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📐 Design & Access Statement
New to this? A Design & Access Statement is the document many councils require alongside your application — it explains, in their language, why your design works for the site. Answer guided prompts across 7 sections and the builder generates a complete, professionally structured statement ready to submit.
1. Project Details
Basic information about the application site and proposal.
This should match your application description.
2. Site & Context Assessment
Describe the existing site, surroundings, and character of the area.
Describe the building type, plot size, orientation, and any notable features.
Describe architectural style, materials, building heights, spacing, and landscaping patterns.
Hold Ctrl/Cmd to select multiple.
3. Design Principles
Explain the design approach, form, scale, and appearance.
How does the development relate to the plot, street, and neighbouring properties?
Heights, ridge levels, eaves, and how they relate to existing buildings.
External materials, finishes, windows, doors, and roof covering.
4. Access
Describe access arrangements including vehicular, pedestrian, and inclusive access.
How does the proposal address inclusive design and accessibility requirements?
5. Residential Amenity
Address the impact on neighbours — privacy, daylight, outlook, and noise.
6. Planning Policy
Reference relevant national and local planning policies.
Reference specific NPPF paragraphs relevant to your proposal.
Cite the specific local plan policies and how the proposal complies.
7. Additional Considerations
Any other matters — sustainability, drainage, ecology, heritage, etc.
About this tool: Design & Access Statement
The "why our design works" document many councils require with an application. Guided wizard — 7 structured sections covering context analysis, design evolution, access strategy, amenity, and policy response.
When to use it
Required for most applications except householder and changes of use. Check your LPA's validation checklist to confirm whether a DAS is needed.
Policy and guidance it draws on
DMPO 2015 Article 9
Part of Submission Intelligence
Use these tools when preparing your application for submission. The Validation Pre-Flight catches common mistakes before the LPA does. The statement builders help you create policy-backed documents that address officer concerns proactively.
Related tools
Validation Pre-FlightCondition PredictorStatement BuilderDAS Context GeneratorPolicy Compliance MatrixPre-App TemplateCover Letter GeneratorApplication TimelineGuidance to help you prepare — not formal planning advice. Check the current policy text and your council's local plan before relying on it.