An integral part of the planning process, daylight and sunlight assessments can be carried out on all scales of development from small residential extensions to large urban regeneration projects.

We advise on daylight and sunlight issues relating to the planning process from initial feasibility studies through to detailed reports in support of planning applications. The guidance used by Planning Authorities to assess daylight and sunlight issues is provided by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the document ‘Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight: A guide to good practice’.

Using our experience and extensive knowledge we can tailor our assessments to inform a design for planning requirements, which can benefit any scheme.

Some examples of this are as follows:

•    Sunlighting assessment to show compliance with the recent Mayor of           Londons’ ‘Housing Design Guide’
•    Internal daylight assessments to show compliance with the Code for Sustainable Homes
•    Window sizing calculations to ensure complinace with British Standard BS8206 interior daylighting standards

Daylight and Sunlight Services:

The following documents provide a useful basis for understanding daylight and sunlight issues:

• BRE Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight. A Guide to Good Practice (BR209)
• BS 8206 Part ii (2008)
• CIBSE LIGHTING GUIDE 10:Daylighting and window design
• BS EN 12464-1 Light and lighting — Lighting of work places — Part 1: Indoor work places
• CIBSE Code for Lighting
• BRE CP75/75 Availability of Sunshine
• IESNA Recommended Practice of Daylighting
• BRE Solar Shading of Buildings
• CIBSE Lighting Guide 2: Hospitals and Health Care Buildings