Legislation on light pollution (Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005) relates to artificial light emitted from premises which is prejudicial to health, or considered a nuisance. Exemptions may apply if the light is needed for security purposes.
Types of light pollution
Most complaints are about:
- commercial security lights
- domestic decorative lighting
- domestic security lights
- exterior lighting of buildings
- healthy living and sports facilities
- laser shows/sky beams/light art
Report
To make a complaint about light pollution, please use Report It. Choose 'Noise and Statutory Nuisance' from the drop-down menu, then tick 'Light Pollution'.
Alternatively, you can call the Environment Contact Centre on 01642 726001.
Using Report It
- Choose the location you'd like to make a report about, either by locating it on the map or typing in the postcode
- Please note, you aren't able to 'Filter type of issue' as for confidentiality reasons, we don't show the locations of reports about nuisance
- Once you've found the right location, click 'Next'
- Choose 'Noise and Statutory Nuisance' for 'Type of issue'
- Choose 'Light Pollution'
- Give details of your complaint, and attach any photos you have as evidence
- Confirm the address which you selected on the previous page
- Click 'Next'
- Type in or confirm your personal details, or choose to make an anonymous report
- Click 'Submit'
What we'll do
The legislation we use to deal with complaints about light is the Environmental Protection Act 1990. A section of the Act identifies that light emitted from premises can constitute a statutory nuisance. For light to be considered to be a statutory nuisance there must be evidence that it impacts on your use of your own premises.
We'll investigate your complaint to decide whether the light should be classed as a statutory nuisance. If it is, we'll contact the person responsible for the light and see whether a simple solution can be found. If the person responsible isn't prepared to resolve the situation, and we believe the light constitutes a statutory nuisance, then we'll serve the appropriate notice, and prosecution may occur if the notice is breached.
