Light Nuisance

What is light pollution?

How to prevent light pollution
What can I do if I have a problem?

Relevant Legislation

What is light pollution?

Artificial light has many uses such as the illumination of streets and hazardous areas, security lighting and increasing the hours of usage for outdoor recreation facilities but it can cause problems; light in the wrong place can be intrusive.

The home security lighting found in many domestic locations uses floodlighting controlled by a movement-sensor using passive infra-red (PIR). In many locations it is inappropriately installed and other forms of lighting would be a better choice.

Using PIR controlled 250 or 500 watt tungsten halogen floodlights may not be the best choice for lighting your house or garden because these lights:

Can be so unreliable that they are quickly discredited by householders and neighbours (common sense suggests that few people will check why a light has activated, assuming they have seen it activate);
Emit a harsh, intrusive and environmentally unfriendly light that is often a serious nuisance to neighbours. Lights where the PIR can be overridden to be switched on permanently can also cause nuisance;
Instantly switch on a powerful white light, resulting in a ‘flash factor’ that disturbs rather than aids human vision. When located near roads, this can be positively dangerous. Equally, badly adjusted and aimed lights can cause dark shadows due to their high intensity light;
Illuminate only when the criminal has picked a house and crossed its boundaries. This is too late and does not deter criminals when it matters most, namely when they are selecting a house;
Are extremely energy inefficient;
Require regular bulb replacements;
Are easily interfered with unless installed at the recommended height of more than 10';
Can increase the fear of crime amongst the most vulnerable by regularly activating for no apparent reason.

How to Prevent Light Pollution?
The alternative is to use high efficiency, low energy lighting controlled by a photo-electric cell (a dusk to dawn switch).

Such low wattage lighting, on permanently during the hours of darkness, provides a more than adequate level of illumination, provides a more constant level of illumination with fewer shadows, is not as harsh and is more environmentally friendly than tungsten halogen floodlights.
A low wattage unit placed out of easy reach at a height of eight to ten feet could illuminate an average rear garden, helping to create a reassuring environment and hopefully playing its part in deterring the burglar from selecting that house in the first place.
In cost terms, the low wattage ensures that even though the light is on all night, the cost to run is minimal - no more than a few pounds a year.

Although popular, PIR switched tungsten halogen floodlights can cause problems and may provide little extra security for a domestic dwelling. Many domestic versions on sale do not cope well in the hostile external environment.

The Institute of Lighting Engineers have produced an easy-to-understand guide to security lighting, balancing the pros and cons of both PIR halogen lighting and dusk-to-dawn low wattage lighting. They also outline how to fit a PIR light to avoid or mitigate some of the negative factors outlined above.(All of this assumes that the area being lit can be overlooked as there would be little point in lighting an area which cannot be seen).

What can I do if I have a problem?
Quite often the person causing the problem is unaware of the problem and contacting them informally can resolve the situation. In most cases all that is required is the proper placement of fixings sensors, lights and shielding accessories, or replacement by a lower wattage light.

You may find that they are unaware that they are causing a disturbance. Remember we may all be guilty of creating a nuisance from light nuisance at some time without knowing it. The problem is not always one of inconsiderate behaviour.

Relevant Legislation
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 amended the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to bring artificial light from premises under the statutory nuisance regime as of 6 April 2006.

If a neighbour does approach you about your security lighting, please try to understand their complaint. It is not unusual to inadvertently cause problems from intrusive illumination of neighbouring properties or excessive glare. If your lighting is causing a problem, then you are not only wasting energy and money but could be deemed to be causing a Statutory Nuisance (under sections 79 and 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and section 102 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005).

Further information is available from Sevenoaks District Council's Environmental Protection team on 01732 227000 or environmental.protection@sevenoaks.gov.uk and from the following websites: Lacors; Crime Reduction; UK Police Initiative

You may also find some of the guidance produced by the Institute of Lighting Engineers (ILE) useful:

Sevenoaks District Council,
Council Offices,
Argyle Road,
Sevenoaks,
Kent
TN13 1HG

01732 227000