Light 

Artificial light has become essential in our modern society and we use it for many different things:   To light up our streets and roads at night As a security measure to protect our homes and businesses To increase the hours we play sports outdoors However the increase in the use of lighting has resulted in problems.  Light in the wrong place at the wrong time can be intrusive and there has been an increase in the number of complaints that the local authorities receive about light pollution over recent years.

• Light trespass – light spilling beyond the boundary of the property on which a light is located, sometimes shining through windows and curtains.
• Glare – the uncomfortable brightness of a light source when viewed against a darker background.
• Sky glow – the pink or orange glow we see for miles around towns and cities caused by a scattering of artificial light by airborne dust and water droplets.

• Security lights that light up buildings and their surroundings
• Floodlights used to illuminate games pitches, places of entertainment and buildings
• Street lighting
• Advertising and display lighting

• Harms people’s quality of life.  For example, it can disturb sleep when it shines into people’s home.
• Interferes with our view of the night sky.
• Wastes energy and therefore is a waste of resources and money.
• Can have an impact on the ecology and wildlife of an area, and affect the behavioural patterns of mammals, birds, insects and fish.

• Is the lighting necessary?
• Could safety be achieved by other measures such as putting a fence or a screen up around an area?
• Do the lights have to be on all night?  Swtitch off unnecessary lighting or install a timer switch.  Use only the necessary amount of lighting.

	1.      Use minimum wattage lamps.  For domestic security lights a 150W lamp are adequate.  High power lamps (300/500W) create too much glare reducing security.  A 9W lamp is adequate for an all-night porch in most situations.  2.      Angle your lights downwards so that they only illuminate the surface intended and do not throw light onto a neighbouring property.    To reduce the effects of glare main beam angles of all lights should be below 70 degrees.
	3.      Security lights should be correctly adjusted so that they only pick up the movement of the person in the area intended and not beyond.
	4.      Direct lights downwards.  If uplighting has to be used then install hoods or shield above the light to reduce the amount of wasted upward light.
	5.      Do not install equipment which spreads light above the horizontal.