Assessing a design and access statement

Answers to frequently asked questions about how to assess a design and access statement.

1. How much detail should a statement contain?

Statements should be concise, covering all the design and access issues that are relevant to the scheme. Importantly, the statement should help you better understand the design and access principles of scheme. It should not repeat information in the planning application or contain lots of useless facts.

You should make sure the applicant is clear on what you expect to the included in their statement, and you should include this as part of your pre-application discussions and advice.

Statements may contain both words and illustrations/graphics to help explain the scheme. Clear communication is the most important thing - and simple diagrams and clear, concise explanations are the most useful. You should make sure you understand what material is 'illustrative', and consider mechanisms (such as conditions) to ensure design quality is maintained from planning to construction.

2. How do I use statements to secure better quality places?

Statements are a useful tool that will assist in controlling quality from planning.

They are not part of the planning application, but mandatory supporting documents. Local planning authorities should 'fix' important details or processes included within the design and access statement to permission, using conditions. Without this kind of 'fixing', statements are not binding.

We have worked with the Planning Advisory Service and the Planning Officers Society to explore how statements are being used in practice.