PROBLEMS WITH LIGHT?
All living things adjust their behaviour according to natural
light. The use of artificial light has done much to safeguard
and enhance our night-time environment, but if not properly
installed, it can become obtrusive and cause annoyance.
LEGISLATION
The Environmental Protection section of Braintree District
Council can investigate Light Pollution and assess whether the
light is a nuisance under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment
Act 2005. The Act extends the nuisance provisions of the
Environmental Protection Act 1990 to cover artificial light emitted
from premises – including domestic and commercial security lights,
some healthy living and sports facilities and domestic decorative
lighting. Some premises are excluded from the
legislation such as artificial light from transport facilities,
freight depots, lighthouses, prisons and defence premises.
Civil action can also be taken by an individual to tackle a
lighting problem. He/she would have to be able to prove that
a nuisance existed.
Light nuisance can be substantially reduced without detriment to
the purpose for which it was intended as long as consideration is
given to neighbouring properties when the installation is
undertaken.
This leaflet has been designed to offer advice to those who wish
to install lighting as well as those who feel they may be
being subjected to a nuisance caused by light.
DOMESTIC SECURITY LIGHTING
Domestic security lighting is the source of most annoyance with
light spilling beyond the boundary of the property on which the
source is located into neighbouring areas.
Passive infra-red detectors should be installed and aligned so
as to only operate the light by movement within the target
area.
A 150w tungsten halogen lamp is more than adequate for security
purposes, larger lamps, such as 300/500w, create too much light,
more glare and darker shadows.
All-night lighting at low brightness is equally
acceptable. For a porch light a 9w compact fluorescent lamp
is more than adequate in most locations.
GENERAL LIGHTING
Wherever possible light should be directed downwards to
illuminate it’s target, not upwards. If
there is no alternative to up-lighting, then the
use of shields and baffles will help reduce light spill to a
minimum.
To keep glare to a minimum ensure that the main beam angle of
all lights directed towards any potential observer is kept below
70°. It should be noted that the higher the light can be
mounted then the lower the angle of the main beam.
Use specifically designed lighting equipment that once installed
minimises the spread of light near to or above the horizontal.
Do not ‘over’ light. It is a cause of annoyance and also a
complete waste of money, not only of electricity, but more
importantly the earth’s finite energy resources which, in many
cases, results in unnecessary emissions of greenhouse gases, which
should be kept to a minimum.
RESOLVING LIGHT PROBLEMS
Rather than resort to the law, you may wish to try the
following:
Discuss and resolve the matter directly with the person
responsible for the light. (How would you feel if the situation was
reversed?) If you need to overcome such a problem you can contact
SEAMS, the Mediation Service, to assist. They will arrange
for a trained mediator to visit you and the owner of the light
source and help you work out a solution, which is agreeable to both
of you.
Call SEAMS on 01376 331511 for further information.
If the above routes prove unsuccessful or to discuss further,
please contact:
Environmental Protection Team,
Environmental Services,
Braintree District Council,
Causeway House,
Bocking End,
Braintree,
Essex. CM7 9HB
Tel: 01376 551414 Ext. 2223