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Light Pollution is the intrusion of over bright or poorly directed lights onto neighbouring properties. Find out how to prevent and report instances of light pollution.
Light Pollution is the intrusion of over bright or poorly directed lights onto neighbouring properties e.g., a neighbour’s domestic security light spilling into a bedroom and preventing sleep. In law this is seen as unreasonable and a nuisance. It is also unreasonable to expect the complainant to use a black out blind or curtains to resolve the problem.
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, as amended by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, some types of light pollution can now be designated a statutory nuisance if proved to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance.
Premises used for transport purposes, or those where high levels of light are required for safety and security reasons, are excluded from the act. These include airports, harbours, railway and bus stations, goods vehicle depots, public service vehicle operating centres, prisons, lighthouses and defence premises.
To avoid causing light pollution:
Often the person causing the problem is simply unaware. Try approaching them first to explain the situation. In most cases, all that is required is a lower wattage bulb, or the proper placement of fixings, sensors and shielding accessories.
If the direct approach does not work or you are unable to approach your neighbour, consider mediation. An independent third party will talk to both sides to reach an agreement or compromise. Contact your local mediation service, UNITE, on 01642 311633 - other services are available.
If the owner of the lighting is not willing to resolve the problem or compromise, then we can investigate the problem for you. To help us, we’ll need you to keep information on:
This information, along with our officer’s evidence, will be used to judge if the light is in fact a nuisance. If we decide it is a nuisance, we can ask the owner to take action.
Local Authorities have a duty to investigate nuisance complaints to determine if a statutory nuisance exists. When we receive complaints about lighting nuisance, we adopt a balanced and managed approach to investigating them, seeking to resolve most cases informally.
A statutory nuisance is an unreasonable emission of light that significantly affects the way you use and enjoy your property - it is more than annoyance or mere detection of light. In determining a nuisance, other factors will be considered such as the time of the day, location, duration, frequency and effect.
Regardless of our investigation, you may take your own legal action by complaining directly to the Magistrates Court under Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which you can view on the UK legislation website. If the Court is convinced there is a case it will make an order requiring the nuisance to be abated and prohibit its recurrence.
Contact us to report a problem of light pollution.