What we do

Daylight & Sunlight

Q: When is a daylight and sunlight report needed?

A report is commonly requested where a proposal may affect neighbouring windows, habitable rooms, gardens or open spaces, or where a local authority needs evidence that the proposed accommodation will receive adequate natural light.

Q: Is this the same as right to light?

No. Daylight and sunlight assessments are usually prepared for planning purposes, while right to light is a separate private legal matter. Some projects require both forms of advice, particularly in dense urban locations. If you would like more information on Rights of Light see here.

Q: Can a report help improve the design?

Yes. Early daylight and sunlight input can help refine massing, window positions, layouts and amenity spaces before the design is finalised, reducing the risk of objections or redesign later.

The Rapleys Neighbourly Matters Team can provide clear, robust Daylight and Sunlight assessments to support a planning application, reduce risk and help unlock development potential.

What we do
Building Consultancy
Daylight & Sunlight

BRE Daylight & Sunlight

The Rapleys Neighbourly Matters Team can provide clear, robust Daylight and Sunlight assessments to support a planning application, reduce risk and help unlock development potential.

Whether you are developing a constrained urban site, extending a property or responding to a planning request, a well prepared Daylight and Sunlight report gives decision makers the technical evidence they need. We provide practical, planning focused advice in line with current Building Research Establishment (BRE) document ‘Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight: A guide to good practice (2022)’ and use recognised Daylight and Sunlight assessment methods.

Why Daylight and Sunlight matters?

Natural light is a key planning consideration. Local planning authorities often require applicants to demonstrate that a proposal provides acceptable light for future occupants while protecting neighbouring homes, gardens and amenity spaces from unacceptable loss of Daylight or Sunlight.

Our Neighbourly Matters teams understanding of the BRE guidance help identify issues early, inform design decisions and present results clearly for planning officers, architects, developers and project teams.

Our Daylight and Sunlight report services:

Early design advice: Identifying constraints and opportunities before a scheme is fixed, utilising the BRE 25° and 45° Rules of Thumb where appropriate, helping reduce redesign risk later in the planning process.
Neighbouring property impact assessments: Testing the effect of a proposed development on surrounding windows, rooms and amenity areas.
Overshadowing studies: Assessing sunlight to gardens, courtyards, balconies, terraces and communal open spaces.
Within-development daylight assessments: Reviewing the quality of Daylight and Sunlight available for future occupiers of proposed homes and habitable rooms.
Planning reports and technical notes: Clear, evidence-led documents suitable for submission with planning applications, pre-application advice or design team review.

What we assess

Reports will include the relevant daylight, sunlight and overshadowing tests for the project, such as Vertical Sky Component, daylight distribution, Annual Probable Sunlight Hours and sunlight availability to amenity spaces tests. We tailor the scope to the planning context, the local authority’s requirements and the stage of design.

Our process

Planning-focused advice: Reports are written for real planning decisions, not just technical compliance.
Early risk identification: We help spot Daylight and Sunlight issues before they become costly delays.
Clear communication: Complex results are explained in plain English for planning teams, clients and stakeholders.
Commercially practical: Our advice balances technical assessment, policy context and development objectives.
Responsive turnaround: We work efficiently to support planning deadlines and design programme milestones.

FAQs

When is a daylight and sunlight report needed?

Is this the same as right to light?

Can a report help improve the design?

Claire Willetts

Executive Director of Property & Environment, University of West London

Working with Victoria Bennion over the past two years has been a pleasure. Her advice is always measured and reasonable and her relationships with the planning authorities undoubtedly contribute to their successes. Victoria is responsive and professional and a welcome part of our project team.

Josh Dutfield

CEO, Axminster Group

Axminster Group have a longstanding relationship with Rapleys (and CSJ Planning beforehand) and commend them for their consistently high standard of advice across our property portfolio. Their professional, proactive approach and in-depth planning expertise have added value at every stage, from strategic advice through to successful delivery. The team’s clear communication, responsiveness, commercial awareness, and ability to navigate complex planning challenges have been important in achieving both positive and timely outcomes for our range of sites.

Jen Goode

Headteacher, Longford Park School

We just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the support, hard work and time that you have put into creating our new room at Longford. It hasn’t always been a smooth path but you have been relentless in your perseverance and dedication to get the job completed. We appreciate all your efforts.