Lighting can significantly affect neighbouring properties, wildlife, and the surrounding environment. In the context of UK planning, a Lighting Impact Assessment helps ensure that proposed developments do not cause unacceptable light spill, glare, or sky glow — all of which could lead to planning objections or refusal.
If your project includes any form of external lighting, a lighting assessment is a crucial step in securing planning approval.
What Is a Lighting Impact Assessment?
A lighting impact assessment evaluates the effects of artificial lighting from a proposed development on its surroundings. It ensures that external lighting is appropriately designed to minimise disturbance to:
• Nearby residential properties
• Ecologically sensitive areas
• Public spaces and highways
• Designated dark sky zones
Assessments are carried out in accordance with guidelines such as the Institute of Lighting Professionals (ILP) Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light (GN01).
When Is a Lighting Impact Assessment Required?
You may be asked to submit a lighting impact assessment if your development includes:
• External lighting for car parks, paths, or sports facilities
• Lighting near residential dwellings
• Illumination in rural or green belt areas
• Lighting close to ecologically sensitive sites (e.g. bat habitats)
• 24-hour operational or industrial premises
Local authorities are increasingly requesting these assessments to ensure lighting design meets environmental and amenity standards.
Why Are Lighting Impact Assessments Important?
- Prevent Objections from Neighbours and Councils
Uncontrolled lighting can cause glare, overspill, and disruption to local residents. A lighting impact assessment helps prevent objections by demonstrating that you’ve considered and mitigated these impacts. - Ensure Compliance with ILP and Local Policy
Planning officers often require lighting schemes to meet ILP GN01 recommendations. An expert assessment ensures your plans are policy-compliant from the outset. - Support Wildlife Protection
Poorly designed lighting can disrupt wildlife behaviour, particularly in rural areas. Assessments ensure lighting does not interfere with protected species, helping avoid costly ecological objections. - Improve Safety Without Over-Illumination
A professionally assessed lighting scheme provides effective illumination for safety and security without unnecessary light pollution. - Strengthen Your Planning Submission
Including a lighting impact assessment demonstrates your commitment to responsible development — giving planning officers confidence in your approach.
What’s Included in a Hawkins Environmental Lighting Impact Assessment?
At Hawkins Environmental, our assessments are tailored to the needs of planning authorities and your specific site conditions. Our reports typically include:
• Site analysis and lighting context
• Proposed lighting design specifications
• Assessment of obtrusive light (glare, spill, sky glow)
• Lighting contour plots and modelling outputs
• Mitigation measures to reduce light impact
• Compliance summary with ILP GN01 and relevant local policies
We work closely with lighting designers, architects, and planning consultants to ensure seamless integration with your application.
Who Needs a Lighting Impact Assessment?
You may need an assessment if your development:
• Is within or adjacent to a residential area
• Includes floodlighting or high-level lighting
• Operates at night or 24/7
• Is located near designated wildlife sites
• Receives planning feedback requesting a lighting review
Even small lighting installations can cause planning issues if not assessed properly — particularly in quiet, dark, or ecologically valuable areas.
Why Choose Hawkins Environmental?
We provide practical, planning-ready lighting impact assessments that help you:
• Avoid planning objections
• Meet environmental and amenity standards
• Reduce the risk of costly redesigns or delays
• Deliver compliant lighting solutions that work
If your project includes external lighting, a Lighting Impact Assessment is not just a box-ticking exercise — it’s essential to ensuring your application proceeds smoothly.
Contact Hawkins Environmental
• Phone: 01256 522332
• Email: enquiry@hawkinsenvironmental.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is a lighting impact assessment mandatory for all developments?
A1: No, but it is strongly recommended for any project involving external lighting, especially in sensitive or residential areas. Some councils make it a condition of validation.
Q2: Can lighting impact assessments prevent planning refusal?
A2: They can significantly reduce the risk by addressing issues like light spill and sky glow early in the process, satisfying both planning officers and neighbours.
Q3: What happens if my lighting design doesn’t comply?
A3: Your consultant will recommend mitigation measures — such as shielding, dimming, directional control, or adjusting operating hours — to bring the lighting into compliance with ILP GN01 and local expectations.