Design and Access Statements

Following central governments introduction for the requirement for a Design and Access Statement to accompany applications for certain types of permission.  More exemptions have come into force on 6th April 2010 which are listed below.

(Guidance to the changes are available on DCLG Circular 01/2006).  If this information is not provided, the new regulations prohibit the Council from accepting the application and the application will not be registered.

A Design and Access statement combines a range of information into one document and is used in support of an application. The aim of the statement is to explain how an application has evolved, to justify the detail of the proposal and, ultimately, to improve the overall quality of development. It will also help planning officers, statutory consultees, councillors and other interested parties to better understand the impacts and implications of a proposal.

A Design and Access statement is not required for the following:

• engineering or mining operations
  
• Development of an existing dwelling house, or development within the curtilage of a dwelling house for any purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house, where no part of that dwellinghouse or curtilage is within a designated area. “Designated area” means a conservation area and a World Heritage Site.
  
• a material change of use of land or buildings, unless it also involves operational development.
  
• extensions to the time limits for implementing existing planning permissions
  
• development of an existing flat for any purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the flat as such, where not part of that flat is within a designated area
  
• the extension of an existing building used for non-domestic purposes where the floorspace created by the development does not exceed 100 square metres and where no part of the building or the development is within a designated area
  
• the erection, construction, improvement or alteration of a gate, fence wall or other means of enclosure, up to 2 metres high or the height of the existing means of enclosure, whichever is the higher, where no part of the building or the development is within a designated area or the curtilage of the a listed building
  
• development on operational land consisting of the erection of a building or structure up to 100 cubic metres in volume and 15m in height and where no part of the development is within a designated area
  
• the alteration of an existing building where the alteration does not increase the size of the building and where no part of the building or the development is within a designated area.
  
• the erection, alteration or replacement of plant or machinery where, as a result of the development, the height of the plant or machinery would not exceed the greater of 15 metres above ground level, or the height of the original plant or machinery, and where no part of the development is within a designated area; or
  
• development of land pursuant to section 73 (determination of applications to develop land without conditions previously attached) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
  
• Advertisement control, tree preservation orders or storage of hazardous substances.
  

Key changes for the need for Design and Access Statements set out above are in more detail below.  These come into effect on 6th April 2010)

If you have to produce a statement we have some useful tips to help you.  

You may also find the Design and Access template,  (64.00 KB)(word format) or pdf format  (22.86 KB) helpful for simple planning applications including householder applications.

For outline applications - Design & Access template

For more detailed information see the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment publication 'Design and access statements - How to write, read, and use them'.

Tips for a Design and Access Statement

The statement needs to include an assessment of:

Design

The process

• The statement should show the applicant has assessed the sites full context, including physical, social and economic characteristics and relevant planning policies
• Demonstrate how account has been taken of the results of community involvement.
• Show that the scheme has emerged from a rigorous process of assessment, involvement, evaluation and design. The statement should therefore explain the design out come not simply present it.

In detail the following issues will normally require description and explanation.

Use

• What buildings and space are being used for.

Amount

• How much would be built on the site
• The appropriateness of the density.
• Can the neighbourhood’s services support the amount of development planned.

Layout

• How the buildings and public spaces will be arranged on the site and the relationship between them and the buildings and space around the site.
• Demonstrate how the design incorporates crime prevention measures.

Scale

• How big the buildings and spaces would be (their height, width and length).
• Explain how this relates to the site’s surroundings.
• Explain how the scale of buildings features fit comfortably.

Landscaping (This includes both hard and soft landscaping)

• The purpose of landscaping spaces.
• How open spaces will be treated to enhance and protect the character of a place.

Appearance

• The visual impression a place or building makes, including the external built form of the development, its architecture, materials, decoration, lighting, colour and texture.

Access

The same process should be followed with regard to access. “Access” refers to “access to the development”, not just the internal aspects of individual buildings.

The statement should explain how access arrangements would ensure that all users would have equal and convenient access to buildings and spaces, parking and the public transport network.

Listed Buildings

Design and Access statements relating to listed buildings should be extended to include an assessment of and response to

• The historic and special architectural importance of the building
• The particular physical features of the building that justify its designation as a listed building.
• The building’s setting.

Access

Information on access statements for listed buildings and historic landscapes can be found in our publication Accessible Historic Environment (3.25 MB)

Further Information

If you would like more information about a planning application contact:

Planning Services
Wychavon District Council
Civic Centre
Queen Elizabeth Drive
Pershore
WR10 1PT
Telephone: 01386 565565 - between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Email: planning@wychavon.gov.uk