Some development does not require specific planning permission. Blanket permission is given by the GDPO.

Government agency which trains and supplies planning inspectors and deals with the administrative arrangements for appeals.

Agreements associated with the grant of planning permission. The most common are section 106 agreements and unilateral undertakings. However they can include highways agreements and other agreements relating to infrastructure (see section 38 agreement, section 278 agreement and section 104 agreement).

A bill introduced to give effect to the Government's policy of reforming the planning system and the TCPA, currently predicted to obtain royal assent in March 2004.

Sub-committee of a local planning authority with power to make most planning decisions. Made up of elected councillors in proportion to the political complexion of the council itself. Planning officers make recommendations to the planning committee. Members of the committee are not bound to follow these recommendations.

A notice served by a local planning authority requesting certain information from an owner or occupier of land, where it suspects a breach of planning control.

Some local planning authorities request - and some developers offer - benefits which go beyond a legitimate planning obligation and have little connection with the development in question, sometimes raising the suspicion that planning permission has been "bought". Planning permission granted in return for unconnected planning gain is subject to challenge by third parties.

An inspector appointed by the First Secretary of State to conduct a public inquiry.

A benefit to the community arising out of the grant of planning permission. Major development will almost always have an impact outside the boundaries of the application site. Legitimate additional works, such as highway improvements or a new school, may be required, usually under a section 106 agreement. At an appeal, planning obligations may be offered in the form of a unilateral undertaking.

An employee of a local planning authority, normally qualified as a town planner. Planning Officers are responsible for all aspects of planning including development control, development plans, enforcement and conservation.

Permission to carry out development issued by a local planning authority. Planning permission for buildings may be outline, where the principle is approved subject to the submission of further applications for approval of reserved matters. Planning permission is normally issued subject to conditions and will lapse if the development is not started within a stated period of time.

Government policy notes which are periodically updated and contain advice on a wide variety of planning issues. For example, PPG6 deals with "Town Centres and Retail Developments" and contains the sequential test. PPG2 covers policies relating to green belts. PPG13 relates to transport. PPG will be replaced by PPS.

The new form of Government policy notes which will replace PPG.

An inquiry held by a planning inspector into the refusal or non-determination of a planning application. The planning inspector may have the power to make the decision. For call-in inquiries, the inspector will report to the First Secretary of State who makes the final decision.

Land used by the public for recreation or as gardens which enjoys special protection. The loss of public open space is generally not permitted without replacement or payment of a commuted sum.

Planning applications have to be publicised in a number of ways. Freehold owners of land in respect of which permission is sought and tenants with leases of seven years or more must be notified by the applicant. The local planning authority has duties to notify neighbours by letter, site notice and, sometimes, newspaper advertisements.