Adaptive reuse

The process of reusing an existing building in a different capacity to their original use.

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 facades with bays and porches
• lively internal uses visible from the outside, or spilling onto the street
• concentrations of activity at particular points.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Biodiversity Net Gain 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.

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, systems that can be repaired and reused. - Source: LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide

Defensible space

A buffer zone created between a development and the public realm to provide privacy to residents, particularly those in ground floor accommodation.

Design and Access Statement (DAS)

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.

Green infrastructure

A network of multifunctional green space, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities.

Green roofs (used interchangeably with biodiverse roofs)

A rooftop fully or partially covered with plants and/or vegetation.

Highway

A way over which the public has a right to pass and repass at all times without let or hindrance, either on foot or by vehicle, that follows a particular route.

Embodied carbon

The carbon emissions associated with the extraction and processing of materials and the energy and water consumption used by the factory in producing products and constructing the building. It also includes the 'in-use' stage (maintenance, replacement, and emissions associated with refrigerant leakage) and 'end of life' stage (demolition, disassembly, and disposal of any parts of product or building) and any transportation relating to the above. - Source: LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide

Invisible disabilities

A physical, mental or neurological condition that is not outwardly apparent to others, such as mental health conditions, autism, chronic pain, learning disabilities and sensory impairments.

Listed building

A listed building, or structure, which has been place 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.

Major project

Any application that involves:

• mineral extraction
• waste development
• residential development of 10 ore more dwellings
• residential development on a site area of 0.5ha or more and the number of dwellings is unknown
• development of floorspace of 1000m2 or more
• development of sites over 1ha.

Operational carbon (kgCO2e)

The carbon dioxide and equivalent global warming potential (GWP) of other gases associated with the in-use operation of the building. This usually includes carbon emissions associated with heating, hot water, cooling, ventilation, and lighting systems, as well as those associated with cooking, equipment, and lifts (i.e. both regulated and unregulated energy uses). - Source: LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide

Public realm

Publicly accessibly spaces between buildings allowing movement and interaction.

Retrofit

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

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 site of the street.

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)

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.

Whole life carbon

This includes embodied carbon, as defined above, and operational carbon. The purpose of using whole life carbon is to move towards a building or a product that generates the lowest carbon emissions over its whole life (sometimes referred to as 'cradle-to-grave'). - Source: LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide