Isle of Wight Council oversees planning across Newport, Ryde, Cowes, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, and the wider rural island, with a casemix shaped by tourism stock, coastal residential, and conservation-area work in the historic centres. Daylight and sunlight assessments come up regularly on infill, replacement housing, mid-rise coastal residential, and the conversion of older hotel or tourism buildings. Heritage and coastal context both shape the planning conversation on most schemes that come forward to the council.
Our team prepares these reports under RICS regulation from our Hampshire office, which covers the Isle of Wight as a natural extension of the Hampshire service area. BRE 209 (2022) is the working reference, and the practice has been delivering daylight and sunlight reports across the South Coast since 2004. Site attendance to the island is coordinated around the ferry timetables, with most schemes still hitting the standard 2 to 3 week turnaround.
Using the knowledge we have gained throughout our involvement in projects of differing size and complexities, we are able to apply the criteria within the BRE guidelines and produce comprehensive reports to accompany a planning application.
When assessing daylight and sunlight, we work with a professional team to try and achieve the best outcome for a site, whilst respecting the neighbouring properties’ access to daylight and sunlight. We will also provide advice on how the design of potential residential accommodation can ensure access to good levels of daylight and sunlight.
The work covers the proposed scheme drawings, an initial site appraisal, and a 3D model of the development and the affected neighbouring properties. The BRE 209 analysis then runs Vertical Sky Component for daylight, Annual Probable Sunlight Hours for sunlight, and No Sky Line where room geometry matters to the result for the proposed scheme.
Overshadowing analysis on ground-level amenity tests the 21 March sun position recommended in the guidance. Sunpath studies cover seasonal access where these add useful evidence, particularly on the south-facing coastal plots where orientation drives much of the result. Trees within the impact zone are factored in where they materially affect the outcome.
A typical turnaround is 2 to 3 weeks from instruction. Calls are answered by a qualified surveyor, and a free initial assessment sets out scope before any fee is committed. This is a bespoke surveying service shaped to each scheme.
I have worked with CHP for a number of years, obtaining advice from them with regard to daylight and sunlight. They provide exactly what our clients require and work closely with us to resolve any issues, should they arise.
- Andrew Ryley , DLBP
Falling short of BRE 209 reference values does not block consent on its own. The figures are guidance and need to be read against the local context. Isle of Wight Council will look at existing density, the orientation of neighbouring properties, and whether the design has done what it reasonably can to protect light access on what are often constrained coastal or conservation-area plots where existing form is tight and small changes in massing matter to the result.
A well-argued report sets out the shortfall, explains the cause, and shows the design steps taken to mitigate it. Reports are turned around in 2 to 3 weeks. The free initial assessment is the way in for borderline cases or for early advice on scope before the planning programme commits.
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
