An independent review of land use planning, focusing on the link between planning and economic growth, published at the end of 2006.Further informationPlanning for a Sustainable Future: White Paper sets out proposals for reform of the planning system, including how we take decisions on nationally significant infrastructure projects.» Department for Communities and Local Government: Barker Review

Starting point of a project against which its success will be measured to assess improvements and successes.

Government scheme that acknowledges excellence and innovation in particular services within local government.Further information » The Beacon Scheme

Indicator that allows people to measure the impact or success of a project by comparing it against something similar.

Re-aligns the allocation of mainstream resources, such as the Police and health services, to better target the most deprived areas or problematic issues.

Superior performance within an area of policy, policy intervention or practice. It is usual for best practice to be rolled out to other areas or projects, developing widespread performance improvements.

Framework based on a set of nationally determined indicators that helps local authorities measure, manage and improve their performance. Replaced by the Comprehensive Performance Assessment.Further information » Department for Communities and Local Government

The National Lottery distributor formed by the merger of the Community Fund, the New Opportunities Fund and the Millennium Commission.Further informationBig Lottery Fund: Missions and Values (pdf)» Big Lottery Fund

Is produced from organic materials and is carbon neutral because the CO2 the product gives off while being burnt is equal to the CO2 absorbed during fuel production.Biomass can be used in microgeneration schemes for heating, hot water and to drive combined heat and power (CHP) units.

The collection, synthesis, analysis and management of quantitative data on biological communities.

Value of land or property that diminishes as a result of proposals for development.

Abbreviation for Black and Minority Ethnic group.

The world's longest established and most widely used environmental assessment for buildings. It sets the standards for best practice in sustainable development and demonstrates a level of achievement.Further information BREEAM fact file (pdf) 

Brown roofs are basically rubble roofs, which resemble brownfield sites in terms of biodiversity.

An area of land that has previously been used and which is suitable for redevelopment.Further informationHomes for the future: more affordable, more sustainable, sets out how we can make better use of land to create more affordable and more sustainable homes. This includes using brownfield land more effectively. The National Land Use Database describes the classification of land use and land cover and explains the stages in its development.» Environment Agency

Initiative to get local communities to participate in housing regeneration projects.

Notice served to protect an unlisted building perceived as being of architectural or historical interest. Gives temporary listed status lasting for six months.Further information What is a listed building?

Encourages businesses to become more involved in neighbourhood renewal. Administered by Business in the Community and the British Chambers of Commerce.

Policy transferred from the US where local businesses pay an additional levy on their business rates to finance environmental improvements, security, local events and improved marketing and promotion in order to improve business and local economic development.Further informationDevelopment and Implementation of Business Improvement Districts considers the factors that drive the establishment of BIDs, the characteristics and progress to date of current BIDs, and what the potential of BIDs might be in the future.» National BIDs Advisory Service

Designated site or area where planning permission is not required for certain developments. Overall aim is to enhance the regeneration of derelict and contaminated land.