The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced a requirement for Design and Access Statements to accompany most planning applications. (Note: in Wales, these are referred to as Access Statements.)

These Statements should explain the thinking behind the designs that are being submitted in a planning application, including how the requirements of disabled people have been considered.

Slightly confusingly, at Building Control stage, applications may be accompanied by an Access Statement. This is not the same thing as the one submitted at Planning stage, but should ideally link into it.

Whether you are advising at Planning stage or Building Control stage, your access group should cross-check that access issues raised in the Statement have been dealt with in the plans.

Guidance

For further guidance on Design and Access Statements (Planning) and Access Statements (Building Control), refer to the following documents:

• Design and access statements: how to write, read and use them – Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE)

• Planning and Inclusive Design (Access Statements): Final interim guidance – Welsh Assembly Government

• Achieving an inclusive environment by ensuring continuity throughout the planning, design and management of buildings and spaces – former Disability Rights Commission, but available on the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s website