Do You Need A Daylight & Sunlight Assessment?
What is a Daylight & Sunlight Assessment?
Many local planning authorities require a Daylight & Sunlight Assessment when a proposed development could affect neighbouring properties or where the quality of natural light within the proposed scheme needs to be demonstrated.
Assessments are typically undertaken in accordance with the BRE Guide Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight: A Guide to Good Practice and can form an important part of the planning process. A Daylight & Sunlight Assessment may be required for:
- Apartment schemes
- Housing developments
- Mixed-use developments
- Commercial developments
- Urban infill sites
- Tall building proposals
- Major regeneration schemes
- Schemes seeking BREEAM credits
Planning authorities often require evidence that a development will provide acceptable levels of daylight and sunlight for future occupants whilst minimising impacts on neighbouring properties. Early assessment helps identify potential concerns, reduce planning risk and avoid costly redesign work later in the process.
What Does a Daylight & Sunlight Assessment Cover?
Comprehensive Analysis to Support Planning Success
Our assessments provide a detailed review of the potential daylight and sunlight effects of a development on both neighbouring properties and future occupants.
Daylight Analysis
Assessment of available natural daylight within existing and proposed buildings using recognised BRE methodologies.
Sunlight Analysis
Review of direct sunlight availability to habitable rooms and external amenity spaces.
Vertical Sky Component
Assessment of daylight reaching neighbouring windows to determine potential impacts.
No Sky Line
Evaluation of how deeply and effectively daylight penetrates into internal neighbouring rooms.
Daylight Factor
Measurement of expected daylight levels within proposed accommodation.
Glare Analysis
Analysis of the risk of glare to computer screens.
Overshadowing Assessment
Assessment of impacts on gardens, communal spaces and amenity areas.
3D Modelling & Visualisation
Computer modelling to demonstrate existing and proposed conditions.
Why Choose MES Building Solutions?
Planning-Focused Advice
A successful planning outcome requires more than simply identifying compliance issues. Our approach focuses on helping design teams understand risks early and develop practical solutions that support planning approval.
Benefits
What is the Process?
Simple, Efficient, Clear
Our proven step-by-step process keeps your project on track and delivered on time.
Step 1
We review your proposals, planning requirements, and site constraints.
Step 2
Drawings, site information and surrounding property details are gathered.
Step 3
A detailed computer model of the proposed development is produced.
Step 4
We undertake all relevant daylight & sunlight tests in line with BRE guidance.
Step 5
Findings are reviewed and compiled into a comprehensive report.
Recent Project Experience
Daylight & Sunlight Assessments
Our specialist consultants deliver detailed daylight and sunlight analysis for developments across the UK, helping clients demonstrate compliance, minimise planning objections and create high-quality places for future occupants.
A new community building in St. Albans
A house extension in North London.
A new 570 apartment development in Reading.
The residential conversion of an existing office block in Newcastle.
What Our Clients Say
Their team explained everything clearly and worked seamlessly with our architects. A real asset to the project.
ST, Planning Consultant
Frequently Asked Questions
A Daylight & Sunlight Assessment is a technical study that evaluates the impact of a proposed development on natural light levels within surrounding properties and the proposed development itself. Assessments are typically undertaken to support planning applications.
Many local planning authorities request assessments for developments where neighbouring properties could be affected or where natural light quality within the proposed scheme must be demonstrated.
Most assessments are undertaken in accordance with BRE’s Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight: A Guide to Good Practice, which is widely recognised by planning authorities throughout the UK.
No. Requirements vary depending on the scale, location and nature of the development, as well as local planning policy.
Vertical Sky Component (VSC) measures the amount of visible sky available from a neighbouring window and helps assess the potential impact of a development on daylight levels.
Not necessarily. BRE guidance is advisory rather than mandatory. Planning authorities will often consider wider planning benefits, design constraints and mitigation measures alongside the assessment findings.
Turnaround times vary by project size and complexity, but we aim for 10-15 working days on most projects.
Yes. We regularly work with design teams to identify opportunities for optimisation before planning submission, helping to improve compliance and reduce planning risk.
Yes. MES Building Solutions provides Daylight & Sunlight Assessments for projects throughout the UK.