Battersea Power Station and the Nine Elms tall building cluster dominate the northern fringe of Wandsworth, with Victorian terraces filling Wandsworth Town, Tooting, and Balham, mansion blocks through Putney and Clapham Junction, and redevelopment along the Wandsworth Thames riverside. Almost all the older stock carries windows that have received natural light for well over the 20 years required to acquire the easement under the Prescription Act 1832, which means tall building schemes, mid-rise residential redevelopment, and significant infill all routinely raise rights of light questions. London Borough of Wandsworth planning consent does not address that legal position.
We act on Wandsworth schemes from the London head office, with reach across Battersea, Putney, Tooting, and Balham, supported by colleagues in Essex and Hampshire. CHP is RICS regulated and has been advising on rights of light since 2004. The London team handles this work with specialist focus, and where the work overlaps with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 we run party wall services from the same point of contact.
Using specialist software, we can establish whether a proposed scheme will cause an infringement of the neighbouring properties’ rights of light.
By applying our knowledge on this matter, we are able to provide clear guidance on the best course of action, should an infringement occur.
The surveyor's first job on a Wandsworth project is the initial appraisal, identifying which neighbouring windows are likely to carry an acquired right and where the proposed massing creates the most risk. Specialist rights of light software then models the existing and proposed light levels, with results tested against the Equivalent First Zone and the 50/50 rule to quantify any loss. Where modelling shows likely infringement, the cutback analysis works through design variations until the scheme sits within acceptable parameters.
For Wandsworth schemes that often means Battersea Power Station-area tall building projects, Nine Elms mid-rise residential blocks, Putney riverside redevelopment, and significant infill on Victorian streets. Most projects also call for daylight and sunlight reports on the same London Borough of Wandsworth planning submission, and we run both pieces of work from the same team. Calls go through to a qualified surveyor rather than a call centre.
I have employed CHP Surveyors on numerous rights of light and party wall matters over the last 10+ years. James, personally deals with all matters, whether big or small, providing comfort that my projects are highly valued and is personally dealt with by their director. James and his team have always worked well and professionally with our client side and contractor side teams, to conclude all matters in a expediate manner on our developments. I would thoroughly recommend CHP Surveyors as a Party Wall and Rights of Light Surveyor.
- Peter Whittingham, Akelius
In most cases, yes. The path forward is usually a negotiated settlement with the adjoining owner, paid in exchange for a release of their legal right to light against the new building. Damages are typically calculated by reference to the share of the development profit attributable to the part of the scheme causing the infringement, and the figure is significantly easier to predict when the rights of light position has been quantified at the design stage. Injunctions are rare where matters are handled properly and early.
Planning consent from the London Borough of Wandsworth does not resolve the rights of light position, so the legal track has to run alongside the planning track on every Wandsworth scheme that sits close to existing windows. A free initial assessment is the fastest way to put a number on the risk.
Get in touch.
Head Office
2-6 Boundary Row
London, SE1 8HP
Essex Office
2-6 Boundary Row
London, SE1 8HP
020 3714 4090
Get in touch.
Head Office
2-6 Boundary Row
London, SE1 8HP
Essex Office
2nd Floor, 10 High Street
Wickford, Essex
SS12 9AZ
020 3714 4090
enquiries@chpsurveyors.com
