Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of light pollution in towns and cities in England; and what steps they plan to take to support local authorities to reduce light pollution.

HM Government recognises that light pollution may have an impact on people and wildlife, affecting their health and wellbeing, as well as the environment. Through the 25 Year Environment Plan, we have committed to reducing all forms of pollution, including light pollution. Defra works with colleagues across HM Government whose policy areas affect the use of artificial light.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies and decisions should limit the impact of light pollution on local amenity. This is supported by guidance which emphasises the importance of getting the right light in the right place at the right time, which helps local planners and developers to design in ways that avoid glare and intrusion.

Decisions around lighting and reducing light pollution in towns and cities are best taken by local authorities within their specific context. HM Government has put in place a range of measures to ensure that light pollution is effectively managed through the statutory nuisance regime which means that, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities have a duty to investigate complaints about light emitted from premises which could constitute a nuisance or be harmful to health and have powers to take action where there is a problem.

The management of street lighting in towns and cities in England is the responsibility of local highway authorities, which have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the public highways in their charge, including street lighting. The Department for Transport encourages all local authorities to replace their street lighting with modern luminaires which can reduce light pollution.