Bath and North East Somerset › Guides

What do these terms mean?

Plain-English guides to the planning and environment terms on our postcode and address pages. Each one links to the official source.

• Flood zones 1, 2 and 3. River and sea flood risk for an area of land, in three levels.
• Listed building grades (I, II*, II). Protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest.
• Conservation areas. Areas with special character that the council protects.
• Article 4 directions. A council rule that removes some "no application needed" rights.
• Tree preservation orders. Legal protection for specific trees, groups or woodlands.
• Agricultural land grades. A 1 to 5 scale of how good farmland is.

General information, not legal, planning or surveying advice. Check with the council and a qualified professional before relying on it.