Design and access statement - Planning validation requirements

Back button/Page style

Back to validation homepage

Planning document information

Description 

A design and access statement explains how your proposed development is a suitable response to the site and its setting. It shows that the development can be easily accessed by prospective users. 

Guidance 

The design and access statement you submit should include an executive summary and be clear, easy to read and jargon free. 

Your design and access statement must: 

  • explain the design principles and concepts that you have applied to the development 
  • demonstrate the steps you have taken to appraise the context of the development and how the design of the development takes that context into account 
  • explain the policy you have adopted for access to the development 
  • explain how you have taken into account policies relating to access in relevant local development documents 
  • state what, if any, consultation has been undertaken on issues relating to access to the development 
  • explain what how you have used the outcomes of any such consultation 
  • explain how you have addressed any specific issues which might affect access to the development 

You can get help and advice from our Duty Planner on design and access statements and planning applications. 

You can get detailed feedback on your proposal by using our pre-application advice service. 

Personal and confidential statement 

We may publish any information you submit as part of your application. You must tell us if there is any information you do not want us to publish when you submit your application.  

If however, we believe that this information is in the public interest, we reserve the right to publish it.  

We may also decide parts of your submission are not in the public interest and may redact this information. This information may include telephone numbers, email addresses and signatures. 

When you need to submit this information

Depending on the details of your application, you may have to submit a design and access statement when you are submitting an application for: 

If your application is for one of these types of planning permission, you need to submit a design and access statement if your proposal is for: 

  • a major development 
  • one or more houses within a conservation area or setting of a listed building 
  • new building(s) within a conservation area where the floor space created is greater than 100 square metres 
  • listed build consent. If your application is for listed building consent, you need to address the: 
    • special or architectural or historic interest of the building 
    • particular physical features that justify the buildings designation 
    • building’s setting 

You do not need to submit a design and access statement is if you are applying for: 

Validation requirements

Required by