INTRODUCTION

  The Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA) is one of the UK's leading astronomical societies and has members throughout the UK. Upon receipt of notification of the Inquiry into Light Pollution and Astronomy, the SPA circulated a questionnaire to all its members in order to gather evidence. Members were also asked to give copies of the questionnaire to any non-members known to them who also wished to contribute their views.

  The questionnaire was designed to help answer Question 1 of the Inquiry (What has been the impact of light pollution on UK astronomy?). More than 800 questionnaires were returned.

  Appendix 1 gives details of the analysis of the data.

RESPONSE TO THE COMMITTEE'S QUESTIONS

Q1:  What has been the impact of light pollution on UK astronomy?

  Over 98% of the replies indicated that light pollution is troublesome.

  Light pollution is so bad that a third of the people who responded can only ever observe the brightest objects in the night sky.

  Nearly 80% of them cannot or can only barely see the Milky Way.

  Well over half of the respondents have to travel between five and 50 miles to find conditions which they find acceptable.

  One in eight people has to travel more than 50 miles to find acceptable observing conditions.

Q2:  Are current planning guidelines strong enough to protect against light pollution?

  Clearly not. Light pollution is increasing at an alarming rate.

  It is not clear whether such guidelines do exist. In some local authority areas enquiries directed to planning departments do not produce any satisfactory response.

Q3:  Are planning guidelines being applied and enforced effectively?

  As stated above, it is not clear whether the guidelines do exist. If they are in force, they seem to be ignored almost everywhere. Complaints to planning and environmental departments concerning lighting levels generally result in a standard reply stating that no action can be taken because there is nothing that they can do.

Q4:  Is light measurable in such a way as to make legally enforceable regulatory controls feasible?

  It is technically possible to measure light levels, and it is easy to do. For the purposes of legal enforcement it would be necessary to have available a standard measuring device. Whether such a device yet exists is not known.

Q5:  Are further controls on the design of lighting necessary?

  Ideally, a lighting impact assessment should be required of every planning application, large or small.

  At the moment, the visual impact of a domestic proposal is considered only from the point of view of its daytime appearance. However, as for half the time the development is seen at night the effect of lighting on both the surroundings and upon the night sky should be taken into account.

  For commercial proposals, the impact of illuminated signage and floodlighting should similarly be subject to legislation.

  Street lighting should also be brought under scrutiny. The SPA welcomes the trend in some areas towards covered downwards-projecting lights, but the majority of street lighting has yet to be converted.