Access rights
Legal rights enabling a person or land to pass over another property. The route, users, vehicles, maintenance and ability to serve new homes all matter.
Backland development
Development on land behind existing street-fronting properties, commonly involving garden or former ancillary land and a side access.
Brownfield land
Previously developed land as defined in national policy. Not every garden or piece of hardstanding meets the definition.
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
A locally set charge that may apply to qualifying development to help fund infrastructure. Rates, exemptions and procedures vary.
Conditional contract
A binding sale contract that completes only when stated conditions—often an acceptable planning permission—are satisfied or waived.
Development viability
An assessment of whether a scheme can reasonably meet its costs, obligations and risks while supporting land value and an appropriate return.
Easement
A legal right benefiting one piece of land over another, such as a right of way or a right to run services.
Full planning permission
Permission approving the detailed development proposal, subject to conditions and any obligations.
Infill development
Development of a gap or underused plot within an existing built-up frontage or settlement pattern.
Land value uplift
An increase in value associated with a change in development potential, often after planning permission; it is not guaranteed.
Option agreement
An agreement giving a party a time-limited right, but usually not an obligation, to buy land under defined terms.
Outline planning permission
Permission establishing whether the principle of development is acceptable, with specified detailed matters reserved for later approval.
Overage
A contractual right for a seller to receive an additional payment if a defined future event increases value.
Pre-application advice
Non-binding feedback from a local planning authority before a formal application, normally based on the information supplied at that time.
Promotion agreement
An arrangement under which a promoter seeks planning and markets land, usually sharing net sale proceeds under agreed terms. ARM Developments does not imply that this structure is offered in every case.
Red-line boundary
The application-site boundary shown on a planning location plan. It should include all land needed for the development and access.
Section 106 agreement
A planning obligation used to secure measures needed to make development acceptable, which may include affordable housing or site-specific infrastructure.
Settlement boundary
A policy boundary used by some local plans to distinguish built-up areas from countryside for development-management purposes.
Title plan
An HM Land Registry plan showing the property’s location and general—not normally exact—boundaries.
Tree Preservation Order
A legal protection applying to particular trees or woodlands. Work normally requires consent unless an exemption applies.
Use the definitions as a starting point
Contract wording and planning policy must be read in context. If a term affects a proposed agreement, ask your independent solicitor or adviser to explain how it applies to you.