Guidance

• Planning and Access for Disabled People – Department for Communities and Local Government

• Planning, buildings, streets and disability equality – the former Disability Rights Commission

• Accessible London: Achieving an Inclusive Environment – Mayor of London

• The Handy Guide to Planning – Urban Forum

• How Your Council Works: A Handy Guide for Community Groups – Urban Forum

• Circular 01/06 (Communities and Local Government): Guidance on Changes to the Development Control System – Communities and Local Government

• Guidelines on Effective Community Involvement and Consultation: RTPI Good Practice Note 1 – Royal Town Planning Institute

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

• Access Statements: Achieving an inclusive environment by ensuring continuity throughout the planning, design and management of buildings and spaces – the former Disability Rights Commission

• Planning and Inclusive Design (Access Statements) Final Interim Guidance – Welsh Assembly Government

Advice

Advice and support on planning issues is available through Planning Aid.

In England:
Planning Aid England provides free, independent, professional advice and support on planning issues to people and communities who cannot afford to hire a planning consultant.

Planning Aid complements the work of local authorities but is wholly independent of them. In most UK regions, Planning Aid is run by the Royal Town Planning Institute. Contact details for regional points of contact in England can be found by visiting the Planning Aid website.

Planning Aid for London provides free or affordable advice on town planning and the built environment to individuals and community groups across London.

The Planning Aid for London website includes an in-depth Introduction to Planning, which is extremely useful for groups across the country who are interested in finding out more about the planning process and how they can get involved. The organisation also runs a free Introduction to Planning training course; for further details, please see the Planning Aid for London website.

In Wales:
Planning Aid Wales is a registered charity providing services for people in Wales that broadly mirror those of Planning Aid in England.

Planning Aid Wales exists to help members of the public and community groups to participate in the planning system by providing appropriate information, advice, advocacy, training and support.