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Design and access statements

Providing public disabled access for buildings is a legal requirement.

This is required under the Equality Act 2010 and the Planning Acts and the Building Regulations.

A Design and Access Statement (DAS) is required to be submitted with most planning and building regulation applications.

A DAS outlines how access will be provided for Disabled people when alterations to buildings or new building work are proposed as part of these kinds of applications. Though not always required for all planning applications volunterring one when access for disabled people is affected may save time clarifying detailed points later.

This would be most applicable in cases of changes of use regardless of whether any works are proposed.

If a DAS is not included as part of any planning or building regulation applications your  application may not be registered and no will be action taken until a valid statement is provided.

The statements are also useful to assist with the planning of a range of works to buildings and services.

For further information on how to prepare the access issues in a DAS  we recommend the following documents:

  • Title: DCLG Circular 01/2006 GUIDANCE ON CHANGES TO THE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL SYSTEM

Link: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/144854.pdf

  • Title: Design and Access Statements: how to read, write and use them

Link: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110118095356/http:/www.cabe.org.uk/publications/design-and-access-statements

For further information or if you require this information in an alternative format contact our Disability Equality Access Officer.

This page updated: October 2011