Design and Access Statements Checklist
Your Design and Access Statement needs only be as simple or
complex as the project is relates to. Below are headings that
may need to be included in your statement if relevent to your
application.
The Process
- Does the statement show the applicant has assessed the site’s
full context, including physical, social, and economic
characteristics and relevant planning policies?
- Has the applicant demonstrated how they have taken account of
the results of any community involvement?
- Does the statement show that the scheme has emerged from a
rigorous process of assessment, involvement, evaluation and design,
rather than trying to retrospectively justify a pre-determined
solution?
Use
- Would the application help to create an appropriate mix of uses
in the area?
- Would different uses work together well or would they cause
unacceptable annoyance?
Amount
- For residential development, how many units. All other
development, how much floor space?
- Is the density appropriate?
- Could the neighbourhood’s services support the amount of
development planned?
Layout
- Do all spaces have a purpose?
- Will public spaces be practical, safe, overlooked and
inclusive?
- Will private spaces be adaptable, secure and inviting?
Scale
- Will the buildings sit comfortably with their
surroundings?
- Will they, and parts like doors and windows, be of a
comfortable scale for people?
Landscaping
- Has landscaping been properly considered from the start?
- Will it help to make the place look good and work well, and
will it meet any specific aims for the site?
Appearance
- How will the development visually relate to its
surroundings?
- Will it look attractive?
Access
- Will the place be safe and easy for everyone to move
around?
- What are the vehicular and transport links and why have the
access points and routes been chosen?
- How does the site relate to road layout and public transport
provision?
- How can everyone get to and move through the place on equal
terms, regardless of ethnicity or social grouping?
General
- Does the approach to access run through the whole document,
rather than being considered as a discreet issue?
- Has the applicant clearly described their policy approach and
consultation process, whether carried out or planned?
Example
The following gives an example of headings and may not
be relevant to all Design and Access Statements.
Please refer to the Design and Access Statement page for full
requirements.
- Proposal - A description of your
project
- Address - Of development
- Apperance / Design - to include details about
size, form, scale, materials, design in relation to the existing
property and adjoining buildings/surroundings.
- Landscaping - details of existing and proposed
landscaping
- Access - how access is gained to the
site/development from exisiting access road or public
highway. Details of internal access arrangements.
This webpage was updated on
1/16/2009