Risks of changing right to light

Proposed changes to the historic “right to light” law, although designed to encourage new development, could prove to be a giant step backwards in terms of the UK government’s sustainable agenda. Many existing homes would suffer from reduced natural light as a result of adjacent new buildings, which could be detrimental to occupant health as well as the home’s energy efficiency due to a greater reliance on electrical lighting.

Evidence suggests that increased sunlight can contribute to occupant wellbeing and the public has long expressed a preference for sunlight in the home. Early findings from our European wide Model Home 2020 project support this and reveal that an increased level of natural light has had a positive impact on the occupants’ quality of life. Any proposed change to the law needs to properly consider occupant health and wellbeing, otherwise this quick fix solution to the UK’s housing shortage will leave only a damaging legacy.

Paul Hicks, design manager at Velux