Daylight & Sunlight Assessments for Developers

Daylight and sunlight reports led by a former London developer, built to help your scheme through planning.

Modern brick apartment building with trees and landscaping

From one developer to another

We’ve been in your shoes, and we’re on your side.

Nick spent 25 years as a property developer, mostly in London, before founding Sunlight Assessments UK. He knows what a scheme means to you, and he knows how to help it through planning.

In the last six months, the vast majority of schemes we assessed went ahead without significant redesign. Where a scheme doesn’t meet every BRE target, we don’t just report the numbers. We build the planning case for it:

  • Urban context. In London, the London Plan (Policy D6) and GLA housing guidance expect BRE targets to be applied flexibly on dense urban sites. We show how your scheme compares with what’s normal for its setting.
  • 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 your application.
  • Practical options. If a small design change would make a real difference, we’ll tell you early, before it costs you.

The result is clear, independent evidence that helps the planning officer say yes.

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 DEVELOPERS CHOOSE US

Technical expertise, commercial focus.

— Led by a former London property developer

— Over 400 reports completed across the UK

— Fast turnaround, typically 4-5 working days

— Fixed fee agreed before you commit

— Practical advice that protects unit numbers and viability
New residential tower and arched ground-floor commercial units on a tree-lined street
New townhouse development along a landscaped residential street
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 DEVELOPERS

Added value at every stage.

Reduce planning risk

Increase unit numbers

Protect project viability

How is my scheme priced?

Every report is a fixed fee, agreed before you commit, based on the number of units and neighbouring properties. Use the instant calculator for a quick estimate, or send us your plans for a confirmed fixed-fee quote.

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 is the target compliance rate for scheme performance?

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While there is no fixed pass mark, schemes are generally expected to achieve a high level of compliance. A small number of non-compliant rooms is often acceptable, particularly on constrained urban sites, provided the majority of habitable rooms meet the recommended daylight and sunlight targets.

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Should surrounding schemes be included to show cumulative effects?

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Yes, where relevant. Existing buildings and approved developments in the surrounding area can have a significant influence on daylight and sunlight levels and should be considered to ensure the assessment reflects the likely built environment at the time the scheme is completed.

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Can you assess multiple design options to help us choose the best scheme?

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Yes, we can test several massing or layout options in parallel so you can compare their daylight and sunlight performance alongside other design and commercial factors before committing to a final scheme.

How are daylight and sunlight assessments priced for developments?

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Every report is a fixed fee, agreed before you commit. Development fees depend on the number of units and neighbouring properties that need testing, and whether you need a neighbour impact report, an internal (scheme performance) report, or both.

Use the instant calculator for a quick estimate, or send us your plans for a confirmed fixed-fee quote.

Ready to take your scheme to planning?

Send us your drawings and we'll show you where your scheme stands and how to strengthen the case, with a fixed fee before you commit.