Getting External Lighting Right

Good external lighting design can significantly uplift the visual environment of any scheme. However, wider considerations of light pollution, energy efficiency, safety and security need to be appropriately considered. Addressing the issue at planning stage not only supports planning applications but also promotes a fit-for-purpose and cost effective basis for the detailed design.

Light pollution was introduced to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPFF Paragraph 125) on March 2012 and since then local planning authorities have been introducing planning policy requirements looking to control the impact of external artificial light installations.

Our experience in producing External Lighting Statements and Light Pollution Reports spans across a range of schemes including residential public realm areas to sports facilities. Through our integrated energy and environmental services portfolio and our client focus we are able to offer tailored advice to ensure the design promotes safety, security, energy efficiency while proposing effective light pollution mitigation strategies. The effects of lighting in terms of glare, sky glow, and light intrusion are assessed to mitigate the site specific risks in accordance with the Institute of Lighting Professionals Guidance on Obtrusive Light (ILP, 2011), CIBSE/SLL Publications on lighting and relevant British Standards.