Leading countryside and environment organisations have joined with astronomers [1] in calling on Southampton to scrap its plans for a permanent laser light show when the City Council’s Cabinet meets to decide on the project next week.

The Cabinet has already postponed a decision on the lasers once following strong criticism of the planned laser display. Now CPRE, the Council for National Parks, the South Downs Society, the New Forest Association and the Campaign for Dark Skies are calling for the project to be dropped once and for all at the Cabinet’s Monday, 5 February meeting.

In a joint statement, they said: ‘Boosting Southampton’s civic “brand” by shooting powerful laser lights miles into the surrounding countryside is a careless, misguided idea. It can only add to light pollution and the perception of energy waste, and far from enhancing Southampton’s status, it will turn the city into a bad neighbour.

‘Just imagine the effect if every town and city felt the need to do this sort of advertising. Our skies everywhere would be criss-crossed by lurid beams. Most people want to see the moon and stars in the sky at night, not laser displays.’

The Council has said the beams, shining from the Civic Hall Clock Tower to the four points of the compass, will be visible from as far away as 15 miles. [2]

The lasers will cross the New Forest National Park, the Isle of Wight and the East Hampshire and Sussex Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

CPRE Hampshire’s planning group Chairman, John Cooper said: ‘These beams would threaten the night skies of the city’s rural hinterland, the New Forest National Park and the designated South Downs National Park, as well as extensive stretches of countryside on the Isle of Wight and the tranquil waters of West Solent.

‘We can’t accept the designer’s contention that, even though they may be visible as far as 15 miles away, they generate virtually no light pollution.’

Jacquetta Fewster, Director of the South Downs Society said: ‘There’s something magical about a moonlit walk on the South Downs.  We call on Southampton City Council to drop its laser plans and to work to bring back our starry night skies.’

William Ziegler, Chairman of the New Forest Association said: ‘Having initially thought the proposal a joke as the idea was so ludicrous, the Association was appalled to discover that it was not. We are shocked by the total disregard that the Southampton City Council is apparently showing for its neighbours.  By law they have to have due regard of the fact that their action will undoubtedly affect a National Park.’

Bob Mizon, Coordinator of the Campaign for Dark Skies said: ‘The only thing that’s green about the Laser Gateway Project is the colour of the beams.’

The organisations point out that Southampton had intended to spend £249,000 on the laser show, granted by the Government-funded South East England Development Agency.

The five organisations would prefer the money to be spent on cutting light pollution, replacing lights which shine sideways and upwards into the night sky with efficient lighting which sends beams down to where they are needed. That way, Southampton would be enhancing nature’s very own light show – the stars, planets and moon across the night sky.

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NOTES FOR EDITORS
 

1. The Campaign to Protect Rural England’s Hampshire, Isle of Wight and national organisations are opposing the lasers. CPRE 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.

CfDS, the British Astronomical Association’s Campaign for Dark Skies, aims to preserve and restore the beauty of the night sky by campaigning against excessive, inefficient and irresponsible lighting that shines where it is not wanted nor needed.  President: Dr Richard Miles.

The Council for National Parks’ mission is to protect and enhance National Parks and areas that merit National Park status and to promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all. President: Brian Blessed.

The South Downs Society has worked to protect the Downs since 1923. The Society’s prime concern is the protection of the unique landscape of the South Downs.

The New Forest Association has been the independent voice of the New Forest since 1867, making it the second oldest conservation organisation in the world.  For over 135 years the NFA’s guiding purpose has been to protect, conserve and enhance the flora, fauna and heritage of the New Forest, and all that makes it unique.

2. The laser beams would shine from dusk to midnight every night providing ‘a visual welcome to Southampton for miles around’, according to Southampton City Council’s website.