Light pollution

Artificial light is used for a multitude of purposes. However, it is often the case that poorly designed, directed or maintained lighting can have undesirable effects through being too bright, badly aimed or switched on for too long and at inappropriate times.

What is light pollution?

Excessive light in urban areas can lead to something called 'sky glow' which wastes energy, disturbs the natural cycles of wild animals and birds and disrupts astronomers' view of the stars.

What is light nuisance?

In localised cases, excessive and poorly installed and maintained lighting can cause a nuisance to neighbouring occupiers.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 introduced artificial light as a new category of statutory nuisance defined as light that is"...emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance."

A light nuisance is likely to exist where a source of artificial light significantly and unreasonably interferes with a person's use and enjoyment of their property or is prejudicial to their health. This means that it must be more than an annoyance or simply awareness of the light source.

A number of factors need to be considered in determining whether an artificial light source is causing a statutory nuisance:

• The time of day/night
• The location e.g. urban/rural
• The brightness and duration of the light source
• The nature or purpose of the light
• The level of light pollution and the area affected
• The effect on the person/people affected.

The Act enables Councils to investigate and deal with artificial light nuisances which meet the above criteria, using their existing powers set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

This DOES NOT INCLUDE artificial light from all sources

Light nuisances can be caused by a variety of artificial light sources, including:

• Domestic and commercial security lights
• Domestic decorative lighting
• Commercial lighting of buildings for aesthetic purposes.

Find out more by downloading our Light Pollution and Light Nuisance Leaflet.