daylight sunlight assessment cost
Get a clear handle on daylight & sunlight assessment cost before you commit. We scope work to BRE 209 requirements covering neighbouring VSC/NSL/APSH, internal daylight, and overshadowing, with fixed deliverables and timelines that support validation, officer review and committee.
what is a daylight and sunlight assessment
A daylight and sunlight assessment is a technical study used for planning to show how a proposed development will affect natural light. It follows BRE 209 guidance, testing neighbouring daylight with VSC and NSL, neighbouring sunlight with APSH where relevant, and, if agreed with the planning authority, internal daylight to new rooms using metrics such as DF, UDI or NSDTM. It can also measure overshadowing of gardens and amenity spaces by checking the proportion that receives at least two hours of sun on 21 March.
The assessment turns those tests into a clear planning report with drawings, schedules and a narrative that explains compliance, impacts and any design changes that improve performance. It supports pre app discussions, full applications and committee decisions. Importantly, it is separate from Right to Light, which is a private legal easement, so you can pass BRE 209 and still need a Right to Light strategy.
2-4 Ringers Road, Bromley
Wadworth Brewery, New Park Street
360, 17 Marlborough Street, Bristol
At-a-glance
| Topic | Neighbouring Daylight (VSC/NSL) | Neighbouring Sunlight (APSH) | Internal Daylight (Proposed) | Overshadowing (Open Space) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Protect neighbours’ reasonable daylight. | Safeguard sunlight to main rooms. | Demonstrate quality of proposed rooms. | Ensure usable sun in gardens/courtyards. |
| Inputs |
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|
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| Testing | VSC & NSL pre/post with hotspot identification. | APSH pre/post for relevant rooms. | DF/UDI/NSDTM (as agreed with LPA). | % area with ≥2h sun on 21 March. |
| Mitigation levers | Setbacks, step-backs, chamfers. | Local height trims, massing gaps. | Window/VT, layout tweaks, lighter finishes, lightwells. | Height trims, setbacks, gaps, orientation tweaks. |
| Outputs | Tables, drawings, narrative. | Tables, drawings, narrative. | Room schedules, diagrams, assumptions. | Plans/diagrams with % compliance. |
| Optional add-ons | Officer meeting / committee visuals. | Seasonal sun panels. | Reflected ceiling/finish strategies. | Hourly shadow series 9–18h. |
What drives cost?
- Scope & complexity: neighbouring windows count, internal rooms to test, overshadowing areas
- Inputs & data quality: DWG/CAD vs PDFs, layout completeness, façade/glazing info
- Iterations: number of design options and mitigation tests
- Programme: expedited turnarounds, pre-app/committee support
- Add-ons: internal daylight, overshadowing, visuals packs, meetings
Faq
Got questions about right to light in London?
Below are answers to the most common right to light questions we receive from London homeowners, architects and developers covering law, process, fees and what to send us.
Yes – once scope and inputs are defined, we agree a fixed fee with clear deliverables.
A focused BRE scope matching your validation list, with consolidated iterations.
New dwellings commonly require internal daylight; gardens/courtyards often need overshadowing. We’ll align to your LPA’s policy.
BRE is guidance, not law. With good design and context-led justification, managed shortfalls can be acceptable.
DWG files, accurate room uses, glazing data (VT/areas), and early policy notes from your planner.