Late consideration of the strategy appraisal, might reduce the study to a ‘paper exercise’, with minimal value to the project.
However, where the assessor is satisfied that there is clear justification for the study being developed at a slightly later stage (i.e. early RIBA stage 3) AND there is clear evidence that the strategy has achieved the intended outcomes (i.e. the later consideration has been in no way detrimental to the outcomes of the strategy study/appraisal and the benefits can still be realised on the project), this will be sufficient for compliance. In any case, all other requirements of the issue must be met for the credit to be awarded.
The requirements for the timing of the functional adaptation strategy study are intended to ensure that the benefits of the study are realised through early consideration.