Right to Light
GIA Surveyors (GIA) has worked on a range of iconic and prestigious developments including Battersea Power Station, the London Shard and the American Embassy in the UK, alongside leading architects, planning consultants, legal experts and developers.
‘Demand’ Now, the firm is seeking to meet ‘the growing and immediate demand for experienced Daylight/ Sunlight and Rights of Light consultants in Ireland following the relaxing of building heights, as well as increased density and other forms of intensive development that are currently being undertaken’. Newly opened in the Capital, the company plans to grow its Dublin-based team across 2021/2022. ‘Good urban design is essential in supporting the economic, social, cultural, and sustainability goals of Ireland’s cities and is integral to ensuring that Dublin maintains its competitive edge as a place to live, work and play,’ says Kevin Francis, managing partner, GIA Ireland. ‘However, Rights of Light disputes are growing more common in larger cities. While Ireland has begun to slowly break the cycle of low-density buildings in Dublin, Cork, and other areas, Rights of Light is now becoming an important consideration for developers and other key stakeholders. ‘A lack of readily available and often contradictory information has seen Rights of Light consulting only being called upon when an issue arises.
Putting light on the subject
G
IA Surveyors (GIA), a specialist multi-disciplinary surveying and design consultancy recently announced the launch of its new Dublin office. Over the past twentyfive years the company has amassed significant experience in the area of Daylight/Sunlight and Rights of Light. Kevin Francis, managing partner with GIA Ireland, spoke with Construction Management Ireland.
Costly ‘This can prove to be costly for developers, funders, and end-users, and can lead to delays, expensive legal
costs and in the worst-casescenarios, a cease to the build.’
2 0 | Construction Management | Summer 2021
So, let’s go back to basics with the Right to Light; is it something we all have as individuals?
ABOVE: Kevin Francis
‘It is not an automatic right in Ireland,’ says Kevin, ‘but in simple terms a right to light is an easement. ‘It is a property right – a right which exists in favour of a property. And obviously the owners of the property will, by extension, benefit from that right. ‘A right to light is a
