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New Build / Extension

Conversion

Daylight and Sunlight Assessments for Commercial Developers

If you’re looking for effective and efficient Daylight and Sunlight assessments for your proposed commercial property, then look no further. Here at Smith Marston, we are pleased to offer Daylight and Sunlight assessments and reports for commercial developers to help you during the planning process.

The Nature of Your Scheme

Depending on the building work you are planning on carrying out, there are specific planning rules and regulations you must adhere to. Whether you are starting a building project from scratch, such as a new housing development requirements or extending an existing property, you need to consider the appropriate planning.

The Importance of Daylight and Sunlight Assessments

As we’ve touched upon on our general Daylight and Sunlight assessment page, this report is an essential part of the planning application process. In fact, as it analyses the potential impact of a development on the daylight, sunlight and overshadowing of the surrounding properties, often planning applications will not be validated until the assessment has been carried out. It also ensures that new rooms or habitable properties planned to be built will also receive sufficient daylight and sunlight. 

It is important not to confuse a Daylight and Sunlight assessment with a Right to Light assessment, as the latter is optional but the former is often a requirement requested by the Local Authority. 

What is Considered in the Daylight and Sunlight Assessment?

When a daylight and sunlight assessment is carried out on a commercial building, the following is considered;

  • Daylight to neighbouring windows
  • Daylight within neighbouring habitable rooms
  • Sunlight to neighbouring windows
  • Sunlight with neighbouring habitable rooms
  • Sunlight to neighbouring gardens and outdoor amenity areas
  • Daylight and sunlight in the proposed residential accommodation

How Smith Marston Can Help

To make your planning permission process as smooth as possible, you should consider obtaining a Daylight and Sunlight assessment before it is requested by the Local Authority. Having a completed assessment submitted with the rest of your planning application can speed up the process and make your overall application more transparent. 

This is where we can help you! 

At Smith Marston, we can conduct a detailed Daylight and Sunlight assessment for your property using our 3D CAD modelling software. 

We will also undertake the potential tests needed in line with the BRE guide known as “Site Layout Planning for Daylight & Sunlight – A Guide to Good Practice”.

We pride ourselves on our quality services, so if you would like to get in touch with a member of our team to discuss any queries you have, simply call or email us. Or, if you have any assessments you would like us to carry out, we can arrange to carry these out at a time that suits you.

Find out more about Daylight and Sunlight assessments available, and learn more about the different details surrounding new properties, extensions and conversions.