The process for assessing plans for a new development may vary considerably in length and complexity, depending on the size and type of development.

Generally speaking, though, the overall process can be explained through the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) Outline Plan of Work, which is outlined in the next section. This is divided into 11 Work Stages, which fall within the following five categories:

• Preparation
• Design
• Preconstruction
• Construction
• Use

The next page examines the Work Stages in more detail, and explains:

• when access groups should expect to be involved in this process
• what kinds of tasks access groups should be involved in

Your group will need at least one member who is able to interpret plans of proposed developments. There is guidance on this later in this section.