§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will bring forward legislation to classify excessive light as a pollutant; [117085]
(2) if he will give local authorities powers to curb excessive lighting. [117087]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThere are already some planning controls over external lighting. Where development proposals require a planning application, the local planning authority can control the lighting installations by imposing conditions to prevent or minimise light pollution. However, the courts have ruled that light itself is not development as understood in planning law, so the creation or use of light in itself does not require planning permission. In 1997, we issued "Lighting in the Countryside: Towards Good Practice" which is also applicable in towns. In our view, such guidance represents the best way forward and we are not proposing to introduce further legislation in this area.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will restrict the sale of domestic floodlight bulbs to a 150 watt maximum. [117088]
§ Ms Beverley HughesWe have no plans to restrict the sale of such goods.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what circumstances poorly aimed and over-bright lighting is classified as a statutory nuisance. [117086]
§ Mr. HillAlthough light is not a specified statutory nuisance it may be considered as a nuisance in cases where intrusive lighting is so severe as to be prejudicial to health. It is for a local authority environmental health officer to decide whether there is a "statutory nuisance" occurring in a particular situation.