Design & Access Statement (DAS) Alignment
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Copy-Ready Wording
Use this paragraph in Design & Access Statements where resident behaviour, private garden management and long-term performance of outdoor space are relevant to the design narrative.
The Self-Sustaining Garden programme is not a design requirement or compliance measure within a Design & Access Statement. It is a resident-facing stewardship resource that helps homeowners manage their private gardens in ways that support soil health, planting establishment, biodiversity and low-impact use of outdoor space. Referencing the programme can strengthen the narrative around long-term care, quality of place and responsible resident engagement.
How DAS Documents Are Structured
Design & Access Statements typically address:
- Design principles and the rationale behind the proposed layout
- Landscape structure, hierarchy and character
- How spaces will function for residents over time
- Access, movement and inclusivity
- Integration with ecological, drainage and Green Infrastructure strategies
SSG can support the DAS narrative by demonstrating how long-term resident behaviour aligns with the intended design quality and landscape strategy.
What the Programme Does Not Do
The Self-Sustaining Garden programme:
- Does not influence or determine the design layout
- Does not replace landscape, ecological or SuDS design decisions
- Does not constitute evidence of compliance with planning policies
- Must not be presented as a formal design measure or design code element
How the Programme Supports DAS Narratives
Although not part of the design process, the programme can reinforce themes commonly addressed in DAS documents, particularly those relating to long-term use, quality of place and resident experience.
It supports narratives around:
- The longevity and resilience of planting within private gardens
- Resident understanding of landscape intent and appropriate garden care
- Behaviour that complements wider drainage, ecological or Green Infrastructure design
- Consistent stewardship that maintains the aesthetic and functional aims of the scheme
- Reducing risks that undermine design quality after occupation
This enhances the narrative that high-quality design is supported by practical, scalable stewardship once residents move in.
Where It Can Be Referenced in a DAS
The programme may be referenced in relevant narrative sections of a DAS, including:
- Landscape or Green Infrastructure narrative
- Long-term management and stewardship sections
- Resident experience or placemaking sections
- Sustainability or nature-positive design commentary
It should not be presented as influencing the design layout, policy compliance or statutory elements of the DAS.
Doā€™s and Donā€™ts
Do:
- Use the programme to demonstrate commitment to long-term design quality
- Describe how stewardship supports the intended function and feel of private gardens
- Reference it in narrative-only sections such as placemaking, landscape and management
Donā€™t:
- Present the programme as a design intervention or element of the scheme layout
- Use it as evidence of compliance with planning policies or technical standards
- Include it in any statutory or assessment-based sections of the DAS
