Planning & strategy

Design and Access Statements

An explanation of the design approach and access considerations where a statement is required.

When this service may be useful

A design and access statement explains the thinking behind a proposal and how people will use and access it. Whether one is needed, and its level of detail, should be established against the application and site circumstances.

How the work is approached

Working with the design team, we explain the site appraisal, design evolution, layout, scale, appearance and access strategy. We connect the written explanation to the supplied drawings and identify where further information is needed to describe the design accurately.

What you receive

You receive a proportionate statement that helps the reader understand the design decisions and access approach. It records the design rationale; it does not replace the architect’s drawings or specialist accessibility advice.

What we need to start

Existing and proposed drawings, design objectives and site context.

We review the site, proposal and planning stage to agree the appropriate scope. Specialist surveys and assessments are coordinated where needed.

How our planning consultancy process works

ILLUSTRATIVE REPORT PREVIEW

Design & Access Statement

Front cover and contents page examples. The document structure is tailored to your instruction, site and relevant planning requirements.

Design & Access Statement illustrative front cover
Front cover
Design & Access Statement illustrative contents page
Contents page

What the report should contain

This outline explains the purpose of each section. The final contents depend on the agreed scope, available evidence and requirements of the local planning authority.

  1. Document control & executive summary

    Project details, reference, revision, date, author, reviewer and a concise summary of the key findings.

  2. Site appraisal

    Physical context, character, constraints and opportunities informing the design.

  3. Design principles & evolution

    Explain the brief, options considered and how the design developed.

  4. Use & amount

    Set out proposed uses, development scale and accommodation.

  5. Layout & movement

    Explain building arrangement, circulation and relationships with surroundings.

  6. Scale, massing & appearance

    Describe height, form, materials and architectural treatment.

  7. Landscape & external spaces

    Explain planting, amenity space and the public or private realm.

  8. Inclusive access

    Describe access to and within the development and the principles adopted.

  9. Consultation & design response

    Explain how consultation and relevant access issues influenced the proposal.

  10. Appendices & evidence register

    Index relevant plans, photographs, calculations, surveys and source documents; include only the evidence relevant to this instruction.

Read our planning supporting documents guide to explore related evidence.

CASE STUDIES

Where we have prepared this report

All case studies

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Design & access statements FAQs

Clear answers to help you plan your next step.

Still have a question?

Tell us about the site and we will confirm what is needed and what it should cost.

Make an enquiry
Can you prepare the statement before the design is finished?

We can agree the structure and information needs while the design develops, but the final statement must describe the proposal accurately. Design changes may require the written explanation to be revised.

What information should I provide to get started?

Existing and proposed drawings, design objectives and site context.

How is the fee for this service confirmed?

The price shown is a starting estimate for the stated scope. We review the site, proposal, available information and required deliverables, then confirm the fee, exclusions and programme in a written quotation before appointment.

How do your specialists work together on a project?

We bring the relevant planning consultants and specialist providers into a coordinated project team. They work from an agreed brief and current proposal, with dependencies and design changes discussed across disciplines. Each consultant remains responsible for their own professional advice and agreed deliverables.

PART OF A COORDINATED APPOINTMENT

Your specialist evidence, connected.

This service can form part of a wider coordinated planning appointment. We bring the relevant consultants together to work alongside your design team, discuss assessment findings and identify how recommendations affect other reports and the proposal.

Your fee proposal confirms who prepares each document, the information it relies on and the limits of the instruction. A report provides evidence for the council’s assessment; the planning decision remains the council’s. Explore how our consultants work together or discuss the team your project needs.

YOUR NEXT STEP

Discuss your requirements.

Tell us about the site, what you want to achieve and any deadline. We will review it and suggest an appropriate next step.

Call 020 8004 4464 or email info@greencodeconsultants.com.

Make an enquiry