oooh Can of worms!!!
I don't know what VSA is either.
On the occasion that we descended when we were not cleared i.e "track to right base" surely it would be up to us as to where we wanted to join the final approach track in terms of distance from the threshhold, no vector was given after all, and the shorter the distance the lower we would need to be(no noise abatement here) Perhaps the ATCO should have said, "Track to right base maintain 3000ft and establish on a 6 mile final" then once traffic permitted he could then give "cleared visual approach" so now if I havent made it to the six mile final position I can do what I like and cut in short.
Anyway all I realy wanted to know was, was "cleared unrestricted visual approach" standard terminology and I think you have answered my question.
Thanks water wings, from now on I will ensure no ambiguity and say "requesting visual approach"
Thanks for the replies.