Artificial lighting

Artificial light is essential in our modern society. It has many uses including illumination of streets, roads and hazardous areas; for security lighting; to increase the hours of usage for outdoor sports and recreation facilities, to enhance the appearance of buildings at night.

The increased use of lighting, however, can cause problems. Light in the wrong place at the wrong time can be intrusive. The council can investigate complaints of disturbance caused by artificial light (such as domestic security lights).  We can take action where light trespass prevents you using or enjoying your home.  An example: if there is enough artificial light coming through the window with the curtains drawn to read a book by; then this maybe a problem we can help with.

Advice about how to avoid creating light nuisance

When you install any external lighting to your own property, take a moment to think about how it may affect your neighbours.  Security lights do not actually need to be very bright to be effective.  A 150-watt tungsten halogen lamp is quite adequate (300 or 500-watt bulbs are too powerful for domestic security lighting).

Consider the angle of the light unit to prevent light spilling onto your neighbour's property.  You can also use shades, so that you only direct the light to the areas where needed.

You can control lights with a sensor or time switch, so you only turn them on when needed.  This will not only help prevent nuisance, but it will also keep running costs down. 

Please download the leaflet on the right for further information.

Having problems with an artificial light nuisance?

If artificial light coming from your neighbour's property is causing you a problem, the best approach may be to talk politely to them about the issue.  You could perhaps offer to show them how disturbing the light is to you by showing them from your property.

If this approach is not successful, or you feel it is not appropriate, you can contact environmental health, who will investigate the matter for you. 

If you would like any further advice and information please contact the Environmental Protection Team - see the contact details on the right.