Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Policy ENV3: Light Pollution

1. Development requiring external lighting must satisfy the following criteria:

a) The lighting scheme proposed is the minimum required for security and working purposes to undertake the task;

b) There would be no unacceptable impact on visual amenity in the surrounding area;

c) The scheme will not have an unacceptable effect on road safety;

d) The scheme will not harm wildlife; and

e) There will be no unacceptable loss of residential amenity.

Explanation ENV3

13.17

The lighting of developments is important for security and safety reasons. However, different forms of lighting, from street lighting to security lighting, increasingly and unnecessarily pollute today’s environment. Poorly designed or badly aimed lights that are responsible for “sky-glow” can have detrimental effects on wildlife, astronomical interests, highway safety and reduce the feeling of remoteness in rural areas. The Council may in some cases use conditions to require that lighting is orientated away from residential properties or from nearby amenity or countryside areas.

13.18

Planning applications for development should be accompanied by details of any lighting schemes proposed to allow assessment of any likely impact.

Policy Links
Policy H5	“Development within Primarily Residential Areas”
Policy T12	“Aerodrome Safeguarding”
Policy G2	“Landscape Character and Amenities of the Green Belt”
Policy OS2	“Urban Greenspace”

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