Light pollution
Light pollution can be described as artificial light that illuminates areas that are not intended to be lit. In some cases, it can harm a person's quality of life. We can investigate the impact of artificial light on your property and act when it is a Statutory Nuisance.
How do I avoid causing light pollution?
If you have security lights at your home or business, you should check them to ensure that they don’t cause a problem for people living close to you.
Make sure you:
- do not fit unnecessary external lights
- do not use excessively bright lights, use the least powerful light needed for the purpose
- angle your light(s) downwards or fit cowls to make sure you only light the area needed
- check that your motion detector is not set too far away so as to detect animals or people in the street or at a neighbouring property
- do not leave lights on when they are not needed. Consider controlling lights with passive infra-red detectors or timers.
What to do if you are affected by light pollution.
In most cases, we advise that the informal approach is the best course of action. This gives the person responsible for the light, time to fix the problem, especially if they are not aware their security light is affecting their neighbours.
If you feel able to discuss this with them, hopefully you can then reach a solution. If this isn’t possible or a solution can’t be found, please report the issue to us.
Report an intrusive security light
Complain about a security light in Broadland or South NorfolkFrequently asked questions
Light may be a Statutory Nuisance when it is unreasonable and causes substantial interference in the use and enjoyment of your home e.g. it keeps you awake at night because it lights up your bedroom with your curtains closed. It does not consider inconvenience, annoyance or personal sensitivities and just being able to see the light would not make it a nuisance.
- Artificial domestic light such as security lighting.
- Artificial commercial light such as illuminated delivery areas.
We are unable to investigate anonymous requests so you must provide your name, contact details and address to enable your request to be dealt with.
What we cannot investigate
- Reflection or glare from solar panels or buildings.
- Artificial light from airports, railways, bus station, public service vehicle operating centres or prisons.
- Streetlights - please Report a street lighting problem.
- Sky glow.
- Visual impact.
- Artificial light due to a lack of window coverings, yours or the other persons.
We are unable to investigate anonymous requests so you must provide your name, contact details and address to enable your request to be dealt with.
We need to record the following sort of information to see whether the problem meets the legal test of 'Statutory Nuisance':
- How long it lasts.
- How often it happens.
- The surrounding environment.
- The level and type of light.
In most instances, you will be asked to keep a record of when you are affected.
We may also collect other information on site visits and contact we have with the person using the light. We do not share your details at this time.
The evidence gathered in the investigation will decide what happens next.
We will assess your request to decide whether it could be a Statutory Nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
If the evidence shows a Statutory Nuisance we will serve a legal notice. This will make it against the law for the person causing the nuisance to carry on doing so. If they continue, we may take the person to court or take other steps to ensure the Notice is followed.
If the issue is investigated and is not a Statutory Nuisance, then we will not take further formal action and we will let you and the other person know.