Design and Access Statements for Planning

This is a document required at the planning stage of a development to describe the design thinking behind a proposed scheme. Local Authorities now require most outline, full planning and listed building applications to be accompanied by a Design and Access Statement, with the exception of alterations to single dwellings and material changes of use where no development is proposed.
A comprehensive guide produced by CABE is available here...

The guide recommends that the statement (but not the thinking!) be split into two overall parts; Design and then Access. Each part is further subdivided with sections such as use, layout, landscaping etc. within the Design part and vehicular/transport links and Inclusive Design within the Access part.

A good Design and Access Statement will cover both the design and access proposals showing how the designer has incorporated an integrated approach to inclusive design throughout the proposed scheme.
I can help you in putting the statement together using my detailed up to date knowledge of access requirements and also my awareness of what constitutes a successful statement.
It is important that the designer fully understands what is required for the inclusivity of the scheme and therefore the statement would be written in close collaboration with the person who has a detailed understanding of the project and it's overall aims.
An example of my input for a simple scheme can be seen here...

Access Statements for Building Controls

This is a document which is sometimes requested at the Building Control stage. At present only some Local Authorities ask for an Access Statement as it is not currently a statutory requirement. However, Local Authorities in London will ask for access statements as it is a requirement under The London Plan.
This statement should cover both the design and access proposals, showing how the designer has incorporated an integrated approach to inclusive design throughout the proposed scheme. It is a more developed document than the design and access statement required at the planning stage.
An example of my input for a simple statement can be seen here...