Daylight & Sunlight Assessments for Architects

Daylight and sunlight reports from an architecturally trained team who understand your drawings, your clients and planning policy.

Brick terraced house with a modern two-storey glazed rear extension

Working alongside architects

We speak your language, and we’re on your client’s side.

Our reports are prepared by an architecturally trained team. Our consultants hold Master’s degrees in Architecture, including RIBA Part 1 and Part 2, and build every 3D model directly from your CAD drawings. We read plans the way you draw them, so there’s no back-and-forth over the basics.

Your clients want to know one thing: will the scheme get through planning? In the last six months, the vast majority of schemes we assessed went ahead without significant redesign. Where a design doesn’t meet every BRE target, we build the planning case for it:

  • Planning policy. We know the BRE guidelines, BS EN 17037, the London Plan and local policies, and we write for the planning officer who will read the report.
  • Local precedent. We check the borough’s planning history for similar schemes that fell short of a target and were still approved, and use them to support the application.
  • Design options. If a small change would make a real difference, we’ll tell you early, in a way that protects your design intent.

The result is a clear, independent report you can share with your client and submit with confidence.

REPORTS WE PROVIDE

All the reports you need, from early stage to planning.

Neighbour Impact Reports

BRE 209 assessments including VSC, NSL, APSH and SOG.

Internal Daylight Reports

BS EN 17037 assessments of SDA and SE for residential and commercial spaces.

Permitted Development Conversions

Internal Daylight and sunlight assessments to support permitted development applications.

Maximum Envelope Testing

How high can you go? We test limits and optimise development potential.

WHY ARCHITECTS CHOOSE US

Technical expertise, design-led focus.

— Architecturally trained team working from your drawings

— Over 400 reports completed across the UK

— Fast turnaround, typically 4-5 working days

— Fixed fee your client can agree before committing

— Practical advice that protects your design intent
Dining room with a large picture window bringing daylight into the extension
Kitchen extension with exposed timber roof and glazed garden doors
OUR TECHNICAL PROCESS

A proven process that delivers.

01  Receive Plans — CAD, PDF and 3D models.

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02  3D Modelling — accurate SketchUp models.

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03  Specialist Analysis — BRE-approved software.

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04  Quality Review — checked by our senior team.

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05  Defensible Report — clear, planning-ready.

BENEFITS FOR ARCHITECTS

Added value at every stage.

Reduce planning risk

Boost planning approval

Protect design integrity

Frequently asked
questions

Everything you need to know before ordering a report.

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Still need help?

Please reach us at info@sunlightassessments.co.uk
if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What design changes can improve daylight and sunlight performance?

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The most effective ways to improve performance are to increase window sizes, reduce room depths, maximise ceiling heights, introduce dual-aspect layouts where possible, and position living spaces closest to windows. Small design changes can often result in significant improvements to daylight and sunlight performance.

What's the difference between BS EN 17037 and BRE 209?

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BS EN 17037 is used to assess daylight and sunlight within new homes and developments, while BRE 209 is mainly used to assess the impact of a proposed development on neighbouring properties. Many projects use both, in line with BRE guidance, to show the planning authority that the scheme is acceptable.

Do all the rooms need to meet the daylight and sunlight standards?

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No. Daylight and sunlight assessments generally apply only to habitable rooms, such as living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms. Bathrooms, hallways, stairwells, utility rooms and storage areas are not normally assessed.

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Got a scheme going to planning?

Send us your drawings and we'll confirm which report your client needs, with a fixed fee before they commit.