HL Deb 04 June 2003 vol 648 cc170-2WA
Lord Corbett of Castle Vale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to lessen light pollution. [HL3029]

The Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Lord Rooker):

A number of Government initiatives in recent years have looked at the scope for mitigating the effects of light pollution.

In 1997 the Government published Lighting in the Countryside: Towards good practice. This guide was aimed at minimising the intrusiveness of lighting in the countryside, but its advice applies equally to lighting in urban areas. Lighting in the Countryside advises local authorities to consider a policy in relation to lighting in their development plans, and for supplementary planning guidance to elucidate those policies.

The 1998 Transport White Paper A New Deal for Transport—Better for Everyone states that. "where lighting is essential, it should be designed in such a way that nuisance is reduced and the effect on the night sky in the countryside minimised". The Highways Agency when providing new lighting or renewing existing lighting systems installs modern low-spillage luminaires. The Government have made £300 million in PFI credits available in 2003–04 to help local authorities in England (outside London) modernise their street lighting. In London a further £85 million in PFI credits will be available for street lighting over the next three years. This support is additional to that through revenue support grant. Modernisation of street lighting should result in reduced light pollution compared with older systems.

In October 2002 the Government issued a consultation paper entitled Living Places—Powers, Rights, Responsibilities. One of the issues the paper addresses is dealing with nuisance lighting. which it notes is a general contributor to light pollution. The paper sought opinions as to whether the Government should introduce new regulations for positioning of external lighting (other than street lights) and the powers to extend the statutory nuisance regime to include lighting. The paper also asked local authorities, householders and building developers whether they considered that the guidance in Lighting in the Countryside needed updating. The Government are currently considering the responses and are expecting to publish a summary document in the coming months.

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will define light pollution as a statutory nuisance and introduce regulations to enable environmental health officers to take actions to stop outdoor lights shining into homes. [HL3040]

Lord Rooker:

In October 2002 the Government issued a consultation paper entitled Living Places—Powers, Rights, Responsibilities. One of the issues the paper addresses is dealing with nuisance lighting, which it notes is a general contributor to light pollution. The paper sought opinions as to whether the Government should introduce new regulations for positioning of external lighting (other than street lights) and the powers to extend the statutory nuisance regime to include lighting. The paper also asked local authorities, householders and building developers whether they considered that the guidance in Lighting in the Countryside needed updating. The Government are currently considering the responses and are expecting to publish a summary document in the coming months.

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What evidence they have of the increase in light pollution in recent years; and how they intend to monitor it in the future. [HL3042]

Lord Rooker:

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not currently monitor light pollution in England and we have no plans at present to do so.