Access Appraisals and Access Statements
Access Appraisals Working on building projects as part of the design team is one of the most stimulating sides of being an access consultant. We have been fortunate to be involved in a series of award-winning schemes. We work closely with the client and the architect, preferably from RIBA Stage C. As the projects develop, we introduce comments on design details. It is important not to overload the design team with detail when they are discussing the strategy of the site, so we tailor our reports to the specific design stage of the project.Access Statements Design and Access Statements are required as part of submitting Planning Submissions. One service we offer, as independent access consultants, is to assess the access provision in your building project at planning stage. We will succinctly summarise the issues concerning physical and sensory access as part of the submission Design and Access Statement.
Access Statements are often required as part of Building Regulations Submissions, especially when dealing with existing or historic buildings or landscapes. They are required to explain why the recognised standards cannot be met, perhaps because specific features cannot be altered. For instance it may not be permitted to alter a doorway of a listed building or a small shop unit may not have sufficient space to provide an Approved Document M sized wheelchair accessible WC. We will offer our experienced guidance on such issues.
Relevant Access Standards We have in depth knowledge of the range of relevant access standards, including Building Regulations Approved Document M, British Standards BS8300 and BS9999 and Regulatory Reform Order.