Lighting Impact Assessment

A lighting impact assessment from us will show your local authority how compliant exterior lighting can be provided to your development while sufficiently protecting people, wildlife, and the night sky.

What is a Lighting Impact Assessment?

A lighting impact assessment is a technical report which assesses the effects of artificial lighting. It helps identify any potentially adverse effects and provides ways to mitigate them, ensuring that lighting is effective for its purpose while causing minimal disruption to the environment.

At Lightable we assess all forms of obtrusive light, including glare which is often overlooked. Detailed lighting modelling enables us to generate lux plots, run compliance checks, and (quantifiably) conclude that obtrusive light will not be an issue at your development.

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 considered We understand the responsibility of an ecologist, especially when light-sensitive protected species, such as bats, are found on or close to your development. We will help establish areas of key areas of biodiversity, confirm maximum acceptable light levels, and we’ll follow an iterative design process until the ecologist is satisfied.

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, 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 lighting impact assessment need to meet?

Our lighting impact assessments are produced in accordance with all recognised national policy and guidance. We will also review and adhere to any relevant policies 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.

Get started today!

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