Under new legislation (Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005) artificial light can now be considered a Statutory Nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 along with noise, odour etc.
The act will mainly cover lights from domestic and commercial security lights, Healthy Living and Sports centres, Domestic decorative lighting eg Christmas lights, Exterior lighting of buildings/monuments, Laser shows/sky beams/light art. If your complaint is about a street light that is causing a light problem please contact Devon County Council.
There are some exceptions:-
- Airports
- Harbours
- Railway premises
- Tramway premises
- Bus stations and associated facilities
- Public service vehicle operating centres
- Goods vehicle operating centres
- Lighthouses
- Prisons
- Premises occupied for Defence purposes
We are currently working with Devon County Council to investigate light nuisance complaints, but otherwise our investigation will follow the same principles of all other nuisance complaints.
Our advice if you are being bothered by artificial light is to speak to the person who is responsible for it. The solution can be quite simple:-
- re-direct the light source.
- use a lower wattage bulb
- reduce the angle of any detectors so they don't pick up pedestrians or animals on the other side of the road
- Use a timer to control the times the light comes on
If speaking to your neighbour does not work or is not an option please contact us. Anonymous complaints are not usually investigated.
Further Information
Guidance on Sections 101 to 103 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
Domestic Security Lighting, Friend or Foe
Environmental Considerations for Exterior Lighting
Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light
Websites
Lighting the in the Countryside - Towards good practice
Lighting Advice from the National Society for Clean Air
Contact Number: 01803 861234 Email: environmental.health@southhams.gov.uk |
