Report it

Light pollution

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.