Statements & Reports

Statements & Reports

Planning Statements

A planning statement is an essential document accompanying many planning applications. It provides a clear, balanced justification for the proposed development, ensuring that planning officers understand its merits and can make informed decisions. Without a well-prepared planning statement, your application may face unnecessary hurdles due to a lack of detailed supporting information.

Purpose of a Planning Statement

A planning statement aims to:

  • Contextualise the Proposal: Highlight the surrounding context and explain the need for the development.
  • Align with Policy: Demonstrate compliance with national, regional, and local planning policies.
  • Address Emerging Policies: Incorporate considerations for emerging planning policies that may affect the application.
  • Evaluate Material Considerations: Identify and assess material considerations such as precedents, national policies, or site-specific factors that may influence the decision.

Planning statements are particularly useful for addressing inconsistencies within development plans. Policies may, for example, promote residential development to alleviate housing demand while simultaneously restricting growth in specific areas like green spaces. In such cases, the planning statement weighs these conflicts and presents a clear justification for the proposal.

Key Inclusions

  • A detailed assessment of how the development complies with relevant policies.
  • Identification of any material considerations that support the proposal.
  • An evaluation of the proposal's social, economic, and environmental impacts, balancing benefits against any potential drawbacks.

Heritage Statements

If your proposal affects a heritage asset or its setting, a heritage statement is a required document. These statements provide an in-depth analysis of the heritage asset’s significance and evaluate the potential impact of the proposed development.

What is a Heritage Asset?

A heritage asset could be a building, monument, site, or area identified for its historical, architectural, or archaeological importance. It may include:

  • Listed buildings
  • Conservation areas
  • Locally listed buildings or structures
  • Sites of historic interest

Purpose of a Heritage Statement 

A heritage statement supports your application by:

  • Describing the Asset: Providing an overview of the heritage asset, its significance, and its setting.
  • Evaluating Impact: Assessing how the proposed development might affect the asset’s character or significance.
  • Justifying Proposals: Offering justification for the works, including any mitigation measures to minimise harm.

Key Inclusions

  • A description of the heritage asset and its historical context.
  • An assessment of the asset’s significance, identifying elements of high, medium, or low importance.
  • Details of the proposed works and their impact on the asset.
  • Justifications or mitigation strategies to address potential harm.

Heritage statements are crucial for applications involving listed buildings, properties within conservation areas, or developments adjacent to heritage assets.

Design and Access Statements

LSE Planning can provide expertly crafted Design and Access Statements (DAS) as part of our comprehensive planning services. These documents play a crucial role in ensuring the success of planning applications, especially for developments in conservation areas. By demonstrating the design principles and accessibility considerations behind a proposal, a DAS helps planning authorities and stakeholders understand how your development fits into its surroundings.

When is a Design and Access Statement Required?

A Design and Access Statement is necessary for:

  • Major Developments, such as:
    • Residential projects providing 10 or more dwellings.
    • Developments on sites larger than 0.5 hectares.
    • Non-residential buildings with a floor space exceeding 1,000 square metres.
  • Developments in Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites, including:
    • Proposals for one or more new dwellings.
    • Non-residential projects with a floor space of 100 square metres or more.

These statements ensure that the planning authority and third parties fully understand the thought process behind the design and access elements of your proposal, particularly for developments that may have a significant impact on their surroundings.

Purpose of a Design and Access Statement

A DAS demonstrates how a proposal integrates with its context and addresses accessibility. It aims to:

  • Explain Design Principles: Highlight the choices made regarding layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping.
  • Demonstrate Context Awareness: Show how the design respects and responds to the surrounding environment.
  • Justify Access Decisions: Outline how the proposal ensures accessibility for all users, including considerations for disabled individuals and emergency services.
  • Align with Policy: Detail how the design complies with relevant planning policies, including local and national guidelines.

Key Components of a Design and Access Statement

A well-prepared DAS addresses the following: 

Amount:

  • For residential developments, this includes the number of proposed units.
  • For other projects, it covers the total floor space by use type, explaining how it relates to the site and maximises accessibility.

Layout:

  • Details how buildings, routes, and open spaces are arranged in relation to one another and their surroundings.
  • Demonstrates how the layout fosters safe, accessible, and vibrant environments.

Scale:

  • Explains the height, width, and length of buildings and their relationship to the surrounding area.
  • Justifies decisions on building proportions and their impact on the local skyline or streetscape. 

Landscaping:

  • Describes how private and public spaces are treated to enhance amenities, address sustainability, and ensure climate adaptability.

Appearance:

  • Explores the visual characteristics of the development, including architecture, materials, and finishes.
  • Demonstrates how the design enhances its setting and addresses accessibility.

Access:

  • Provides details on how the development ensures equal and convenient access for all users.
  • Discusses transport links, circulation routes, and access for emergency services.

Why Choose Us?

We have the expertise to prepare thorough and professional planning, heritage and design and access statements tailored to your project. Our team ensures that your application is supported by strong, evidence-based documentation, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome. Whether you're developing a new project, repurposing a building, or working with heritage assets, we’re here to guide you through the process. Contact us today to discuss how we can help make your planning application a success.