Light pollution becomes a Statutory Nuisance this week (Thursday 6 April). Countryside campaigners are giving the new law {1} a warm welcome, but say the time has now come to snuff out the problem at its source. 

CPRE {2} is calling on the Government to stick to its commitment {3} to prevent future light pollution through strong planning policy.

'Thanks to the new law, some people will at last be able to take action if their lives are being blighted by selfish, wasteful use of light. But the only logical long-term solution is to design light pollution out of our lives,' said Tom Oliver, CPRE's Head of Rural Policy.

'If planning policy is as clear as day that new development should not add to light pollution, we will stop obliterating star-filled skies at night with sky glow. That will be welcome to lovers of stars and the ancient darkness of the countryside.'

CPRE looks forward to securing strong planning policy on light pollution with the drafting of the forthcoming addition to the Government's planning policy on pollution control {4}.

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Section 102 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, 2005. 

2. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Sir Max Hastings. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

CPRE initiated a major campaign — Night Blight! —- in 2003 in conjunction with the British Astronomical Association and the Campaign for Dark Skies.  One major objective was to secure light pollution as a Statutory Nuisance.  This has now been achieved. Another objective is the planning out of light pollution using the Government's system of Planning Policy Statements.

3. On 17 March, in a written response to a question raised at a meeting of the National Planning Forum on 9 March, ODPM officials confirmed that the Government intends 'to draft a new annex to PPS23 [Planning and Pollution Control] to provide advice on how the planning system can be used to minimise the adverse effects of external lighting'.

4.  A consultation on the draft light pollution annex to PPS23 is expected this summer.