Wildlife Lighting Assessment

In collaboration with an Ecologist, we will clearly demonstrate that light-sensitive wildlife on or near your development will not be adversely affected by new exterior lighting.

A Wildlife Lighting Assessment from Lightable

We will clearly demonstrate how your development can be provided with a functional exterior lighting installation which will not adversely impact local wildlife. Our Wildlife Lighting Assessments fully comply with ILP GN08:23 Bats and Artificial Lighting at Night.

We will collaborate with your Ecologist (or your Local Authority’s) to understand key areas of ecological value, confirm dark corridors, agree an appropriate lighting strategy, and we’ll follow an iterative design process until we can say that the Ecologist is satisfied.

The design will be appended to a comprehensive report which will sit back-to-back with the recommendations of the Ecologist, removing any doubt that wildlife could be adversely affected by lighting at your development.

As a matter of course we will assess all forms of obtrusive light, including impact on local residents.

What can I expect?

Advice up front As part of our quote preparation, we will appraise the site and its setting. If we spot any significant risk from a lighting perspective, we’d tell you.

Collaboration We will work with the professional team as necessary, whether it be architect, landscape architect, ecologist, or any other stakeholder to ensure the right light is provided, to the right place, at the right time.

Ecology Ensuring that local wildlife will be protected from adverse lighting impact is critical to an assessment from Lightable. We will work closely with your Ecologist to remove any doubt that wildlife could be adversely affected by lighting at your development.

Detailed Assessment We will:

Establish the baseline and identify all potentially sensitive receptors, either through a desk based assessment or baseline lighting survey
Recommend a lighting specification and strategy, including lighting controls, plus provide mitigation measures
Undertake a quantitative assessment, design, and lux plot, clearly showing that obtrusive light limits will not be exceeded and that all sensitive receptors will be protected.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Does your project fall under EIA regulations? We have extensive experience writing Environmental Statement (ES) chapters for lighting, producing technical appendices, scoping, and presence at public consultations. We have also acted as lighting consultant on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).

Planning Condition Support We can help you discharge planning conditions related to exterior lighting. Send us a copy- we will review and advise the best way forward.

What standards does my Ecological Lighting Assessment need to meet?

Our Wildlife Lighting Assessments are produced in accordance with UK legislation, national policy, and recognised guidance. We will also comply with relevant policy as set out by your local authority.

Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
According to the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (CNEA) artificial light is a form of statutory nuisance, defined as “artificial light emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or nuisance;”.

Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light (GN:01) In the absence of prescriptive limits within CNEA, The Institute of Lighting Professionals (ILP) published Guidance Notes for The Reduction of Obtrusive Light (GN01) which is commonly adopted by local authorities in the UK as appropriate lighting assessment criteria.

Bats and Artificial Lighting In the UK (GN:08)
The ILP, in collaboration with Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), also published Bats and Artificial Lighting in the UK (GN08). This document provides guidance on how to minimise the effects of artificial lighting on bat species.

Guidance on Undertaking Environmental Lighting Impact Assessments (PLG:04)
Published by the ILP, this document outlines good practice in lighting design & provide practical guidance on production & assessment of lighting impacts within new developments.

Guidance on minimising the negative effects of light pollution is also contained in documents published by the Society of Lighting and Lighting (SLL), International Commission on Illumination (CIE), and British Standards, including BS EN 12464-2, BS EN 13201 and BS 5489.

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For further information, quotes, no-obligation advice, and any lighting related queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!