New Guidance for Design and Access Statements

New Guidance for Design and Access Statements
With an accompanying design and access statement now a requirement for planning applications from 10 August 2006, CABE has released guidance to help architects and clients prepare, and planners to read, design and access statements.

The new guidance, Design and access statements: how to write, read and use them explains what the statements should cover, and gives detailed advice on how to make sure that the requirements are adequately met.

Many planning applications are already accompanied by a design statement, either because a local authority policy requires them or a client and architect produce one as good practice.

But the publication today of the Department for Communities and Local Government circular, Guidance on changes to the development control system, marks the first time that all major applications will be required to have one.

The changes also mean that statements will now have to cover a set range of subjects.

In particular, this means that many statements will for the first time include information on a scheme's inclusive access provision.