Let Century Associates be your trusted
Right to Light Surveyor

Century Associates can quickly provide an initial appraisal of a prospective development site and, if appropriate, a proposed scheme to provide a steer as to the potential Daylight, Sunlight and Rights of light considerations that may affect it. This can be critical to the success and viability of a development owing to the significant implications that Daylight, Sunlight and Rights of Light matters can have. It is important to understand the extent of any such risks at a very early stage in the development process.

Century Associates undertakes detailed 3D computer modelling using either brick counting and photogrammetry (generally suitable for Daylight and Sunlight assessments for planning), or using our Rights of Light measured survey service. Utilising measured survey data is the most accurate form of 3D context model creation and, as such, it is the preferable method when Rights of Light assessments are required. Century Associates can provide a highly accurate laser scan survey of a development site and its surrounding context. The resulting point cloud is then available to be utilised to update the 3D model of the site and surrounding context ready for the necessary light assessments.

Utilising our 3D context model created using brick counting and photogrammetry or, ideally, measured survey data, Century Associates provides an outline massing envelope that can be utilised as a starting point for architects and the wider client team to design a scheme for a development site.

Unlike the legal matter of Rights of Light, Daylight and Sunlight is a requirement for planning. From the early stages of a development project, Century Associates provides initial guidance and advises on the extent of Daylight and Sunlight assessment that will be required for the planning process. We also provide detailed Daylight and Sunlight analysis and reports to accompany planning applications for the developments we are involved in.

Often mistakenly overlooked, Rights of Light is a critical factor in the development process and can present one of its biggest constraints. When adjoining owners enjoy legal rights to the light to their property and that light may be affected by a forthcoming development, developers must be sure to establish an appropriate solution. With experience in Rights of Light mitigation strategies small and large, Century Associates leads the way for developer clients and the wider client team in facilitating construction of a development through tailoring an appropriate solution.

Century Associates is highly experienced in acting on behalf of developers to implement their tailored strategy to deal with Rights of Light risks affecting their development. This includes an appropriate combination of negotiating with adjoining owners, facilitating an appropriate level of indemnity cover and, where appropriate, serving Light Obstruction Notices to prevent the acquisition of Rights of Light over the development site.

Century Associates prides itself in offering a Rights of Light service that gives our clients upmost confidence in the Rights of Light process by keeping them fully informed of our progress at all times. Our personable and honest approach to our working relationship with clients enables us to build trust and solid foundations with our clients over what can be a lengthy and potentially unsettling period. It is this same approach that gives developers who are looking to mitigate Rights of Light risks confidence in Century Associates’ abilities to reach the desired conclusion to negotiations with their neighbours.

Using our experience of working in-house for developers who require specialised management of their Daylight, Sunlight and Rights of light strategies, we work on a consultancy basis to see a development through to completing negotiations with neighbours via your consultants, including carrying out the internal processes for appointing third parties, providing undertakings, transferring funds and securing appropriate signatures.

Passionate about working with property owners whose legal Rights of Light may be infringed by a neighbouring development, Century Associates is perfectly placed to offer these owners the time and commitment they require in order for their concerns to be heard and to have their needs met by;

1 / Liaising closely with our client whose light may be affected by a neighbouring development to understand the specific circumstances

2 / Providing initial advice about the subject of Daylight, Sunlight and Rights of Light and the potential impact to our client’s property

3 / Supporting our client to challenge a planning application on Daylight and Sunlight grounds if appropriate

4 / Approaching the developer or their advisors in connection with Rights of Light on behalf of our client

5 / Working with our client to reach a conclusion to the matter that is satisfactory to them through liaison with the developer’s Rights of Light advisors

6 / Providing support to our clients by phone and email at all times to ensure that they feel reassured whilst moving through the process