Term
Technical meaning
What it actually means
Access track
A road or pathway built to allow vehicles and deliveries onto the project site.
A road built so vehicles can get to site.
Abnormal Indivisible Load (AIL)
Very large or heavy item that cannot be divided into smaller loads and therefore requires special transport arrangements.
Big piece of equipment (like a turbine blade) that needs special delivery.
Ancillary use
A secondary use related to but not essential to the primary use of buildings or land.
A building or land is used for a secondary purpose that isn’t essential to the main use.
Appeals
The process whereby a planning applicant can challenge an adverse decision.
A process to challenge a decision about planning permission/conditions.
Blade
Structure that catches the wind to turn the rotor.
Long arms of the wind turbine that spin in the wind.
Borrow pit
An excavation area where construction materials like soil, gravel and sand are collected.
A temporary small quarry dug to get materials to build the project.
Cable route
A path along which cables are laid to connect a project to the electricity grid.
The route where power cables are put.
Change of use
Planning permission is required for the material change of use of a property or land.
Switching what a property or land is mainly used for.
CfD (Contracts for Difference)
A government initiative guaranteeing a fixed price for electricity produced for the first 15 years.
A 15-year fixed price scheme for renewable energy developers.
Commissioning
Process involving tests and checks to ensure a turbine complies with all regulations.
Final step that means the turbine is fully set up.
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
A planning charge allowing local authorities to raise funds from developers for infrastructure.
A fee some local authorities charge developers to pay for infrastructure needed for a project.
Conservation area
Areas of special architectural or historic interest that must be preserved or enhanced.
An area whose history or appearance is so special it must be looked after.
Cultural heritage
Physical remains of historic or significant human activity, such as buildings and monuments.
Old buildings, landmarks or sites that need to be looked after.
Decision notice
A formal, written document stating a decision made by a planning authority.
Legal document stating the planning authority’s decision.
Safely dismantling and removing wind turbines that have reached the end of their life.
Taking down a turbine that no longer works.
Distribution
Transfer of electricity to homes and businesses.
Delivering electricity to streets and houses.
Discharge of conditions
Conditions attached to planning approvals that must be satisfied before construction.
Criteria that must be met before construction can begin.
DNS (Developments of National Significance)
A type of planning application for large infrastructure projects in Wales.
Planning process for large projects that affect the whole country.
Ecology
Science of the relationships among living organisms and their environment.
Study of how animals, plants and people live together in nature.
EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)
Assessment of the environmental consequences of a project.
A detailed check of how a project might affect the environment.
EIA Scoping Request / “Scoping”
Identifies and defines the scope of an environmental impact assessment.
First step where planners decide what environmental issues need to be looked at.
Environmental Statement (ES)
Information provided by an applicant as part of an EIA planning application.
A report explaining possible impacts on the environment.
Examination
Stage where the application is reviewed in detail through hearings and written evidence.
Detailed check of an application.
Foundation
The base structure that supports the turbine and transfers loads to the ground.
The underground base that keeps the turbine standing securely.
Geology
Study of the Earth, its materials and their structure.
Study of rocks and the ground.
Greenfield land
Open land that hasn’t previously been developed.
Undeveloped open land (e.g. farmland).
Grid
The network of power lines that delivers electricity across the country.
The system that carries electricity.
Grid connection
Process of linking a new project to the electricity grid.
Plugging the project into the national electricity system.
Habitat Management Plan (HMP)
A long-term plan (30+ years) to manage land for biodiversity net gain.
A plan to improve nature and wildlife around a project.
A formal meeting where evidence is presented and discussed.
A meeting to talk through an application and hear different views.
Hub
The central part of the rotor where the blades are attached.
The middle part where the blades connect.
Hydrology
Scientific study of the movement, distribution, and management of water.
Study of how water moves.
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)
A process to assess effects of a development on landscape and views.
A study of how a project will impact local scenery.
Local Development Documents (LDDs)
Orders made by planning authorities granting permission for specific developments.
Orders granting planning permission for projects that bring social, economic, or environmental benefits.
Local Development Framework (LDF)
A folder containing all the local planning authority’s development documents.
A folder with all of a council’s planning documents.
Meteorological (Met) mast
Freestanding towers measuring wind and weather conditions.
A tall, temporary pole with sensors to measure wind and weather.
Nacelle
The housing at the top of a wind turbine tower containing key components.
The box at the top of a turbine that holds important parts.
NESO Gates
Criteria set by the National Energy System Operator to evaluate grid connections.
Steps a project must meet before plugging into the national grid.
Non-statutory consultation
Consultation carried out voluntarily, not legally required.
Optional community engagement.
Non-statutory consultee
Organisations or individuals consulted voluntarily.
People or groups developers aren’t required to ask, but choose to.
Notification to submit
Formal notice that an application or document must be submitted by a date.
A message setting a paperwork deadline.
Ornithology
Scientific study of birds.
Point of connection
Specific location where a project connects to the national grid.
The point where a project plugs into the grid.
Pre-application consultation (PAC)
Required consultation with communities and consultees before applying planning permission.
Talking to the public and organisations before applying for planning permission.
Previously developed land (Brownfield land)
Land lawfully developed with permanent structures.
Land that has or had buildings on it.
Residential Visual Amenity Assessment (RVAA)
Assesses visual impact of a project on nearby homes.
A study of how a project affects people’s views from their homes.
Rotor
The mechanism that spins the wind turbine.
The spinning blades of a turbine.
Shadow flicker
Flickering shadows caused by rotating turbine blades under certain conditions.
A flashing shadow effect from turbine blades when the sun is behind them.
Spatial planning
Planning that considers wider factors beyond land use, such as transport.
Taking into account wider factors like transport and utilities when planning.
Statutory consultee
Organisations legally required to be consulted before decisions.
Official bodies that must be asked for advice about a project, such as the local authorities, national parks or CADW.
Statutory undertakers
Organisations with legal powers to operate utility services.
Companies allowed by law to run services like gas, water, or electricity.
Strategic flood risk assessment
A study to assess flooding risk for an area, now and in the future.
Substation
Contains transformers to increase or decrease voltage.
A place where electricity is converted so it can be used or moved safely.
A temporary halt in the examination process.
Switchgear
Electrical system with switches, fuses, or breakers to control and protect.
Safety equipment that turns power on or off to protect the system.
Transformer
Equipment used to change the voltage of electric current.
Increases or decreases electricity strength so it can travel safely.
Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
A legal mechanism to protect trees of value.
An order that means a tree can’t be cut without special permission.
Transmission
Transfer of electricity at high voltage across the UK.
Electricity sent from power stations to towns and homes.
Validation
Process where authorities check that all required documents are included.
Checking an application is complete before it’s formally accepted.
Vantage point
A viewpoint where something can be assessed visually.
A place where you can look at the landscape.
Visual receptors
A visual receptor is an individual, group of people, or location that may experience a change in the visual environment as a result of a proposed development. Visual receptors can include residential properties, public rights of way, recreational areas, transportation corridors, designated scenic viewpoints, and valued landscapes or heritage sites. Their sensitivity is assessed based on factors such as use, expectations, and the importance of the view.
A visual receptor just means any person or place that could see the project and be affected by how it looks. This could be neighbours, people driving or walking nearby, hikers on a trail, or visitors to a park with scenic views.
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