Cranborne Chase National Landscape is a designated International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR).
Although Cranborne Chase National Landscape is not a statutory consultee for planning applications, we do comment on them if we become aware that the proposed lighting is not compliant with IDSR standards.
Although some Local Planning Authority (LPA) case officers do alert us to this, we are also reliant on parish councils and members of the public to do this.
How we can help…
Ideally, our involvement would begin at the pre-application stage. Our experience is that, if we are consulted early on in the process for a planning application, we can successfully help the applicant design lighting that both complies with IDSR requirements and effectively meets the lighting task.
If we are not involved at the outset, it is often the case that the proposed lighting is not compliant and therefore the applicant has to amend the application, which can lead to delay and additional costs.
Our responsibilities, and those of our partner LPAs, are embodied in our Management Plan, which is a statutory document. We are tasked with reducing light pollution, not merely minimising any increase. The fundamentals of compliant responsible lighting are embodied in our Good Practice Guides and Position Statements available on our Resources page.
If you are intending to submit a planning application for a development or alteration that will include either outside lighting or inside lighting that illuminates the outside of the building, please do seek our advice first.
If after reading our resources you still need help, get in touch with our Dark Sky Advisor or planning team on info@cranbornechase.org.uk or call 01725 517417.
