In 2006, the government introduced changes to the planning application process, introducing the requirement to submit a Design and Access Statement with a planning application. Statements should explain the design principles and concepts that have informed the development and how access issues have been dealt with. They should cover use, amount, layout, scale, landscaping and appearance of the development, in addition to vehicular and transport links and inclusive access. We can write or input into the disability access elements of these statements.
Approved Document M of the Building Regulations (May 2004) requires the production of an Access Statement outlining the strategy for addressing access for new buildings and refurbishments, which should be provided when plans are submitted for approval, when a building notice is given or when details of a project are given to an Approved Inspector. This should be complementary to, rather than totally separate from, any Statement provided at the planning application stage. We can assist in the development of your access statement.
The precise form of an Access Statement and the level of detail it will contain will vary according to the size, nature and complexity of the proposed development or alteration. The Statement should be seen as a document which 'grows' with the project, starting at the strategic level at the project brief stage and ongoing through the planning and design stages through to occupancy of the building. By developing a document which passes on to those who will undertake the long term management of the facility, the Access Statement will assist in ensuring that the 'evolving duty' placed on service providers, employers and educators under the Equality Act 2010 can be better addressed.
It will also provide a convenient vehicle by which particular design decisions that do not follow published best practice are shown to still meet obligations of 'reasonable provision'.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements in more detail.
Contact us
RNIB Access Consultancy Services
PO Box 173
Peterborough
PE2 6WS
Phone: 01733 37 53 70
Email: businesslink@rnib.org.uk