The new London Plan is proposing a drastic reduction in daylight to existing residents properties
Removing London’s right to light
The London Plan will set out a framework for how London will develop over the next 20-25 years and the Mayor’s vision for Good Growth. The Plan will inform decisions on planning applications across the capital.
The original plan proposed cutting the daylight standard in London by half, with up to 22 hours a day of shadow – resulting in levels of gloom that will be unacceptable and harmful to the health of existing communities and properties.
The guidance for sun and daylight will be applicable not only in our homes, but also for green spaces, gardens and parks.
London Assembley member Sian Berry tabled, explained, and secured approval for a motion that called on the London Mayor to amend this draft guidance to protect London’s right to light.
But that is not the end – There is still a real risk that the efforts made to improving the guidelines are sidelined.
We need your help!
We need everyone to write to your London Assembly Member, Marine Ahmed for Lambeth and Southwark, to make sure that the motion that was passed leads to a real change in the London Plan. A template email can be found below.
An article in the Observer which demonstrated the impact on one family’s life can be found HERE
There is an online petition which can be found HERE calling for a change to planning policy to commit to giving London’s parks, playgrounds and green spaces for wildlife six hours of sunlight on 21st March of each year.
Template email
To: marina.ahmad@london.gov.uk
Re: London Mayor’s proposed sun and daylight targets in the draft ‘Good Quality Homes for all Londoners‘ (consulted October 2020)
Dear London Assembly Member Marina Ahmad (for Lambeth and Southwark),
I wish to add my voice calling for the London Mayor to amend his proposed targets in the draft ‘Good Quality Homes for all Londoners‘ consultation draft with regards to section C5.3 ‘Daylight, sunlight and overshadowing’ , which will allow developers to reduce the daylight benchmark on existing properties from 27% to 13% Vertical Skylight Component (VSC), and will be an unacceptable harm to the health and wellbeing of existing communities. The guidance for sun and daylight will be applicable not only in our homes, but also for green spaces, gardens and parks.
My Own Experience
I am resident at…. [Please add your own experience and concerns on this matter]
London Assembly Member Sian Berry’s Motion
On 10 June 2021 at the London Assembly plenary meeting, Sian Berry the leader of the Green Party had a motion approved challenging the London Mayor on his proposed targets for sun and daylight in our parks and in our homes. You can find more details here and in summary it called for:
The London Mayor to amends his London Plan draft supplementary guidance to include a requirement that London’s green spaces receive six hours of daylight on the two equinoxes each year and to retain the BRE guidance on daylight levels (Vertical Sky Component) at 27 per cent.”
Whilst the motion was passed, the Labour Group abstained from supporting the motion and explained that the reason was that they wish for it to referred to a committee. However, the explanation offered by an assembly member for the Labour Group abstaining on the motion we believe does not accurately reflect how the proposed guidelines will in actual fact cut daylight standards for existing resident’s homes.
Please support Sian Berry’s motion to ensure that the London Mayors amends his London Plan draft supplementary guidance to include a requirement that London’s green spaces receive six hours of daylight on the two equinoxes each year and to retain the BRE guidance on daylight levels (Vertical Sky Component) at 27 per cent.”
Thank you in advance for your kind consideration of this matter.
Yours sincerely
[Your Name]
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