Rights of Light

We provide bespoke strategies to deal with one of the largest constraints on new development

The Madison

With offices in London, Manchester, Belfast and Bristol, GIA has the largest Rights of Light department in the UK, and most recently, we have been celebrating expanded presence in Ireland, with the opening of our Dublin office.

For over 25 years, we have specialised in innovative solutions to maximise the development potential of a site, whilst paying regard to the neighbours’ amenity.

Rights of Light can be one of the greatest constraints to developmental potential. We work with architects, developers and key stakeholders to set a clear strategy to deliver our clients’ vision on time and within budget. Our services range from initial site appraisal and feasibility advice through to mitigation, negotiation and resolution of Rights of Light matters.

There are no two sites which are the same. Each development opportunity requires a bespoke strategy which has been predicated on detailed due diligence. This takes the form of appraising the surrounding built environment, understanding any site constraints and providing a Desktop Appraisal. This Appraisal details the massing potential of the site in context of the surrounding environment. Our innovative PlanTech enable this appraisal to be undertaken with immediacy.

A 3D development envelope is produced to illustrate how best to maximise massing potential and will also highlight any pertinent constraints.

GIA undertakes technical analysis using either 3D photogrammetric modeling (high-resolution aerial photography) or a full measured survey (3D laser scanning) to create a base model. Our in-house CAD team will include all windows surrounding a site relevant for assessment. The proposed scheme is then supplied to GIA by your architect and placed within our base model. From this, a detailed Rights to Light technical analysis is undertaken.

If a building that has a right to light is demolished or redeveloped, it does not always abandon its right to light. If the old and new apertures are in a similar position (on plan and elevation) then a transferred right to light is likely. GIA undertakes studies to understand where coincidence occurs to quantify the transfer position.

Depending on the risk adversity of the client, GIA also undertakes scheme cutbacks to ascertain where massing may need to be altered to pay respect to neighbouring daylighting amenity.

Our consultants produce bespoke Rights of Light reports based upon the resultant technical analysis from our assessments. The reports include a comprehensive strategy to mitigate potential risk to the site and advises on how the proposed scheme could be implemented.

GIA work tirelessly on our client’s behalf to negotiate a resolution to Rights to Light issues, to enable the development to progress.

GIA advises on the use of Section 203-206 legislation which relates to overriding easements or covenants (including ROL) which could otherwise affect or prevent a development from being implemented.

A LON prevents the acquisition of rights where no rights currently exist. GIA is experienced in leading this process on behalf of clients and advising owners of properties where the notices have been served.

GIA has a history of working on behalf of our clients through all legal processes to ensure the development is realised.

Utilising specially designed software, we can assess detailed daylight, sunlight and rights of light impacts at the touch of a button. The research and development team provide constant innovation to deliver new service lines as well as furthering existing ones.

CAD integrate workflows with BIM technologies as well as utilising the largest most accurate digital model of London (plus 19 other cities and counting), VU.CITY, which GIA are co-creators of. The team boasts a broad depth of technical experience including architecture, engineering and visualisation. Armed with this wealth of knowledge, we can offer bespoke services.

“GIA has provided invaluable advice throughout the masterplanning and detailed design phases of one our key strategic projects in London. Their ability to combine strategic guidance with detailed analysis and design solutions has enabled us to progress with confidence through the various stages of the project.”

Fergus Evans, Project Director, Grosvenor
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