Design and Access Statements
A design and access (DAS) statement is a short report
accompanying and supporting a planning application.
A DAS is required for many types of planning application – both
full and outline - but there are exemptions. For example they are
not required for householder applications (except in World Heritage
Sites, conservation areas or requiring listed building consent) or
applications for material change of use (unless it also involves
operational development).
Page 28 of the Government guidance on information requirements and
validation outlines the development types that don’t require a
DAS.
A DAS should explain the design principles and concepts that
have been applied to particular aspects of the proposal – these are
the amount, layout, scale, landscaping and appearance of the
development.
Design and access statements are documents that explain the
design thinking behind a planning application. For example, they
should show that the person applying for permission (the applicant)
has thought carefully about how everyone, including disabled
people, older people and very young children, will be able to use
the places they want to build.
Demonstrating how the local context has influenced the design is
also an important element. This should be discussed in relation to
the scheme as a whole.
The requirement for the access component of the statement
relates only to ‘access to the development’ and therefore should
explain how the design ensures that all users will have equal and
convenient access to it.
For most straightforward planning applications, the DAS may only
need to be a page long, for more complex applications, more detail
is likely to be necessary.
The Government has produced
guidance on what a DAS should contain and its role in the
decision-making process.
The Government’s design adviser, the Commission for Architecture
and the Built Environment (CABE), has produced guidance
on how to write, read and use design and access statements.
This predates the new policy on DAS but still includes helpful
information about the principles of DAS preparation – in particular
the need to consider Design and Access issues at an early stage
when preparing your development proposal.
Contact Planning
Telephone: 01304 872486
email developmentcontrol@dover.gov.uk
