All applications for major development,

Applications for development in a designated area, where the proposed development consists of:
• one or more dwellings; or
• a building or buildings with a floor space of 100 square metres or more.
• Applications for listed building consent.

A design and access statement must—

(a) explain the design principles and concepts that have been applied to the development;
(b) demonstrate the steps taken to appraise the context of the development and how the design of the development takes that context into account;
(c) explain the policy adopted as to access, and how policies relating to access in relevant local development documents have been taken into account;
(d) state what, if any, consultation has been undertaken on issues relating to access to the development and what account has been taken of the outcome of any such consultation; and
(e) explain how any specific issues which might affect access to the development have been addressed

Attention is also drawn to the requirement under the Local List for a Crime Impact Statement for specified types of development, such Statements should be incorporated in the Design and Access Statement.

Find more information here on Design and Access Statements