The talk will address the two main elements that designers should consider in relation to natural light. These are (i) daylight and sunlight, which local planning authorities often wish to see assessed to understand the impacts of development on existing buildings, and (ii) rights of light; the private property right that owners of affected buildings can use to influence the volume of adjacent developments or to claim damages if too much light is lost.

The presentation will include the following contents:

Daylight, sunlight and overshadowing

• Regulatory framework - the BRE guide and BS8206
• Existing tests and recent changes
• New considerations
• Appendix F - Setting Alternative Targets
• Appendix H – Trees and Hedges
• Balconies

Rights of light

• Background
• Site surveys
• Sufficiency of light
• Example of contour analysis
• Valuation of damages
• Managing rights of light
• Case study - HXRUK II (CHC) Ltd v Heaney  
• Practical applications - envelopes and 'cut-backs'