Designers may choose to meet the requirements of Part M in an alternative way to those set out in Approved Document M. In order to assess whether proposals make 'reasonable provision', it is recommended that an access statement accompany the application.

Ideally, the access statement will link to one that has been provided at planning application stage, if applicable. It is also anticipated that this statement will continue through to occupation of the building by the end user.

The access statement should record:

• how the designer has met the requirements of Part M
• the reasons for departing from the Approved Document (if they have) – perhaps to provide a better solution, or due to site constraints

There is also a requirement on planning authorities in England and Wales to produce Access Statements (Wales) and Design and Access Statements (England) as part of the development control process. Many issues between Planning and Building Control overlap, so it is desirable that the documents produced at both stages are linked. Unfortunately, in practice this often does not happen.

Access statements should not be seen as static – they should be evolving documents that grow with a project as decisions are made and refined.

Further guidance on access statements is provided in the former Disability Rights Commission's publication Access Statements: Achieving an inclusive environment by ensuring continuity throughout the planning, design and management of buildings and spaces.