Policy CR13
Light pollution
Development must be designed to ensure that there is no impact from light pollution on residential amenity including adjacent occupiers, biodiversity, highway and waterway users. All developments that include proposals for external lighting including illuminated signs and advertisements, security and flood lights and other illuminations to submit details showing that it:
a) is appropriate for the intended use;
b) provides the minimum amount of light necessary to achieve its purpose;
c) is energy efficient; and
d) is directed downwards and minimises glare and light spill, particularly to nearby sensitive receptors such as residential properties.
Lighting in sites of importance for nature conservation
In designated Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) shown on the policies map, instances of new artificial lighting should be avoided, including illuminated signs and advertisements, unless deemed necessary for the purpose of public safety or operations and management. Large expanses of glazing will not be permitted where facing directly onto a SINC to minimise light spill from internal sources, unless impacts can be mitigated through appropriate design.
If external lighting cannot be avoided, the colour temperature of lighting should not exceed 2,700K demonstrate that all reasonable and proportionate opportunities to reduce light pollution have been explored and incorporated.
New developments
5.114 External lighting is often required in new developments to help provide a healthy and safe environment and can also be used to enhance the appearance of some buildings and extend the use of other facilities, e.g. outdoor sports facilities. However, excessive lighting can have a negative impact on residents' quality of life, adversely affect wildlife, contribute to 'sky glow' and waste energy. Requiring the submission of details of external lighting in line with the recommendations of the Institute of Lighting Professionals for approval will allow external lighting and its impacts to be controlled and minimised.
5.115 Where development is proposed that will indirectly impact on biodiversity through light shading, the Council will require developers to demonstrate how any adverse impacts on biodiversity can be avoided or mitigated.
Light pollution and habitats
5.116 Evidence shows that artificial lighting can be especially harmful along river corridors, woodland edges and hedgerows, which are critical habitats for the UK's light-averse species, including many bat species (Guidance Note 8: Bats and Artificial Lighting, Institution of Lighting Professionals). Reducing existing levels of artificial light in the urban environment is therefore encouraged wherever possible.
Lighting schemes
5.117 External lighting within domestic gardens that serves a purely aesthetic function (such as uplighters in trees) should generally be avoided. Where lighting is necessary, it should use a colour temperature and intensity appropriate to the ecological context of the site. Lighting schemes must be particularly sensitive in areas adjacent to the River Thames and other ecologically important features, to avoid disrupting nocturnal wildlife such as bats.