Rights to light is an easement providing property owners with the right to receive natural light through windows or other openings. It is designed to protect buildings from light obstructions caused by new developments.

Current planning law states that this right is to a certain amount of light and not to all of the light that was once enjoyed. Complex mathematical calculations are required to determine whether or not a development causes an infringement. This is where the Surveybase team can help. In development schemes where issues of rights of light can influence the outcome, we offer value, innovation and strategic solutions.

We provide expert technical support to landowners, developers, planning and property consultants.

We deploy world-leading 3D Laser Scanning and Aerial Drone technology to capture the proposed development zone. Focus is placed on the geometry of existing structures including the location and size of apertures, windows and doors.

Surveybase technicians use the digital survey data to construct precision 3D models of the surveyed landscape. Our models are built using state of the art Revit software where we position the project to world coordinates; a vital feature when measuring light provision.

The final stage of modelling introduces the proposed development to the as built environment. This is the point at which a Rights To Light assessment can begin.

We use the 3D model to simulate the passage of sunlight across the as built environment. We are able to assess the impact the proposed development may have on the natural light available to neighbouring properties, throughout the year at any specified time.

Our consultative service completes with the presentation of our report and recommendations. We use scientific data to explain the impact of the proposed development may have on the Rights To Light of surrounding property and recommend any corrective measures or compensation that may be required to comply with legal regulations.

Our reports help investors and developers across the UK, they provide the critical data needed to make strategic design and planning decisions.

Depending on the scale of development, the cost of re-submitting planning applications can be extensive. For that reason alone planning refusal based on Rights To Light must and can be avoided.

The majority of our appointments arise at the early stage of design. This proactive service is purposed for investors, developers, their architects and design consultants. Our Rights Of Light models allow the assessment of various building concepts showing the likely impact of the development in advance of the detailed design and planning phase.