The Orpington Astronomical Society exists to further the education of people living in Orpington and the surrounding areas in Astronomy, and to provide facilities for active participation in astronomical observation. Our members have considered the questions posed by the Science and Technology Committee, and offer the following answers for consideration by the Committee.

1.  What has been the impact of light pollution on UK astronomy?

  For amateur observers, light pollution has had an increasingly detrimental effect on the quality of their observation. In the Orpington area our members suffer particularly from three sources of light pollution.

  First, from poorly shielded sports lighting. The floodlit recreation ground at Goddington Park has floodlights that direct a lot of light up into the sky. The stray light from this facility is almost bright enough to read by at our Society's normal observing site three quarters of a mile away. The facility's lights are normally turned off after 9.30 pm.

  Second, from excessively bright outside security lights. These are often installed to illuminate a garden or driveway, are usually poorly shielded so that they direct about half their output upwards, and are also much brighter than strictly necessary. Many of our members report having problems with lighting of this kind installed on properties nearby.

  Third, from poorly designed lamps illuminating streets and car parks. Some of our local supermarket car parks are lit using globe lamps that direct a lot of light straight into the sky.

  The general level of light pollution from all sources including poorly shielded street lighting and floodlights has significantly reduced the scope of astronomical observation that can be performed. It is no longer possible to see the fainter stars or the Milky Way with the un-aided eye from the Orpington area.

2.  Are current planning guidelines strong enough to protect against light pollution?

  New sports facility lighting is subject to planning controls, and light pollution is at least sometimes considered by planning authorities before lighting is installed. Supermarket car parks do however seem to escape close scrutiny.

  External security lighting on private properties does not appear to be subject to any controls. This kind of lighting does pose a significant nuisance, and not just for amateur astronomers. Sensor-triggered automatic lighting can dazzle road users (a safety hazard), and disturb neighbours by shining through windows.

3.  Are planning guidelines being applied and enforced effectively?

  Our members' experiences suggest that the London Borough of Bromley does consider light pollution when presented with plans that involve the installation of external lighting. However in some cases light pollution may not be being given sufficient priority in the decision-making process.

4.  Is light measurable in such a way as to make legally enforceable regulatory controls feasible?

  Yes. Modern electronic sensors are extremely sensitive, and can be used to measure even very low levels of light accurately and reliably.

5.  Are further controls on the design of lighting necessary?

  Yes, we believe further controls are needed to cover three situations.

  First, to ensure that all street and car park lighting uses lamps with a full cut-off design that prevents direct illumination of the sky.

  Second, to prevent the sale of domestic security lighting fixtures that cannot be shielded adequately.

  Third, to define poorly directed lighting as a statutory nuisance so that those adversely affected by it can take legal action against those responsible.

24 April 2003