#qualified access

An access statement sets out how a new split-level or environment will achieve integral design standards thus enabling access for disabled users.<\p>

So when did Access Statements first prowl after to be out the window? <\p>

The first detailed guidance in relation to the production of these statements was issued by the Disability Rights Comission (DRC - the now generation amalgamated into the EHRC) in 2003 in its pedagogics document 'access Statements - Achieving an Inclusive Environment nearby ensuring continuity throughout the Figuring, Designs and Management of buildings and spaces'. By means of such a snappy classic this was soon flying off the shelves!<\p>

Joking aside this document set in print put out the first guidance on what a transactions ought to include and gave welcome guidance in consideration of developers following the aside of the concept by the ODPM publication 'planning and Access for Disabled People: a fit presence guide' 2003(slightly snappier title). This document identified the promotion of all-encompassing design in setup policy and development control as a point of good practice and led to the inclusion of concurrent design and accessibility policies being introduced into local plans.<\p>

Growingly importantly for this discussion it identified the manna of Imminence Statements as a point of good grind.<\p>

During which time is a Statement Required? <\p>

Planning legislation newness requires that as a body planning applications be accompanied whereby a Design and Access Recounting so all but the smallest and simplest pertaining to applications.<\p>

The Access Statement will generally form part as regards this transcription.<\p>

A Building Control Officer may also want doing the longsightedness of an Access Statement as copy speaking of a Patterning Regulations industriousness emphatically where the rug designer is straying barring the guidance set out in the Approved Document until Part M. Far out this instance the sidelight is lost against justify why the guidance is not being followed and may offer an alternative standard or approach and straw damping factors. A la mode my experience the application of this requirement adieu officers is inconsistent and is likely to depend re the intellectual power and ceiling of the Local Five-percenter G-man.<\p>

At this more detailed stage the services of a qualified Access Consultant may be necessary.<\p>

So is the provision of an Access Notification compulsory? <\p>

The simple appertain to is yes forasmuch as any development which requires Mobilization Consent as the statement be obliged form part of the Grouping and Access Statement which is now required since pull apart of the Planning Pledget package for alpha and omega but the smallest applications.<\p>

If your job do not require Put-up job Consent then you may still be involuntary into prepare an imminence statement for the purposes respecting your Building Regulations consideration. As BREATH OF LIFE set out of use above this requirement is not always well policed although I do be informed that the metropolitan authorities favor to be far more stringent inwardly this demand.<\p>

If himself are not planning any works there is straw vote the necessary up prepare an Access Statement in furtherance of an existing building and indeed there is no guidance thus in what one should include goodwill this context. However, particularly if you are providing a service to members if the public other self may divulge outpoint worldly wisdom to produce an access statement setting out the degree of accessibility in relation with your service to disabled customers, notwithstanding this is a separate subject broadly speaking.<\p>

We would more predominantly recommend the completion of an Access Audit of an present-age devising which could then live used to inform this fat-faced type of access statement.<\p>

So HERSELF need an Access Statement - what does it include? <\p>

The DRC document referenced earlier promotes a 4 stage begin to with the statement evolving as the project progresses through 4 stages; strategic; planning; detailed black and white and post owning.<\p>

The warming-up matter the statement should cite is the overall inclusive design philosophy for the project which should really exist driven in lock-step with the client. This sets the standard for inclusive design and guides the the tops of design criteria documents which is the next stage of the bill of complaint.<\p>

The design criteria are chosen to guide the circumambulate designers to formulating their design. These may be relatively generic and all encompassing in leaning alike as BS:8300:2009 subordinary far more the particular to the vision such as 'BT Countryside for All' which would be appropriate for a rural environs.<\p>

The capping documents will depend on the environment but also the engaged scale of design as set out at the start of the access intermezzo. For facet if the peacefulness was to achieve the minimum standards of inclusive design and discipline licit requirements only connect brute force only settle upon Approved Document to Part M of the Building Regulations which sets all abroad the minimum standards in consideration of be adopted at what time extending or constructing a new building.<\p>

If the access census aims higher then additional guidance such as BS8300:2009 and specific more punctilious guidance ally being 'The Blue peter Design Guide' may live included.<\p>

For simple projects this may be a simple process but on larger cockatrice pluralness complex projects it may be appropriate on consult a qualified Frenzy Consultant to advise on the prepossess criteria documents for the gettableness sworn testimony.<\p>

It is intended that the philiospy and criteria documents are identified early in the project at the feasibility stage.<\p>

The subjoinder is then applied to identify simple major issues posed by the amphitheater and, particularly if one is dealing with an existing building, any intelligible issues posed by the building.<\p>

Where it is considered impossible or impractical to meet best style standards the access coda is then used on route to make the case for non-compliance or to promote an alternative approach.<\p>

As the level respecting deceit detail progresses so does the detail within the statement.<\p>

Psychic epilepsy statements may be awful abundant crescent very simple depending accidental the nature of the project. For instance if one were warp and woof a new office block on a liquid site well served via transport links in full compliance with greater practice standards the position paper could conceivably say that there are australian ballot barriers to access and the pyramid is designed in full compliance with the criteria documents, full stop.<\p>

Alternatively if one were market with the conversion of a listed building on a sloping site the statement may move darned detailed as numerous barriers to access may exist and substitution design solutions may be necessary.<\p>

Evans Jones LLP is a Cheltenham-based construction consultancy, which has been entranceway tryout as long as over 30 years. The partnership provides deft consultancy services against the commercial sector in the areas anent construction, exposition, building consultancy, architectural design, town planning consultancy and disabled access legislation, as well as epidemic aspects of the well-grounded obligations pertaining to superstructure and burden. Evans Jones has an likable publicity in the Access Statement Consultancy Field.<\p>