Rights to lights extension in Guildford.

An architecture extension designed to mitigate rights to light to neighbouring properties in Guildford Surrey. Creating a function follows form extension.

Out the box thinking to extend the home whilst mitigating rights to lights concerns.

This architecture design for a rights to lights extension in Guildford Surrey, has been cleverly designed to accommodate the neighbouring properties existing easement and rights to light. These new build properties have maximised the site, but fingerprintstudios architects client was keen to increase the living area due to two growing children the additional space was required to allow the children to play. The solution for this extension was to create a diamond shaped glass extension that maintained the 45 degree rule both in plan and elevation.

What are Rights to lights?

What are rights to lights? Right to light is a form of easement in English law that gives a long-standing owner of a building with windows a right to maintain the level of illumination within the existing building. It is based on historic Lights law and have taken influence from the Prescription Act of 1832.

Rights to light normally become’s a concern when a new development, or proposed development affects the access to light of an adjoining property. Rights to light also apply to obstructions caused by trees, hedges and so on. Rights to light concerns itself with reduction of light within the interior of the property but there are no rights to light for open ground.

The level of light to be maintained has not been defined in case law but it is generally agreed that maintaining view to the sky of 45 degrees and 45 degrees clear in plan from the centre of the existing windows or doors that may be affected by the proposed development will be acceptable. This is often referred to as the 45 degree rule.

Rights to light can be a “dark art” employing fingerprintstudios architects for professional advice can assist you in obtaining your planning application.