Independent advice & peer review.

Pre-planning submission review for developers

Before a planning application or a major design decision, an independent technical review can establish whether the available light-related work answers the right questions. We review draft daylight and sunlight studies, modelling inputs, assumptions, supporting drawings and the way conclusions are presented, with particular attention to likely planning scrutiny.

The review can identify missing studies, material inconsistencies, opportunities to improve the technical narrative, or issues better addressed before the final planning submission. It is intended to strengthen project decision making, whether or not Hensey Consulting is the appointed primary technical consultant.

Report review for Local Authorities

We provide independent, unbiased technical reviews to local planning authorities of daylight, sunlight and associated solar reports submitted in support of development proposals. This includes sense-checking the evidence and conclusions prepared by the developer-appointed consultant, rather than repeating their findings without independent scrutiny.

Our review can consider the appropriateness of the methodology, assumptions and modelling, the significance of predicted impacts, the relevance of local and national policy and technical guidance, and whether the reporting fairly identifies limitations or unresolved matters.

The purpose is to give planning officers clear, transparent and proportionate guidance: explaining what the technical information does and does not establish, identifying any points requiring clarification, and helping officers form their own informed planning judgement. Reviews are scoped to safeguard their independence and avoid conflicts of interest.

Rights of Light risk and cost review

We can independently examine a developer’s existing rights of light strategy, technical assessment, proposed mitigation or consultant fee proposal. This can help test whether material neighbouring interests, assumptions, potential financial exposure or practical risk management options have been adequately considered.

Depending on the instruction, we can sense-check an existing report, identify apparent gaps in a proposed scope or tender, and advise what further specialist legal or technical input may be proportionate before a key commitment is made.

General independent advice, RFPs and peer review

An independent advisory role can help clients shape a meaningful Request for Proposal (RFP) and tender brief, with scope, exclusions, dependencies, deliverables and review points reflecting the actual project. We can examine fee quotations and flag assumptions or omissions that could result in unexpected later costs.

We can also peer-review other consultants’ reports and technical work at key RIBA or planning stages, question the significance of red and amber flags and provide second-opinion notes before a decision is taken. The review is proportionate to the information available and does not automatically constitute certification of another consultant’s work.