From obtrusive light assessments to ecological lighting design, we deliver technically robust lighting assessments that satisfy planning requirements and protect the night-time environment.
Artificial lighting is increasingly recognised as a material planning consideration. Poorly designed external lighting can cause significant harm through obtrusive light to residential properties, disruption to ecological habitats, adverse effects on landscape character and unnecessary sky glow. Planning authorities routinely require lighting assessments to demonstrate that developments will not result in unacceptable light pollution.
At Air Dust Odour, we provide comprehensive lighting assessment services in accordance with the Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) guidance, including GN01 for obtrusive light limitation and PLG04 for ecological lighting. We assess developments against the ILP environmental zone classification system (E0 to E4), evaluating key parameters including illuminance levels (lux), luminous intensity (candelas), upward light ratio and sky glow contributions.
Whether your project involves commercial floodlighting, sports facilities, car park illumination or residential development near sensitive receptors, our reports are clear, technically rigorous and formatted to the standard that planning officers and environmental health professionals expect. We work with developers, architects, lighting designers and local authorities across the UK to ensure lighting requirements are addressed proportionately and cost-effectively.
Planning authorities will typically require a lighting assessment in the following situations.
Warehouses, distribution centres, industrial estates and commercial premises with external security lighting, loading bay illumination or signage that may affect nearby properties.
Football pitches, tennis courts, athletics tracks, equestrian arenas and multi-use games areas (MUGAs) where high-intensity floodlighting operates during evening and night-time hours.
Any development introducing new external lighting adjacent to existing dwellings, where light trespass, glare or sky glow could cause amenity impacts to residents.
Sites near bat roosts, foraging corridors, watercourses or other ecologically sensitive habitats where artificial light could disturb protected species or disrupt natural behaviour patterns.
Supermarkets, retail parks, drive-through restaurants and car parks with extensive external lighting that may affect residential amenity or landscape character in the surrounding area.
Where a local planning authority has attached a condition requiring a lighting assessment, lighting scheme approval or demonstration of compliance with ILP obtrusive light limits before development can commence.
We provide specialist lighting assessment services tailored to the scale, sensitivity and complexity of your project.
A comprehensive assessment of the lighting impacts associated with your development, prepared for submission with a planning application. We evaluate the proposed lighting scheme against ILP environmental zone thresholds, assess impacts on residential amenity and landscape character, and provide clear recommendations to ensure compliance with local and national planning policy.
Detailed assessment of obtrusive light in accordance with ILP Guidance Note GN01. We evaluate light trespass (vertical illuminance at receptor windows), source intensity (glare from luminaires), building luminance and upward light ratio against the environmental zone limits for your site. Results are presented clearly with comparison against the applicable E0 to E4 zone thresholds for both pre-curfew and post-curfew conditions.
Specialist assessment of artificial lighting impacts on bats and other light-sensitive wildlife, following ILP PLG04 and Bat Conservation Trust guidance. We design lighting strategies that maintain dark corridors along hedgerows, tree lines and watercourses, specify appropriate luminaire colour temperatures (warm white, below 2700K), and recommend shielding and directional controls to protect foraging and commuting routes.
On-site measurement surveys to establish existing baseline lighting conditions or to verify compliance with approved lighting schemes following installation. We use calibrated illuminance meters and luminance cameras to record lux levels, uniformity ratios and light spill at sensitive receptor locations, with results presented against the relevant ILP thresholds.
Assessment of sports lighting schemes including football, rugby, cricket, tennis, athletics and equestrian facilities. We evaluate floodlight designs against Sport England and ILP guidance, assessing spill light, glare and sky glow impacts on surrounding receptors. We advise on luminaire selection, mounting heights, aiming angles and curfew hours to minimise off-site impacts whilst maintaining adequate playing surface illumination.
Independent review of proposed lighting designs and layouts prepared by lighting engineers, with recommendations for mitigation where impacts exceed acceptable limits. We advise on luminaire specification, optical control, shielding, dimming strategies, curfew hours and alternative layouts to reduce obtrusive light, glare and ecological impacts to compliant levels.
We review the site location, surrounding land uses, sensitive receptors and ecological constraints to determine the applicable ILP environmental zone (E0 to E4). This establishes the obtrusive light thresholds against which the development will be assessed.
Where required, we carry out an on-site lighting survey to measure existing ambient light levels at the site and at key receptor locations. Baseline measurements provide the reference against which the additional contribution from the proposed development is assessed.
We assess the proposed lighting scheme against the relevant ILP guidance, evaluating light trespass (lux at receptor facades), source intensity (candelas), upward light ratio and sky glow contributions. Where lighting design data is available, we review isolux contour plots and luminaire photometric performance.
You receive a clear, professionally formatted report with an assessment of significance, comparison against ILP thresholds and practical recommendations for mitigation where required. We support you through the planning process, responding to queries from planning officers and environmental health consultees.
All our lighting assessments are carried out in accordance with the latest industry guidance and national policy.
A lighting assessment is typically required when external lighting is proposed near residential properties, ecologically sensitive areas (such as bat habitats), conservation areas or dark sky zones. Local planning authorities may condition developments to demonstrate that lighting will not cause nuisance.
The ILP guidance classifies areas into environmental zones from E0 (dark sky parks, no lighting) through to E4 (high district brightness, urban centres). The zone determines the maximum permitted levels for light trespass, source intensity and building luminance.
Yes. Artificial lighting can disturb protected species, particularly bats. If your site is near a bat roost or foraging corridor, an ecological lighting assessment may be required to demonstrate that your lighting design will not adversely affect protected species.
Key measurements include lux levels (illuminance on surfaces), light trespass onto neighbouring properties, source intensity (glare), upward light ratio (sky glow contribution) and colour temperature. These are assessed against ILP and CIE guidance for the relevant environmental zone.
Lighting impact assessments typically start from around £600. The cost depends on the scale of the proposed lighting, proximity to sensitive receptors and whether baseline surveys are required. Contact us for a project-specific quote.
