Access to and use of buildings
Development is required to be sustainable. Therefore, from its
inception, it is expected that a project will be informed by
inclusive design based upon BS8300 and use specific guidance. This
will enable all people, without undue separation or special
measures, in safety and convenience, to participate in the
activities afforded by the development. 
Planning
Policy
Planning policies are in place, including access policies.
However, developers will be aware of the Planning and Compulsory
Purchase Act 2004. Local planning authorities are now implementing
this Act by way of the preparation of local development framework
documents; including, the Statement of Community
Involvement.
Design and access
statements
In order to ensure inclusive design, from 10th
August 2006, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires
that applications for planning permission will be accompanied with
a design and access statement.
This will cover all the relevant planning considerations to justify
the development, the choice of the site, the location of buildings,
access to and between them and, their appearance.
On new buildings it will be assumed that building control
compliance is implicit in the design proposal. In the case of
alterations, extensions and changes of use, it is strongly
recommended that prior consultation is held with Building Control to ensure that compliant
approaches and internal layouts are achievable.
Building Regulations Part
M
Approved Document M, as revised in 2004, is based upon parts
of British Standard BS 8300.
On new buildings it will be assumed that compliance with Part
M is implicit in the design proposal. In the case of alterations,
extensions and changes of use, it is strongly recommended that
prior consultations are held with Building Control to ensure
that compliant approaches and internal layouts are
achievable.
An inability to comply with Part M should be indicated within
the design and access statement providing a justification and
details of the deviation proposed.
Disability Discrimination Act
1995-2005 (DDA)
Guidance to Part II of the DDA Employment advises that
if the physical features of a workplace comply with Part M, an
employer is being reasonable.
Part III of the DDA, Access to goods, facilities and
services (services) states that if a physical feature of
buildings make use of a service, by a disabled person,
either impossible or unreasonably difficult, the
feature should be removed, altered, avoided or the service provided
by reasonable alternative means.
Planning and building control will resist approving
applications where the design has physical features that could give
rise to DDA challenge. Information on the DDA is available from
The Disability Rights
Commission.
Please contact access@peterborough.gov.uk
if you need further advice on any of the above issues or indeed any
matter connected with access in the built environment.