In this chapter

• Introduction to development management policy
• Housing
• Climate change
• Nature and ecosystem services
• Green Belt
• Jobs and economy
• Healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities
• Heritage and design
  • Policy HD/EQ: Environmental quality
  • Policy HD/WHSS: World heritage site and its setting
  • Policy HD/HE: Historic environment
  • Policy HD/SCCW: Somersetshire Coal Canal and the Wansdyke
  • Policy HD/GUDP: General urban design principles
  • Policy HD/LCD: Local character and distinctiveness
  • Policy HD/UF: Urban fabric
  • Policy HD/SS: Streets and spaces
  • Policy HD/BD: Building design
  • Policy HD/A: Amenity
  • Policy HD/IBD: Infill and backland development
  • Policy HD/L: Lighting
  • Policy HD/AOSF: Advertisements and outdoor street furniture
  • Policy HD/PR: Public realm
  • Policy HD/DC: Design codes
• Sustainable transport
• Pollution, contamination and safety
• Minerals and waste
• Waste
• Infrastructure

Policy HD/L: Lighting

About this page

How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works

These Development Management policy option pages contain the following sections:

Policy background

• Relevant national policy or regulations
• National or regional trends
• Local situation and needs/li>
• How we have dealt with this issue in the past
• The thinking behind the policy

Policy options for the new Local Plan

We may suggest a variety of approaches:

• Keeping existing policy as it is
• Making small changes
• Replacing the policy with something that is substantially different
• Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future

Policy option analysis

• A list of the advantages and disadvantages that we have identified for each of the policy options we are presenting.

More on this topic

Read the Heritage and Design Topic Paper for in-depth focus about this topic, and the evidence which informs our policy.

Explore the policy

Select a section below to read more.

Policy background

Background

9.412 The NPPF makes it clear that planning policies should limit the impact of light pollution from artificial light. Section 15 – Conserving and enhancing the natural environment sets out amongst other things the following:

‘Planning policies and decisions should also ensure that new development is appropriate for its location taking into account the likely effects (including cumulative effects) of pollution on health, living conditions and the natural environment, as well as the potential sensitivity of the site or the wider area to impacts that could arise from the development. In doing so they should:

c) limit the impact of light pollution from artificial light on local amenity, intrinsically dark landscapes and nature conservation.’

9.413 National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) includes further guidance on the factors that are relevant in considering the implications of light pollution, including ecological impact.

9.414 Placemaking Plan Policy D8 sets out the general principles that apply to all proposals for artificial lighting.

9.415 Within Bath and other urban areas, a high level of lighting exists and is generally accepted whilst recognising even within the urban area, important dark corridors and dark spaces do exist and these are used by, if not essential for, wildlife. The floodlighting of many historic buildings enhances the night time scene. However, badly designed lighting schemes can be just as damaging to private and public amenity as in darker rural areas. New light sources can have a disproportionate impact because of the area’s topography.

9.416 Within the district’s open countryside external lighting is generally not acceptable. Lighting can be extremely prominent and, in many cases, visible over a large area and can often introduce an urban appearance to the countryside which for the most part is not lit at night.

9.417  The detailed background and evidence relating to the following options is set out in the Heritage and design Topic Paper.

Policy Approach

9.418 The policy remains fit for purpose. The current policy accords with national and local strategies, however, some amendments should be incorporated.

9.419 The approach sought within the new local plan will be to update policy D8 to address requirements for all new external and public space lighting to have minimal blue light content, and to specify a general requirement for a colour temperature requirement in ecologically sensitive areas, and within protected landscapes.

Discussion questions 

Question 1: Policy D8

Do you think it is appropriate to retain this policy, with slight amendments, to address requirements for all new external and public space lighting to have minimal blue light content, and to specify a general requirement for a colour temperature requirement in ecologically sensitive areas, and within protected landscapes? Please give your reasons.

Advantages

• Adopted policy presents no issues or concerns arising from development management officers in its implementation.
• Controlling light pollution will provide benefits to the environment and greenhouse gas emissions. It will also present opportunities to reduce harm to humans’ health and wellbeing and wildlife benefiting nature recovery.

Disadvantages

• None identified.

Question 2: Environmental Zones

Should we consider defining Environmental Zones for the district? Please give your reasons.

Question 3: Dark sky status

Should B&NES and/or City of Bath consider applying for dark sky status?

Question 4: Blue light free care spaces

Could/should B&NES aspire to become blue light free within its care spaces?