Design and Access Statements
With effect from 10 August 2006, a Design and Access Statement must accompany all planning applications and applications for Listed Building Consent, except for:
- Applications for a material change of use to land or buildings (unless it also involves operational development)
- Engineering or mining operations
- Most householder development
For further information relating to householder applications and requirements, please contact your relevant district council’s planning department.
Generally it is considered that a formal Design and Access Statement will be required for the following types of minerals or waste planning applications:
- Ancillary development at a quarry e.g. a bagging plant
- A waste transfer station – where the development includes the erection of buildings
- A materials recycling facility - where the development includes the erection of buildings
- A green waste windrow composting facility
- An in-vessel composting facility
- Development at a waste water treatment works requiring planning permission e.g. a kiosk
Also, generally, it is considered that a formal Design and Access Statement will not be required for the following types of minerals or waste planning applications:
- Mineral extraction as this is a mining operation - however it would be required for any ancillary development
- Landfill as this is a material change of use of land - however it would be required for any ancillary development
If you have any queries whether your proposed development requires a design and access statement that are not covered by the above, then please contact the Planning Control team for specific advice.
The Design & Access Statement should be one statement containing a design element and an access element.
The design element should describe the design principles and concepts relating to the following specific aspects of the development:-
- Amount
- Layout
- Scale
- Landscaping
- Appearance
Further explanation of the above can be found in the Circular 01/2006, see the link below.
The access element should describe the means of access to the development (not internal aspects of buildings). The statement should demonstrate:
- How all users will have equal and convenient access to buildings spaces and the public transport network
- What policy has been adopted in relation to access
- Access for emergency services
Please note that if your planning application requires a Design and Access Statement, it cannot be registered as valid unless it is accompanied by one. Details of the statutory requirements and more detailed advice about preparing a Design and Access Statement are available in the following documents:
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