Design and access statements: north-east England case study

Since August 2006, UK planning regulations require developers to submit a design and access statement with most applications. A design and access statement is intended to assist design decision making in the planning application process by clarifying the design approach of the applicant from the outset. The aim is to facilitate greater common understanding by all concerned by making the process and outcome of decision making more open, rigorous and sustainable. This paper seeks to investigate the background of government intervention in design decision making through planning. It then specifically investigates whether design and access statements are in fact perceived as improving decision making from the local planning authority perspective, as well as the developer perspective, using primary data from north-east England. Comparisons are made with a recent national study by the Planning Advisory Service on design and access statements. This reveals different viewpoints on the extent to which the introduction of design and access statements is helping the design decision making process. Developers are more critical than local planning authorities, but all perceive some value in the process and offer views on potential improvements.