Hi Sue
My view is that a Design and Access Statement would or should be
required, as it doesn't fall into the excluded categories identified
in the Circular.
The reason is that although there are no external or internal
alterations planned, the change of use might actually require
alterations as the use of the space has changed and a review,
consultation and justification ought to be undertaken. For example,
would the public have access to the Taxi Booking office at any stage
and would this require reasonable adjustments to be made? Would there
be a requirement for induction loops or if visually impaired people
are using the provision or may use the provision, there may need to
be other alterations. What about emergency evacuation and the
provision of accessible parking facilities, to name just a couple of issues!
The DDA requires service providers to anticipate the requirements of
disabled people. If it is a private business, I would wonder whether
they are accessible enough to allow for disabled people to apply for
jobs or for pupils and college students to do work experience in the building.
I think the intention of Design and Access Statements was to extend
the requirement under Part M for Access Statements and to ensure that
where there is a change of use or material alterations or new build,
that building stock is gradually improved to improve access. The
value and potential of Design and Access Statements is that they can
cover a whole range of barriers for disabled people that are not
covered under Part M and although it would be difficult to enforce
some of the recommendations for improvements if they are challenged
by the business or service provider, many applications are improved
at pre-application stage and also later in the process.
Best wishes
Flick
At 15:56 27/11/2008, you wrote:
>Planning application for 'Change of use of part of property to Taxi Booking
>Office and installation of aerial.'
>
>No external or internal alterations are planned so access will
>remain the same.
>
>Is a Design and Access Statement required?
>
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Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme visit:
http://www.surface.salford.ac.uk
Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
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