We are highly experienced Rights of Light and Daylight and Sunlight experts. We can advise on complex developments, supply planning reports, and provide many other services as listed below, which can support the success of your project.

 

Rights of Light in England and Wales

In England and Wales, a ‘right to light’ is an easement that is acquired by a dominant owner (adjoining owner), which carries the right to receive sufficient natural light through defined apertures, such as windows, over a servient owner (developer/building owner). Rights to light easements are civil, privately enforceable rights that fall under the law of nuisance. We advise developers, funders, architects, and adjoining owners, providing expert advice concerning all properties ages and types across the UK in this regard.

 

Daylight and Sunlight

Daylight and Sunlight planning is based on the BRE Report “Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight: a guide to good practice (BR209)”, which advises on how to achieve good access to daylight and sunlight for both neighbouring properties and within applicable developments themselves.  We can support your projects by providing assessments and reports, to determine both the impacts to existing buildings, amenity areas, and the adequacy within new proposed developments.

 

PBC’s Expert Solutions

Led by Desrine Oak, with over twenty years of experience and an expert in neighbourly matters, including Party Walls, Rights of Light and Daylight and Sunlight, our team are adept at advising on complex building requirements, and offering cost-effective pragmatic solutions.

 

Our  Service includes:

• High-level site appraisals.
• Pre-Acquisition Advice.
• Site Optimisation; Maximum Building Envelopes.
• Detailed Technical Analysis.
• Risk assessment and mitigation advice.
• Scheme cutbacks or enhancements.
• Bespoke Strategic Reporting, including potential financial liabilities.
• Expert Witness.
• Right to Light Negotiations and Settlements.
• Light Obstruction Notices (LONs) (explanatory Notes).
• Daylight and Sunlight Planning advice for both developers and occupiers.
• Pre-planning daylight and sunlight studies.
• Detailed BRE daylight and sunlight studies.
• EIA analysis and ES chapters.
• Expert witness and planning representation.
• Peer reviews.
• Overshadowing studies, including transient overshadowing studies.
• Tree impact assessments.
• BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) assessments.

 

To read our latest Rights of Light and Daylight and Sunlight news feature, please click here.

PBC conduct under BRE best practice guidelines.

To enquire further, contact Desrine Oak, Senior Associate Director.