Neighbourly Matters

Neighbourly Matters

Our Neighbourly Matters team advises clients on issues arising during the planning and construction of development schemes, acting for both developers and owners or occupiers of neighbouring properties.

Whether you are bringing forward a development or responding to one nearby, early advice from an experienced consultant is essential. This can include assessing potential impacts, reviewing risk strategy, negotiating agreements and fulfilling statutory obligations where required. Our skilled team represents your best interests and rights, no matter what type of property or land you own. Read our insights into the development of tall buildings (20+ storeys) in London here.

Operating across the UK, we encounter and resolve a wide range of situations and scenarios every day, so you can be confident you are in good hands. Working closely with experts across supporting disciplines, our team develops innovative solutions and uses insight and lateral thinking to resolve issues that may appear unworkable or deadlocked.

We support developers from inception to completion, helping to maximise development potential, while also representing neighbours to construction projects to help protect and preserve their assets.

Our services include:

Daylight & Sunlight Amenity: Our Daylight & Sunlight Amenity services include preparing studies to support planning applications in accordance with BRE Report 209, Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight: A Guide to Good Practice. We also provide representation to local authorities and undertake reviews of studies for local authority planning departments. To view our BRE 25° and 45° Rules of Thumb Factsheet (the methods used as initial screening tests in daylight and sunlight assessments) click here.

Right to Light: Our Right to Light services include preliminary reviews, technical analysis, compensation calculations, envelope studies, cutbacks, Light Obstruction Notices and strategic risk management advice for developers and neighbours. Our team advises clients and designers and works closely with solicitors, insurers and other industry professionals. Read our news article exploring what happens when a neighbouring extension affects the light to your property, and the key considerations homeowners should be aware of here.

Party Walls/Access Arangements: Rapleys assists with all aspects of administering the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, from serving notices and conducting Schedules of Condition to publishing Awards, acting as Building Owner’s, Adjoining Owner’s and Third Surveyor. We advise on access arrangements for crane oversail, scaffolding, ground anchors and hoarding requirements on construction projects. This includes initial risk management analysis, negotiation of licence agreements, practical administration and preparation of Schedules of Condition.

BREEAM Assessment: At Rapleys, we provide BREEAM daylight assessments to support the achievement of Hea 01 (Visual Comfort) credits, helping to optimise interior natural light quality and visual comfort while contributing to sustainable building certification.

Solar Glare & Photovoltaic Assessments: At Rapleys, we assess the potential for solar glare from photovoltaic panels and glazed building façades, identifying and mitigating impacts on nearby roads, railways, airports, and other sensitive receptors. We assess the impact of proposed developments on existing and planned photovoltaic systems, evaluating shading effects and potential energy losses to help inform design decisions and minimise risk.

Neighbourly Matters Seminars

As a centre of excellence in Neighbourly Matters, we regularly deliver seminars for developers, designers, solicitors and other property industry professionals. If your organisation would be interested in one of our talks, or would like further information about our Neighbourly Matters services, please contact us.