At last the misery of being kept awake or disturbed by badly directed lighting can be tackled head on. This is a good day for everyone's quality of life and a significant victory for our campaign against light pollution.'

This is the verdict of CPRE{1} on the news that intrusive lighting will now be treated as a statutory nuisance with the passing yesterday of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act.{2}

'We have campaigned{3} hard for this change in the law to improve the environment and the quality of life for anyone who suffers from intrusive lighting. It can be intolerable to be doused in light from a selfish or negligent neighbour and now action can be taken to stop it,' said Tom Oliver, CPRE's Head of Rural Policy.

He continued:

'The enjoyment of the natural experience of night time is key to human health and happiness. The sight of the night sky and nocturnal wildlife are precious experiences and this new law will help protect them.'

Tom Oliver concluded:

'We hoped to avoid many exemptions from the Act{4} and we are disappointed that the Government has failed to keep the list of exemptions as short as it should have been. Some places, like road and rail transport facilities, airport car parks and harbours, will not be covered by the law. That is unfinished business.

'But overall, the principle has been established that bad lighting can seriously damage your health or quality of life and that people should be able to do something about that. It's a big step in the right direction.'

- END -

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. We promote positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside to ensure change values its natural and built environment. Our Patron is Her Majesty The Queen. We have 59,000 supporters, a branch in every county, nine regional groups, over 200 local groups and a national office in London. CPRE is a powerful combination of effective local action and strong national campaigning. Our President is Sir Max Hastings.

2. The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act was given Royal Assent yesterday evening before Parliament was prorogued in the run up to the election.

3. CPRE launch the Night Blight! campaign against light pollution in May 2003. Since then the Government has agreed to provide a new planning policy statement on preventing light pollution in new developments. Now we have secured the inclusion of light pollution with noise and smell  as nuisances which can be tackled by local authority environmental health officers.

4. CPRE lobbied in Parliament for the list of exemptions to be withdrawn from the Bill. The rush to pass legislation prevented full debate and denied the opportunity for the exemptions to be removed from the Bill.