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Who We Are

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ULS are independent specialists in Daylight, Sunlight and Rights to Light; helping developers, architects, and planning consultants manage light-related risks and unlock site potential.

With over 100 years of combined industry experience, we provide clear expert technical advice that bridges town planning, design, and legal considerations, ensuring projects are both compliant and commercially viable.

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Our Heritage

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Our practice is built on a unique and distinguished heritage within the Rights of Light and Daylight Surveying profession — one that connects us directly to the individuals and firms that defined the standards of excellence in our field.

 

Our roots trace back to Michael Brooks Associates, latterly Schatunowski Brooks, which was founded by Alex Schatunowski and Michael Brooks and whose pioneering work set the benchmark for precision, integrity, and technical rigour in Rights of Light surveying. 

 

That lineage continues through Drivers Jonas, latterly Deloitte Real Estate, where Elizabeth de Burgh Sidley’s leadership advanced the profession through her meticulous analytical approach and commitment to quality — values that continue to shape our practice today.

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Our Leadership

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Among our directors, Ian Absolon stands as one of the industry’s foremost authorities, with over 40 years of experience including acting as expert witness in the landmark Bankside High Court trial.

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Having worked closely with Alex Schatunowski, Ian has played a defining role in shaping the profession as it exists today. His depth of expertise, strategic judgment, and guidance continue to influence both our team and the wider industry.

 

Adrian Coe, with 31 years of experience, represents the firm’s technical core. Having worked under both Alex Schatunowski and Ian Absolon and alongside Dr Malcolm Mc Pherson, Adrian has led the way in advancing the analytical and technological aspects of Rights of Light surveying — ensuring ULS remains at the forefront of precision and innovation.

 

Gregory Francis brings over 20 years of experience to this area of practice, having graduated from both architecture and business schools. Having trained under Elizabeth de Burgh Sidley, Lance Harris, and Ian Absolon, Gregory bridges architecture, commercial strategy, and technical expertise — aligning creative design vision with the complex realities of rights, daylight, and development.

 

Our senior team also includes Ian Greves, whose long and distinguished architectural career has seen him advise many high-profile clients on complex projects across many sectors. His deep understanding of design, building form and commerciality brings a unique dimension to our advice and leadership.

 

Our Approach

 

Grounded in our heritage, driven by innovation, this collective experience defines who we are.

 

While our foundations lie in the work of the pioneers who built our profession, our focus is firmly on the future.

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We embrace modern technologies, evolving design thinking, and contemporary methods to deliver clarity, precision, and value for our clients.

 

At ULS, we unite the wisdom of our past with the innovation of the present — shaping the built environment of tomorrow.

 

Our Value

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​Natural light is more than a design feature — it’s a key driver of planning success, sustainability performance, and asset value.

ULS helps clients:

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• Secure planning approvals by mitigating daylight and sunlight impacts.

• Protect development value by managing Rights to Light risk.

• Deliver sustainability through efficient daylight design that supports BREEAM, WELL, and LEED standards.

• Enhance marketability, reduce energy demand and improve occupant wellbeing through better natural illumination.

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How We Do It

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• Daylight & Sunlight Assessments – Town Planning application support and design optimisation.

• Rights to Light Consultancy – Legal risk identification, management, negotiation, and expert witness support.

• Daylight Feasibility Studies – Early-stage testing to guide site layout and massing.

• Overshadowing & Glare Analysis – Managing comfort, compliance, and visual quality.

• Sustainability Integration – Advice aligned with BREEAM, WELL, and net-zero design objectives.

 

Our Approach

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At ULS, we combine technical precision with strategic insight, helping our clients make informed design and investment decisions.

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Why Clients Choose ULS

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✅ Proven success in securing complex planning consents
✅ Trusted by leading developers and design teams
✅ Expertise across both planning and legal light issues
✅ Sustainable, data-led solutions aligned with modern building standards​​​​​​