DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENTS – GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS AND AGENTS – HOUSEHOLDER APPLICATIONS

From 10 August 2006, planning applications for extensions, other alterations to dwellings or the construction of an outbuilding or fence where any part of the property or associated land is within a conservation area or Site of Special Scientific Interest must be accompanied by a Design and Access Statement.

Failure to submit one is likely to result in delay because the application will not

be registered without one. The application may be refused if the Statement is

not of sufficient standard.

Please read this advice carefully. If a Design and Access is required your application will not be registered unless it conforms with the legislative guidance. A checklist is set out at the end of this guidance note. The Local Authority will use this checklist when registering your application.

This Guidance Note has been drawn up by planning officers across the whole of Hampshire, including Southampton and Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and the New Forest National Park, so as to provide consistency of approach for applicants and their agents. Separate guidance notes deal with Design and Access Statements for Listed Buildings and general planning applications. A list of references is given at the end of the document, together with internet links.

A Design and Access Statement is not a technical document. It is an opportunity for an applicant to inform the wider public of the scheme. It has the following essential steps:

1. Appraising the Context

The initial appraisal should include:

• An assessment of the character of the property and its immediate surroundings considering:

  • Relevant planning policies. (the development control section of the Council can advise which policies would be relevant for your scheme)

  • Physical characteristics of the site and physical, social and economic characteristics of the immediate vicinity

  • Existing parking and access arrangements

• Involvement of the community, for example:

  • Consultation with neighbours and any local amenity groups, resident associations or neighbourhood forums

  • Meetings with planning, building control, conservation, design and access officers

The statement should demonstrate how views have been taken into account and how the proposal was changed or modified as a result.

 

• An evaluation :

  • Identifying opportunities and constraints

  • Formulating design and access principles

  • Balancing any potentially conflicting issues

2. Identifying the Design Principles

You should avoid working retrospectively by trying to justify a predetermined design through subsequent site assessment and evaluation.

• The amount of proposed floor space should be explained and justified in relation to:

  • the existing building

  • the site’s surroundings

• The layout, that is the way in which buildings, routes and spaces relate both to each other and buildings and spaces surrounding the development, should be explained and justified and you should:

  • Provide information on the location of buildings/extensions and routes around the site

  • Show the orientation of the development in relation to adjoining buildings and spaces, including any changes of level

  • Demonstrate how the design incorporates crime prevention measures
    using diagrams where appropriate.

The scale, that is the height, width and length of a building or buildings in relation to its surroundings, should be explained and justified and you should:

• Demonstrate how this relates to the surroundings, including adjoining buildings, and the relevant skyline
• Refer to the scale of building features such as entrances and
  facades

• The proposed landscaping, including both the planted (soft) and built (hard) landscape elements, in private and public spaces should be explained and justified including:
  • the purpose of landscaping spaces and how proposals relate to
    the surrounding area
  • The choice of planting and proposed hard landscaping materials You should include a planting schedule and a maintenance programme.

• The appearance, that is, the visual impression derived from the architectural design, decorative features, materials and lighting, should be explained and justified in relation to the appearance and character of the existing building and surrounding development. You should also demonstrate how the decisions taken about appearance have considered accessibility e.g. the use of particular colours and textures of materials/location and levels of lighting to define entrances, circulation routes or seating.

3. Identifying the Access Principles

The same process should be followed with regard to access. “Access” refers to “access to the development”, not just the internal aspects of individual buildings. The Statement  should describe and assess the sustainability of the existing access arrangements including:

• Highway Access
• Pedestrian Access
• Public Transport Access
• Cycle Access
• Parking provision
• Sustainability (location)
• Emergency and service access

4. Creating the Solution

There may be several different design solutions for a site but the final proposal should be based upon the design principles that have been established through the process outlined above. Without going through these stages the solution is likely to be flawed. In relation to access Statements should:

• Explain how the proposal will ensure that all users (existing and potential) will have equal and convenient access to buildings and spaces and the public transport network
• Address the need for flexibility of the development and how it may adapt to changing needs
• Explain how access for the emergency services can be achieved, including circulation routes round the site and egress from buildings in the event of emergency evacuation

REFERENCES:
CABE (2006) Design and Access Statements – How to write, read and use
them, London www.cabe.org.uk/AssetLibrary/8073.pdf

Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) – News Release
2006/0024

DCLG (2006) Circular 01/2006: Guidance on Changes to the Development
Control System, London

Home Office/Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) (2003) Safer
Places - the Planning System and Crime Prevention

Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development, London

Design and Access Statement Checklist

Design Component

Access Component