Category Archives: Daylight

Adequate Daylight Report – Teddington (TW11)

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lluminating Success: Navigating the New Daylight Standards (BRE 209: 2022) ☀️🏠

When it comes to property development, natural light is more than just a “nice-to-have”—it is more often than not a critical requirement for planning approval. At Southwest Environmental Limited, we’ve been providing expert lighting reports for over 10 years, helping developers turn dark spaces into compliant, sun-drenched homes. 🏗️✨

⏱️ Fast Results for Busy Developers

We know that planning deadlines wait for no one. That’s why we offer a guaranteed turnaround of less than one week for our desktop studies and computer-modeled assessments. 🏎️💨

🔍 What’s Changed? The Shift to BRE 209: 2022

If you’ve been in the industry for a while, you likely remember ADF (Average Daylight Factor). While a very few councils still accept it, the industry has shifted toward the more rigorous BRE 209: 2022 standards. 📚💻

Instead of simple ratios, we now use 3D computer modeling to plot “Lux contours” on floor plans. This provides a much more accurate picture of how light actually behaves in a room throughout the year. . .  it is also the only method planning authority will accept.

The target values we look for (per BS EN 17037) include:

  • Bedrooms: 100 Lux 🛏️
  • Living Rooms: 150 Lux 🛋️
  • Kitchens: 200 Lux 🍳

📍 Case Study: Stanley Road, Teddington

We recently assisted a developer with a ground-floor apartment conversion in Teddington. The planning authority required proof that the main living space would receive adequate daylight. 🏙️📍

By creating a detailed digital twin of the apartment—accounting for window sizes and lightwell locations—we were able to prove the site exceeded the minimum requirements.

By identifying these levels early, the developer was able to move forward with confidence, knowing their design met the UK National Annex recommendations for internal daylight. 🏆🙌

🧱 Why Partner With Us?

  • Expertise: Over a decade of experience navigating UK planning authorities. 🏛️
  • Precision: We use industry-leading 3D modeling to ensure your results are accurate and “bulletproof” for planning committees. 🎯
  • Speed: Get your report back in under a week. ⏳

Need to clear a lighting condition for your next project? Don’t stay in the dark! 🌟🤝

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Daylight and Sunligt Assessment – London – N4

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We have recently been commissioned to undertake a sunlight and daylight assessment in North London (N4).

 

The project is relatively small involving a roof extension.

 

We have been provided with plan for the proposal, as well as detailed elevations, and we will prepare a before and after comparison of sunlighting and daylighting conditions.

 

The BRE209 guide suggests that  20% reduction in lighting levels is acceptable, most projects fall within the 20% allowance.

 

If you are looking for an environmental consultant in London to undertake a Sunlight and Daylight Assessment then please call or email Southwest Environmental limited we would be very happy to assist and we can also provide design advice.

 

 

 

Daylighting Study – Lambeth – London

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Daylighting Study – Lambeth – London 

Acting on instructions from a much valued repeat client, Southwest Environmental Limited have conducted a Sunlight and Daylight Study in Lambeth, London.  

The scope of the study includes for ADF value calculation and a Sun-on-the-Ground calculation, these are explained further below:
ADF- This is used to estimate the level of lighting inside the development prior to construction. In its most basic form it is a measure of window size to room size. i.e. is the window big enough for the room. Other factors also go in to the calculation such as quality of the glass, and whether daylight can reach the window i.e. is the window darkened by near by tall buildings. 
Sun-on-the-Ground – A shady cold cool garden can be nice in the summer, but in spring and autumn it can be gloomy. We can work out whether an outdoor area you have proposed will be bright or gloomy. We do this using the BR209 method, which is verging on witchcraft. 
Very happy to talk about any of the above so please ring for a discussion about it. 
 

Daylight Assessment for Basement Flat – Haringey

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Daylight Assessment for Basement Flat – Haringey

SWEL were approached by a property company in Haringey, London, to undertake an assessment of daylighting in an existing basement flat, with a view to making improvements to to increase daylighting.

A recommended level (ADF) of 1.5% is given for living areas, and the calculated ADF for the living area was around 0.25%.

The existing basement had an open sky angle of around 19 degrees, and an obstruction angle of 50 degrees. A report was published to suggest improvements that saw calculated ADF raised to 1.6%.

Sunlight and Daylight Assessment