15 May 2008

Environment

Light Pollution

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to address the issue of light pollution, specifically requirements that planning applications should be accompanied by lighting plans, the concerns of property owners whose dwellings are unreasonably polluted by artificial light and the issue of streetlight pollution; and his views on the use of full cut off lights where necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Gormley):

There is no environmental legislation pending or in force, at either EU or national level, on light pollution. However, steps have been taken at a national level to help alleviate the effects of light pollution.

Irish regulations on environmental impact assessment (of projects which are likely to have significant effects on the environment) require an environmental impact statement to include an estimate of expected residues and emissions from the operation of the proposed development. This requirement expressly covers impacts from artificial lighting.

While a very limited number of planning authorities have included objectives in their development plans in relation to the minimisation of light pollution, it is open to authorities to address this issue in the context of providing for the proper planning and sustainable development of their areas through their development plans.

There are no currently no provisions in planning legislation that require planning applications to be accompanied by lighting plans. Under Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 planning authorities may attach such conditions to the grant of planning permission as they consider necessary for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The guidance document Recommendations for Site Development Works for Housing Areas, dated November 1998, is currently being reviewed by my Department to bring it in line with the sustainability agenda. The 1998 recommendations include a section on public lighting in housing areas and in the current review the opportunity will be taken to assess recommendations to avoid light pollution. When finalised, the revised recommendations will be made available to planning authorities.

I will keep under review the need for any additional measures to address the issues raised in the question.