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FLOODLIGHT PLANNING SERVICES |
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It is getting more and more common that an application for floodlighting will be refused. This can be because of many factors including light pollution and the effects on surrounding property. We will try to guide you towards a successful planning application. Floodlighting is frequently requested for sports facilities to enable them to be used on winter evenings for training or competition; to enable an expensive facility such as an Artificial Turf Pitch to be more viable and justify the level of capital investment; to enable more people to participate and give more choice and flexibility of playing time. There have been significant advances made in the design and maintenance of floodlighting systems. “The site should be able to accommodate any necessary lighting without undue intrusion or significant adverse impact upon the immediate locality or wider environment”. The reasoned justification to the policy refers to the need for environmental safeguards and measures to protect residential amenity and maintain highway safety. Light pollution can be a problem in both urban and rural areas. Residential amenity aspects will be most significant in an urban area, whilst sky glow may be the most significant impact in a rural area. The Department of the Environment and the Countryside Commission in 1997 produced a Good Practice Guide: “Lighting in the Countryside”: Towards Good Practice” which provides practical advice on the prevention and control of lighting impacts through appropriate action by all those involved with lighting in the countryside. The guide suggests that Local Planning Authorities should recognise the cumulative impacts of lighting on countryside character and consider the need for policies on lighting in the development plan and for supplementary planning guidance to elucidate these policies. Much of the advice in the Good Practice Guide is applicable to urban and suburban areas as well as the countryside. The Sports Council has also produced Guidance Notes to advise potential developers of floodlit sports facilities on the issues they should consider in order to reduce the potential effect on the local environment. Different sports require different levels of light. The lighting requirements for individual sports are set out in the Sports Council |
Getting planning for floodlighting |
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Sports Lighting UK |
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Lighting in the Countryside There is growing concern that excessive lighting on rural roads, village streets and in other areas of the countryside can lead to sky glow which shuts out the splendour of the night sky and lighting apparatus can be visually intrusive in daytime. There can be a subtle cumulative effect on the character of rural landscapes that tends to blur the distinction between urban and rural area. Two key considerations are identified in the DOE/CC 1997 Good Practice Guide – the importance of countryside character and the need to minimise the use of lighting and its impacts. Lighting in Urban Areas Although the apparatus associated with floodlighting is often more readily assimilated in urban areas, and the wider impact of the light generated less intrusive, particular problems can occur in respect of residential amenity. The proximity of housing and the way in which the floodlighting and use of the site impacts on the amenities enjoyed by the occupiers will be an important factor in determining the acceptability of proposals. |
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Proposals for floodlighting of sports facilities will be permitted where:- 1 There is no significant adverse impact on the landscape character in terms of: �� the sensitivity of a given area to the introduction of exterior lighting (night-time) �� the effect of lighting on the visual character of the landscape or built environment in terms of siting and the existing landform (day-time) �� the effect on historical or wildlife features �� the design of new planting and landscaping proposals 2 There is no significant adverse impact on the visual amenity of residents. 3 The safety of transport users is not adversely affected. 4 The proposal does not represent an unacceptably adverse intensification of use of the application site. In addition there may be a need to consider the impact on special interest groups such as astronomers. The Borough Council may impose planning conditions to influence the design of lighting installations and to mitigate their impacts. |
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a Night-time Impact Areas with the presence of dark skies such as remote or undeveloped areas of countryside will be particularly sensitive to light intrusion. The Institute of Lighting Engineers in their Guidance Notes for the reduction of Light Pollution give examples of environmental zones. The presence of existing lighting in the locality will be examined. b Day-time The effect on sky-lines, key views and on landscape character generally will be looked at. The siting of lighting is of particular importance e.g. concentrating lights in one part of the site, screening key views and giving careful consideration to the treatment of the boundaries of any development. The existing topography or landform varies in its ability to accommodate lighting. A relatively flat landform and well developed hedgerows may contain views, but cannot screen sky glow. Rolling landforms may reduce the impacts of lighting but dark upland areas will be particularly sensitive in terms of light pollution. c Historical or Wildlife Features The presence of conservation areas, listed buildings, nature reserves or areas of wildlife interest which may be adversely affected will be taken into account. d Landscaping Landscaping proposals such as allowing existing hedges to grow, the planting of new hedges and internal planting within a site may screen some of the impacts of new lighting. Care must be taken though not to adversely alter the existing landscape character or block important local views. |
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Applicants will therefore need to demonstrate how use of the existing landform, or landscaping proposals will mitigate the impact of the proposal. Sports floodlights tend to be tall and may be intrusive in visual terms. There are advantages in mounting the lamp as high as possible so that its light can be directed downwards, minimising glare and sky glow. However, tall masts may be visually intrusive during the day-time. The following principles should therefore be considered as advocated in the DOE/CC guide: �� consider potential for temporary floodlighting and for lowering light columns in summer when they are not in use �� design lighting to be as directional as possible, using the minimum number of lights required and to minimise light pollution �� the appropriate colour of lighting poles �� floodlights should only be on when the facility is in use. 2 Residential Visual Amenity Aspects Residential amenity aspects will be particularly important in urban areas. Distances between the proposed lighting and the boundaries of residential curtilages will be examined. The amount of light falling on a surface is known as the luminance and is measured in lumens per square metre or lux. The strength of light in a given direction is referred to by engineers as luminous intensity and this is measured in candelas. Light spill from a misdirected source can be distracting and annoying and can destroy a sense of privacy, especially where bedrooms may be effected by increased light levels at night. 3 Transport Safety The relevant highway authority will be consulted regarding any increased luminance caused by the proposed lighting and the possible effects of glare on road users. Glare from excessively bright or poorly aimed lights causes dazzle, with safety implications for motorists and pedestrians, particularly the elderly. |
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4 Intensification of Use The provision of floodlighting often involves an intensification of use. The use to which a floodlit area is put can have a considerable impact on the amenity of the surrounding area. There will be a considerable difference between a facility used for training purposes, or just by the participants in a sport and a use which attracts large numbers of spectators. The other aspects of intensification such as noise, access and car parking are addressed by other Development Control policies but remain valid concerns for assessing any floodlighting proposals. 5 Special Interest Groups Britain’s astronomers have been particularly affected by the impact of light pollution on the night sky. The activities of astronomers are affected most by sky glow, but light trespass and glare may also cause severe problems if they are close by. 6 Conditions Conditions may cover such matters as: �� hours of illumination �� light levels �� column heights �� specification and colour treatment for lamps and luminaries �� the need for full horizontal cut-off �� no distraction to the highway �� levels of impact on nearby dwellings �� use of demountable / telescopic columns �� retention of screening vegetation �� use of planting and bunding to contain lighting effects These matters and the issues raised in this policy guidance need to be addressed in any planning applications submitted to the Borough Council. Applicants are advised to consult the relevant lighting experts before submitting a scheme. The DOE/CC Good Practice Guide provides useful information on issues to consider in the scheme preparation of lighting installations. The Institute of Lighting Engineer’s “Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Light Pollution” 1994 and the Sports Council Guidance Notes “Floodlighting” 1994 and Facilities Fact file 2 – “Floodlighting for Sport” also provides useful information”.
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Sports lighting design, installation & maintenance |
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Tel- 01625 876716 |