Daylight & Sunlight Assessment Norwich

Anstey Horne provides expert Daylight & Sunlight Assessments in Norwich, helping developers, architects, and planning consultants deliver successful schemes that comply with local planning policy and national guidance.

From conservation areas to growth sites on the urban fringe, we understand the unique planning context of Norwich and the surrounding Norfolk region. Our assessments help unlock development opportunities while protecting neighbouring amenity.

What Is a Daylight & Sunlight Assessment?

A Daylight & Sunlight Assessment evaluates how a proposed development affects access to natural light for surrounding buildings, gardens, and open spaces. In Norwich, where developments often involve heritage assets or close-knit residential streets, protecting light levels is essential to gain planning approval.

Assessments are based on guidance from the BRE document Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight – A Guide to Good Practice (BR209, 2022), and are often a requirement of Norwich City Council’s validation checklist.

Why Are Daylight & Sunlight Assessments Needed in Norwich?

Norwich combines historic city centre constraints with ambitious growth targets. Infill schemes, rooftop extensions, and flatted developments in areas like the Golden Triangle or around Anglia Square frequently require careful daylight and sunlight analysis.

A professionally prepared Daylight & Sunlight Assessment Norwich will help:

Demonstrate compliance with BRE Guidelines and BS EN 17037
Support planning applications with technical evidence
Avoid planning objections from neighbours or consultees
Address conservation area concerns
Prevent delays, refusals, or legal challenges

What Does Our Assessment Include?

Each assessment is tailored to your project, and typically includes:

Vertical Sky Component (VSC) – Measures daylight received at neighbouring windows

No Sky Line (NSL) – Reviews internal daylight distribution

Annual Probable Sunlight Hours (APSH) – Quantifies sunlight availability throughout the year

Overshadowing Analysis – Assesses sunlight to private gardens and public open spaces

Solar PV & Renewable Energy Impacts – Identifies loss of solar access where required

We use advanced 3D modelling software to produce highly accurate, policy-compliant analysis and reports suitable for submission to the local planning authority.

When Is an Assessment Required?

A Daylight & Sunlight Assessment is typically requested in Norwich when:

The proposed scheme is close to existing dwellings or sensitive uses
There’s potential to overshadow windows, gardens, or amenity spaces
You're building in a conservation area or near listed buildings
Planning officers raise concerns over scale or massing

We advise early engagement to identify and address these issues before submission.

Why Choose Anstey Horne?

Anstey Horne is a leading UK consultancy specialising in daylight and sunlight. Our team combines national expertise with local insight to support projects across Norwich and Norfolk.

Clients choose us for:

BRE-compliant, BS EN 17037-aligned assessments
Quick turnaround and responsive advice
Support with pre-apps, planning submissions, and appeals
Expert witness and public inquiry experience
Clear, commercial reporting that balances design ambition and compliance

Projects in Norwich and the East of England

We have experience working on schemes across:

Norwich city centre (including Castle Quarter, St Stephen’s, and Duke Street)
Historic districts such as Elm Hill, Cathedral Close, and King Street
Large-scale edge-of-city and suburban developments
Regeneration areas including Anglia Square and East Norwich
Rural and coastal developments across Norfolk and Suffolk

Contact - Daylight & Sunlight Assessment Norwich

For Daylight & Sunlight advice direct from one of our Norwich surveyors, please call our Enquiry line in 01603 577 362. For more information on this service see the collection of articles on our blog page.

We cover all urban areas in East Anglia. We have live Daylight & Sunlight assessment projects in Norwich, Cambridge, Peterborough, Ipswich & King's Lynn.

For details of our specialist Daylight & Sunlight surveyors near you see our London, Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton, Manchester & Plymouth office details.