction.

Protected garden area

The primary areas of use within a rear garden which should be afforded privacy from neighbouring gardens and properties.

Roofscape

A view of roofs, particularly in terms of its aesthetic appeal.

Retrofit

The process of adding new or modified components or systems to an existing building to improve its performance, efficiency or safety.

Self-contained

A self-contained residential unit is a property that includes all essential living facilities within the unit, such as a kitchen, bathroom, and living area, available for exclusive use by its occupants.

Street scene

The appearance of all of the elements of a street, including the carriageway, footway, cycle paths, street furniture, planting, trees, and the buildings or structures along its edges, particularly the composition of buildings on each side of the street.

Subservient

A development that is secondary or subordinate to the original building in terms of height, scale, massing, form and overall impact on the existing building.

Sustainable drainage systems

Features designed to reduce flood risk, which are built to receive surface water run-off, such as constructed wetlands, permeable surfaces, retention ponds, green roofs and swales.