Have you considered your Rights to Light?

Right to Light is a subject which many Surveyors, Architects and Developers have only a very basic knowledge and it can be something which is overlooked.

However, if you are a residential or business building owner, you will normally have a legal right to light if you have had uninterrupted light through windows for over 20 years. If there is a new development which would affect any such windows and leave rooms inadequately lit you could be entitled to compensation or even obtain an injunction to stop the offending building works.

The other related (but certainly not mutually exclusive) aspect of light assessments is the right of a Local Authority Planning Department to ask for Daylight and Sunlight Tests as part of an application for Planning Permission. If you are proposing a development, you should make sure that light issues are considered at an early design stage. If you are a neighbour aware of a proposed development which you think might affect light to your property (including garden areas) you should ensure that the Planning Department insist upon the submission of such light assessments from the applicant.

At Smith Marston, we have the expert knowledge and specialist computer software to undertake all types of light assessments and to advise upon all such matter.

Please note that, for this specialist aspect of our work, we cover the entire north of England, including Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield, and the southern parts of Scotland up to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

For more detailed information, visit our website at www.righttolightsurveyors.co.uk or, alternatively, please call Philip or Adrian to discuss any light related concerns on 01434 607802.