HL Deb 11 June 2003 vol 649 c38WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have received from the Council for the Protection of Rural England and the British Astronomical Association about light pollution; and whether they will consult these bodies as well as local authorities, lighting manufacturers and the Institute of Lighting Engineers about measures needed to reduce the problem. [HL3109]

Lord Rooker

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received a number of representations from the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) about its joint campaign with the British Astronomical Association against light pollution—"Night Blight". Officials from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have met representatives from CPRE to discuss the campaign and its proposals.

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 Council for the Protection of Rural England and the British Astronomical Association (Campaign for Dark Skies) both responded to the consultation. These responses, along with the others received, are being considered carefully before any of the options set out in the consultation are taken further.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister would, of course, undertake a full consultation, including all the bodies listed, if it was proposed to introduce any additional measures to mitigate light pollution.