Most applications for planning permission and listed building consent are required by law to be accompanied by a statement explaining the underlying design concepts and principles and demonstrating how these have affected the overall design as well as showing how access issues have been adddressed.
These design and access statements differ from statements of significance in that they look at design and access arrangements, rather than the significance of the building as a heritage asset.
The Planning Portal provides useful guidance on Design and access statements at 1505220.pdf