London Borough of Croydon

You are here:

All planning applications (with the exception of householder, change of use and advertisements) will now require the submission of a design and access statement.

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ON OR AFTER 10 AUGUST 2006 (INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE INVALID ON THAT DATE) WILL NOT BE VALIDATED UNTIL THE STATEMENT (IF REQUIRED) IS RECEIVED.

The following applications are exceptions to this requirement:

A material change of use of land and buildings (unless it also involves operational development);

  • Engineering or mining operations;
  • Householder developments: but statements are required if the property is located within a Conservation Area
  • Advertisements
  • Tree Preservation Orders
  • Storage of Hazardous Waste

What are Design and Access Statements?

Statements are documents that explain the design thinking behind an application, to show that the applicant has thought carefully about how everyone, including disabled people, older people and young children will be able to use the places they want to build. They provide an opportunity for the applicant to demonstrate his/her commitment to achieving good design and ensure accessible design. Statements should include a written description of the proposal and a justification for the application. Photographs, maps and drawings would be helpful further to illustrate the points made.

The statement needs to make reference to the relevant planning policies in the Council's Unitary Development Plan, the Local Development Framework (LDF),  Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPGs) and Conservation Area Design Guidelines.  Statements should provide a clear reason for any departures from policy.  For most straightforward applications the statement will be short, whereas more complicated applications will require a detailed report.

Each statement should be individual to the application and should not be templated. The statements do not form part of the documents to be approved and therefore compliance to all or part will have to be secured by condition.

The statement should address the following:

DESIGN

  • The design process - explain the design principles and concepts. Amount of development - how much will be built on site, number of units/floor space, how the development complies with the principles of sustainability and energy conservation
  • Use - what buildings and spaces will be used for
  • Layout - how the buildings, private/public spaces are to be arranged on site and their relationship. Should also demonstrate how crime prevention measures have been considered in the design
  • Scale - how big the buildings and spaces will be in terms of their height/ width /length
  • Appearance - details of materials/architectural details
  • Landscaping - treatment of private and public spaces with hard and soft landscaping and their maintenance

ACCESS 

  • Definition - for the purpose of the statement, access relates to the development and does not extend to internal aspects of individual buildings. It should describe how equal and convenient access is provided to building spaces and the public transport network
  • Access for emergency services - should be explained where relevant

 

Contact Details

Contact name
Planning Control
Telephone
020 8726 6800
Email
planning.control@croydon.gov.uk
Address
Planning Control
Croydon Council
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon CR9 1JT

How do you rate this information / service?

What does this rating mean?