Design and Access Statements in London

Bespoke Design & Access Statements for London Planning Applications.

Professional Design and Access Statement Services Across London

A well-prepared Design and Access Statement can play a crucial role in the success of a planning application in London. At Cedar Planning, we prepare bespoke Design and Access Statements in London that clearly explain the design rationale behind development proposals and demonstrate how access for all users has been carefully considered.

Our statements are produced by experienced planning professionals and are tailored to the specific site, borough and planning context, giving applicants and architects the strongest possible supporting document.

We can provide Design and Access Statements either as part of our planning application service, or as a standalone service. This includes creating planning statements for architects or directly to clients.

For more complex projects, we also recommend a Planning Statement. See our dedicated webpage here for more information.

Our Design and Access Statement Services in London

We prepare Design and Access Statements for a wide range of development types, including:

Householder Extensions & Alterations
Change of Use Applications
New Residential Development
Commercial & Mixed-Use Schemes
Leisure and Community Development
Renewable Energy Projects

Statements can be provided as part of a full planning application service or as a standalone commission for architects, developers and private clients.

How We Prepare Your London Design and Access Statement

Our approach is structured, policy-led and design-focused:

Site & Context Review – Understanding the site, surroundings and planning constraints
Design Principles – Clearly explaining layout, scale, appearance and landscaping
Access Strategy – Demonstrating inclusive access and movement
Policy Alignment – Addressing relevant borough and London-wide policies
Clear Presentation – Producing a concise, professional and persuasive document

Each Design and Access Statement is written specifically for the proposal — never templated or reused.

What is a Design and Access Statement?

A Design and Access Statement is a formal planning document that explains:

The design principles and concepts informing a development
How the proposal responds to its site and surroundings
How inclusive access has been considered for all users

Design and Access Statements are required for:

Major development
Listed building applications
Development within Conservation Areas

In practice, they are also highly beneficial for smaller schemes, including householder extensions and changes of use, particularly within London’s sensitive and design-led planning environment.

Design and Access Statements in a London Context

London planning decisions place a strong emphasis on design quality, character and accessibility. Design and Access Statements in London often need to address:

Borough-specific design policies
Conservation area and heritage considerations
Townscape and streetscape impact
Residential amenity and neighbour relationships
Inclusive access and movement

Our Design and Access Statements clearly demonstrate how proposals respond positively to these issues, helping planning officers and decision-makers understand the quality of the design approach.

When Is a Planning Statement Also Required?

For more complex developments, a Design and Access Statement is often best supported by a separate Planning Statement, which deals in detail with planning policy and material considerations. See our dedicated Planning Statement page for more information.

Why Choose Cedar Planning?

✔ RTPI-Qualified Planning Consultants
✔ Bespoke Design and Access Statements
✔ Strong Understanding of London Borough Policies
✔ Attention to Detail & Clear Design Justification
✔ Fast Turnaround (subject to availability)
✔ UK-Wide Service, with London Specialism

We focus on producing documents that are not only compliant, but genuinely helpful to planning officers.

Related Planning Services

You may also find the following services helpful:

London Planning Consultancy Services
Planning Statements
Planning Applications & Appeals

Request a Design and Access Statement in London

If you require a Design and Access Statement in London, contact Cedar Planning today to discuss your project and timescales.