Ep. 85 Unlocking Development: Rights of Light & Future-Proofing with Barney Soanes-Cundle

Send a textHow can the construction industry balance legal risk, sustainability, and innovation while designing buildings for people?In this Thrive in Construction Podcast episode, Darren Evans speaks with Barney Soanes-Cundle, Senior Associate at Hollis, to explore how rights of light, ESG, and technological change are reshaping modern development. With nearly 10 years’ experience in Neighborly Matters and a passion for creating better, future-proof buildings, Barney breaks down complex legal frameworks, explains why early engagement is crucial, and shares how to align traditional practices with today’s sustainability demands.Key Highlights:- From Interior Design to Rights of Light: How a non-traditional path led Barney to become a specialist in neighborly matters, daylight, and rights of light.- Why Rights of Light Still Matters: The legal risks developers can’t ignore—and how early planning avoids costly delays.- Old Laws vs. Modern Needs: Why 100-year-old light standards no longer reflect today’s reality and how the industry can evolve.- Sustainability & ESG in Practice: Why ESG must move from a bolt-on to an integrated mindset in construction.- Innovation & People-First Design: Using technology, data, and European-inspired urban design to create resilient, enjoyable buildings.Packed with practical advice, forward-thinking strategies, and real-world examples, this episode is for developers, architects, consultants, and anyone who wants to shape the future of the built environment.If you want to see our other insightful podcasts, click here:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOHI_yaqB2U8KWbsfJDPCoYEfOh-TTnipFind us on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dDkxLWZ25nT0krYWaTiITApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thrive-in-construction-with-darren-evans/id1726973152YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTrzqei7gttB8WB5wM6hUpwLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/thrive-in-construction-podcast/Our Website: https://darren-evans.co.uk/Links:Barney's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barney-soanes-cundle/Hollis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hollis-global/Hollis Website: https://www.hollisglobal.com/#RightsOfLight #DaylightDesign #ConstructionPodcast #ESGInConstruction #BuiltEnvironment #SustainableDevelopment #NeighborlyMatters #ThriveInConstruction #ConstructionInnovationSupport the show