Design and Access Statement Consultants

At Cedar Planning, we are specialist Design and Access Statement Consultants. We take the burden of writing complex planning documents off your shoulders, delivering persuasive, policy-compliant statements that give your project the best chance of success.

Whether you are a homeowner struggling with validation requirements, or an architect looking to outsource your report writing, our team of Chartered Town Planners is here to help.

We can provide Design and Access Statements either as part of our planning application service, or as a standalone service. This includes creating planning statements for architects or directly to clients.

For more complex projects, we also recommend a Planning Statement. See our dedicated webpage for more information.

Our Design and Access Statement Writing Service

A Design and Access Statement (DAS) is more than just a box-ticking exercise; it is your opportunity to sell the "story" of your development to the Council. A poorly written DAS can lead to invalid applications or even refusal.

We provide a full DAS writing service that covers:

• Residential Developments: From single-storey extensions to major housing schemes.

• Heritage Projects: Statements for Listed Building Consent and Conservation Areas.

• Commercial Schemes: Justifying change of use, layout changes, and new business premises.

• Retrospective Applications: Arguing the case for work already completed.

Why Hire a Design and Access Statement Consultant?

Many applicants attempt to write these documents themselves using generic "Design and Access Statement templates". These often fail because they do not address the specific local planning policies of your council.

As professional consultants, we ensure your document is:

1. Validation Ready: Our DAS meet the local validation checklist requirements, preventing costly delays.

2. Policy Focused: We reference the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and your Local Plan to justify the design.

3. Persuasive: We turn constraints into opportunities, explaining why a design choice was made (e.g., why a specific material was chosen to match the local character).

What Is Included in Our Statements?

To ensure compliance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) Order, our statements address the mandatory design components:

• Context: How the proposal respects the immediate surroundings and neighbourhood character.

• Use: Justification for the proposed function of the building.

• Amount & Scale: Explaining why the size and density of the development is appropriate.

• Layout: How the buildings, routes, and open spaces are arranged.

• Appearance: Details on architectural style, materials, and visual impact.

• Access: Ensuring the site is accessible for emergency services, waste collection, and users with disabilities.

Design and Access Statements Case Studies

Subdivision into Flats – Harrow. The Challenge: Converting a single dwelling into four self-contained flats involving complex extensions. Our Result: We acted as a design partner, refining the plans to meet space standards and producing a DAS with a detailed precedent analysis.

Class MA Approval – London. The Challenge: Converting a vacant shop to residential use under strict Class MA rights. Our Result: Our feasibility study identified space for two flats instead of one. We drafted the Class MA Statement and DAS, proving compliance with transport and noise regulations to secure the permission.

Householder Extension – Medway. The Challenge: A client assumed their extension was Permitted Development. Our Result: We identified that PD rights had been removed, preventing a potential enforcement nightmare. We submitted a full planning application with a persuasive DAS, arguing that the design respected the local character and the host dwelling.

Commercial to Residential – Manchester. The Challenge: Reactivating empty upper floors above a commercial unit. Our Result: We addressed complex city-centre issues like noise and access. Our statement successfully argued that the loss of commercial space was justified by the creation of high-quality new city-centre homes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is a Design and Access Statement required? A DAS is mandatory for all "Major" developments, providing one or more dwellings in a Conservation Area, and for Listed Building Consent applications. However, many councils encourage them for smaller householder applications to help justify the scheme.

It can often be beneficial for a Design and Access Statement to be accompanied by a Planning Statement. For many smaller projects we can combine these two documents together for a cost-effective solution.

Can I write my own Design and Access Statement? Yes, you can, but it carries risk. If you miss key policy arguments or fail to address "material considerations," your application may be refused. Using a professional consultant ensures the document effectively supports your case.

Get a Quote for Your Design and Access Statement

Don't let paperwork hold up your project. Contact our expert team today.