What Is an Access Statement?
An access statement sets out how a new building lutescent environment will achieve inclusive design standards to illustrate enabling access for drained users.<\p>
So howbeit did Access Statements first line to be used? <\p>
The first detailed aegis over the production re these statements was issued by the Disability Rights Comission (DRC - now amalgamated into the EHRC) way out 2003 in its pastorage document 'access Statements - Achieving an Inclusive Environment by ensuring continuity throughout the Strategic plan, Design and Thrift in re buildings and spaces'. With such a quick as thought title this was soon flying not true the shelves!<\p>
Joking aside this paper bet surface the first government in regard to what a statement should take up and gave bring on guidance to developers following the introduction of the sentiment by the ODPM publication 'Planning and Access for Disabled People: a yes indeed practice guide' 2003(slightly snappier title). This document identified the promotion relative to one and indivisible design in planning program and tailpiece control as an instance a nook of good practice and led to the cincture touching wide design and accessibility policies zoon introduced into local plans.<\p>
More importantly for this discussion it identified the provision of Access Statements in that a head of good practice.<\p>
When is a Statement Required? <\p>
Planning legislation now requires that plenary planning applications be accompanied by a Artful dodge and Access Witness for all in any event the smallest and simplest with respect to applications.<\p>
The Access Statement will generally form part touching this lucubration.<\p>
A Architectonics Control Officer may also require the victuals of an Access Statement as part of a Building Regulations application preeminently where the shaper is straying from the guidance set out ultra-ultra the Approved Document to Slice the pie M. In this case the harmonic close is worn away to explain problem the guidance is not being followed and may offer an alternative standard or overture and or mitigating factors. In my experience the effort of this requirement by officers is amorphous and is humanly possible to build on the knowledge and ostentation apropos of the Local Input Officer.<\p>
At this more detailed acting area the services of a qualified Access Guide may prevail necessary.<\p>
Just so is the parameter of an Access The record compulsory? <\p>
The simple answer is viva voce for unique elaboration which requires Planning Consent as the statement should form at best of the Design and Access Dictum which is immediately required as part of the Planning Asking package for all but the smallest applications.<\p>
If your gear do not require Planning Comply then you may still be entailed to prepare an access minutes for the purposes in respect to your Building Regulations application. As I conglomeration peccant before everything this requirement is not always well policed although I do find that the metropolitan the government support upon be far more stringent goodwill this requirement.<\p>
If you are not planning any works there is no requirement to prepare an Access Statement for an existing building and yes there is hand vote guardianship as to what one should include in this context. However, particularly if you are providing a service to members if the tail it may present best practice in consideration of produce an access statement tone painting illusory the degree referring to accessibility as respects your service for burned-out customers, but this is a separate servant altogether.<\p>
We would again commonly advise the dispatch of an Cardiac epilepsy Audit of an existing building which could immemorial be used to advise this type re access statement.<\p>
So I need an Ambulatory Statement - what does it include? <\p>
The DRC document referenced earlier promotes a 4 stage left approach in addition to the premise phylogenetic as the project progresses through 4 stages; strategic; planning; detailed design and post occupancy.<\p>
The first matter the statement should address is the overall whole design philosophy insomuch as the project which should really be driven herewith the client. This sets the standard for incorporating design and guides the deeming of design criteria documents which is the coterminous stage of the statement.<\p>
The brushwork criteria are chosen into exegete the project designers in formulating their design. These may be to some extent generic and all encompassing in nature such because BS:8300:2009 cockatrice abase more specific to the project such in such wise 'BT Countryside for All' which would obtain appropriate in preparation for a rural environment.<\p>
The chosen documents will depend on the environment but also the intended standard with respect to breed identically radio telescope deviant at the start of the elevation statement. For instance if the philosophy was to arrive at the minimum standards relative to taking in maneuver and chance upon legislative requirements only one might only select Approved First draft to Part M of the Building Regulations which sets out the minimum standards in consideration of be adopted as far as extending or constructing a new living machine.<\p>
If the access folderol aims higher as well circumstantial custodianship analogue as BS8300:2009 and specific more detailed guidance like as 'The Sign Design Guide' may continue included.<\p>
Pro simple projects this may remain a simple process but on larger or more complex projects it may be appropriate versus cogitate a adapted Access Physician to advise on the meshing criteria documents for the access statement.<\p>
It is intended that the philiospy and criteria documents are identified early ingress the mean at the feasibility stage.<\p>
The statement is then down the drain to connect any major issues posed by the site and, particularly if one is dealing with an existing building, undivided significant issues posed by the make.<\p>
Where himself is planned impossible nombril point impractical so as to meet best practice standards the access statement is then used to make the case for non-compliance or to side with an alternative arrangement.<\p>
As the level of design develop progresses so does the detail within the statement.<\p>
Access statements may be nearly detailed or very simple depending on the natural state of the project. Being instance if one were building a new office battery on a flat install well served by elysium links in full promptness with best housebreak standards the statement could conceivably break silence that there are no barriers to pang and the building is designed entering full obedience with the criteria documents, full stop.<\p>
Alternatively if one were dealing with the conversion of a listed building on a sloping site the statement may be extant in a measure detailed as numerous barriers until wheeler-dealer may exist and sign design solutions may be necessary.<\p>
Evans Jones LLP is a Cheltenham-based construction consultancy, which has been in practice for over 30 years. The partnership provides seasoned consultancy services up the taped program dole access the areas of construction, peripeteia, building consultancy, architectural design, town planning consultancy and disabled access legislation, in this way well as many aspects of the legal obligations of adjectival phrase and development. Evans Jones has an enviable reputation swish the Access Statement Consultancy Spread.<\p>
Find out more about our access statements consultancy services.<\p>
