Design and Access Statements
(DAS)
Central Government is looking for improvements to the quality of
planning applications submitted and more importantly the quality of
decisions made and the resultant development.
In its guidance, Planning Policy Statement 1 states:
"Good design ensures attractive, usable, durable and
adaptable places and is a key element in achieving sustainable
development. Good design is indivisible from good planning.
Planning authorities should plan positively for the achievement of
high quality and inclusive design for all development, including
individual buildings, public and private spaces and wider area
development schemes. Good design should contribute positively to
making places better for people. Design which is inappropriate in
its context, or which fails to take the opportunities available for
improving the character and quality of an area and the way it
functions, should not be accepted."
A DAS is a report accompanying and supporting a planning
application to illustrate the process that has led to the
development proposal, and to explain and justify the proposal in a
structured way.
A DAS must accompany planning applications for all outline and
many full planning permissions. The elements to be described in
design and access statements will be the same regardless of whether
the application is for outline or full (detailed) planning
permission, but their scope will differ. A DAS will also be
required for all applications for listed building consent.
DAS became a requirement for approximately 50% of planning
applications from 10 August 2006. DAS will be required for all
planning applications with the exception of:
-
material change in the use of land or buildings, unless it
also involves operational development.
-
engineering or mining operations.
-
development of an existing dwelling house, or development
within the curtilage of a dwelling house for any purpose incidental
to the enjoyment of the dwelling house, where no part of that
dwellinghouse or curtilage is within a site of special scientific
interest, conservation area or area of outstanding natural
beauty.
A DAS is not required for the approval of reserved matters,
applications relating to advertisement control, works to preserved
trees or storage of hazardous substances.
IF A DAS IS REQUIRED AND NOT SUBMITTED OR IS
INCOMPLETE WE WILL RETURN YOUR APPLICATION
USEFUL DOCUMENTS AND GUIDANCE:
Essex
design initiative - Essex Design Guide and Urban Space
Supplement
The above links will open an adobe acrobat pdf document and you
will need the
free adobe acrobat reader software to open it.
Design and
Access Statement guidance from CABE (Commission for Architecture
and the Built Environment)
Powerpoint presentation by Urban design London and CABE giving
guidance for Design and Access Statements
Professional Guidance:
Statutory
Instrument 2006. 1062
Statutory
Instrument 2006. 1063 |