A great victory for CPRE{1} in the battle against light pollution.'

This was CPRE's delighted reaction to today's announcement that the Government has honoured its pledge to make intrusive lighting a statutory nuisance{2}.

'At last people up and down the country will be able to fight back against blinding or distracting lighting which has for far too long blighted their lives and forced them to endure the thoughtless decisions of others,' said Tom Oliver, Head of Rural Policy at CPRE.

'Our campaign against light pollution inspired a wave of protest at the anti-social nature of so much external lighting which is destroying our views of the stars{3}. We called for intrusive lighting to be made a statutory nuisance and now we're delighted that the Government is now legislating for this,' Tom Oliver continued.

CPRE warned that the devil still lies in the detail with the Government's draft bill{4}.

'We are committed to working with the Government to ensure that as many sources of intrusive lighting as possible are covered in the final legislation,' Tom Oliver concluded.

'But this is a great day for CPRE and for everyone who values the quality of their environment and the empowerment of individuals to protect it.'

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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 Government published the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill today, Wednesday 8 December 2004

3. CPRE, in partnership with the British Astronomical Association's Campaign for Dark Skies, launched a major campaign against light pollution in 2003 with satellite-based maps showing how light pollution was spreading rapidly across the UK. In November that year the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee published its report on light pollution and astronomy which backed our call for far greater Government action against light pollution, including making intrusive lighting a Statutory Nuisance.

4. Airports, harbour premises and "goods vehicle operating centres" are presently excluded from the proposed legislation.