Category Description

Lighting legislation is made in the England by the local planning authorities (part of the local council) in the relevant local development plans (or unitary development plans (UDP's) as they are now called in the new unitary authorities). These development plans may set down controls on the lighting on buildings before they are built or extended, but planning controls are not retrospective, therefore lights on buildings built or extended before the introduction of lighting legislation are not covered by the legislation.

The local legislation is also based upon national (UK), English and regional (eg:Northeast) government planning guidance in the form of planning policy guidelines (PPG's). The regional, provincial and national pieces of legislation act as templates for local legislation which may take into account local views or the expected level of pollution or urbanisation in the local areas.

The environmental health departments have no legal powers of control over light pollution though may investigate cases. This means that the problem is best tackled at the planning level.

Please read the description for Society: Issues: Environment: Light Pollution: Regulationand the description for Society: Issues: Environment: Light Pollution: Regulation: United Kingdomfor further information.

Also, please read the FAQs and description for Society: Issues: Environment: Light Pollution for general information.