Let there be light for dwellings.

From 1 August 2020, there will be changes to several of the current "prior approval" procedures for the creation of dwellings. The driving force behind these is to ensure that “provision of adequate natural light to all habitable rooms” is considered by Local Authorities. If the requirements are not met then the guidance is that the the Local Authorities should refuse proposals.

Currently provision of natural light through design is considered through full planning applications for new dwellings, but not so for "prior approval" schemes.

As part of this, applications will now require sufficient supporting information to be provided to allow the Local Authority to make this determination.