Spelthorne Borough Council

Providing Quality Services to the People of
Ashford, Laleham, Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell & Sunbury

Light pollution

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The installation of unsympathetically designed external lighting systems may adversely impact upon a neighbourhood by causing 'sky glow', glare to road users, and the admission of intrusive light into windows of neighbouring properties.

What can be done to minimise light pollution?

Light pollution is a rapidly growing phenomenon, which unlike noise and dust is not considered in law to be a nuisance, which can be regulated through environmental protection legislation. Whilst it may cause as much distress as intrusive noise and fumes there is very little recourse to the law to stop your neighbour from shining light at your property. However, recent legal actions have demonstrated that the law is now starting to consider that light can be a problem and it may be possible to take out a private court case against a neighbour. This should only be considered as a last resort due to the expense and the animosity it will cause between you and your neighbour. Try showing your neighbour the Institution of Lighting Engineers' leaflet "Domestic Security Lighting, Friend or Foe?" which can be downloaded from their website at www.ile.org.uk
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