Not every planning application requires a Daylight & Sunlight assessment. However, the council may request one where a proposed extension, new building or larger development could affect daylight or sunlight to neighbouring properties or amenity spaces. An assessment may also be needed where daylight and sunlight conditions within a proposed development are relevant. Planning World can review your scheme and advise whether a formal assessment is likely to be required.

A Daylight & Sunlight assessment examines how a proposed development may affect daylight and sunlight conditions. Depending on the project, this can include daylight to neighbouring windows, sunlight availability, daylight distribution within rooms and overshadowing of gardens or amenity spaces. The appropriate tests depend on the development, surrounding buildings and the planning issues being assessed.

Vertical Sky Component (VSC) assesses the amount of skylight reaching the outside of a window. Annual Probable Sunlight Hours (APSH) considers the amount of direct sunlight a window may receive over the year, including during winter months. Overshadowing assessments consider the effect of a development on sunlight reaching outdoor spaces such as gardens and communal amenity areas. These are commonly used as part of daylight and sunlight assessments prepared with reference to BRE guidance.

Not meeting a particular BRE guideline does not automatically mean that planning permission will be refused. BRE guidance is intended to be applied with appropriate flexibility, taking account of the circumstances and context of the development. Where results fall outside the relevant guidance, the planning implications should be assessed carefully and clearly explained. Planning World can review the results and help present the daylight and sunlight effects of the proposal to the local planning authority.

Yes. If a neighbour objects to your planning application because of potential loss of daylight, sunlight or increased overshadowing, a professional assessment can provide objective technical evidence of the likely effects of the proposed development. The report can help the planning officer assess whether the concerns raised are supported by the technical analysis and relevant planning guidance.

Yes. Planning World provides professional Daylight & Sunlight assessments and reports for planning applications. We can review your proposed development, determine the appropriate scope of assessment, undertake the required technical analysis and prepare a clear report for submission to the local planning authority. Depending on the project, this may include VSC, APSH, daylight distribution and overshadowing analysis, together with appropriate 3D modelling.