Design and access statement

When it is needed

A design and access statement is required for all planning applications involving:

• major development (defined as, in the case of residential development, ten or more dwellings or, if the number of dwellings is not known, a site area of 0.5 hectares or more; and in other cases development involving floor space of 1,000 square metres or more, or, if floor space not given, a site of one hectare or more)

• where any part of the development is in a conservation area or world heritage site and the development consists of one or more dwelling houses or the provision of a building or buildings where the floor space created by the development is 100 square metres or more

• applications for listed building consent

When it is not needed

A design and access statement is not need for an application: 

• to develop land without complying with conditions attached to a previous permission

• where the development that is subject of the application has not yet begun, was granted planning permission on or before 1 October 2010 and was subject to a time limit condition that has not expired

• for outline planning permission where the development has begun in accord acne with reserved matters approval if required or expressly permitted to be implemented in phases, was granted planning permission on or before 1 October 2010 and was subject to a time limit condition that has not expired

• for engineering or mining operations

• for a material change in use of land or buildings

• for waste development