Artificial light nuisance

Nuisance lighting from your neighbours

If your neighbours lighting is causing problems for you it is advisable to discuss your concerns with your neighbour to solve the matter informally. Your neighbour may not be aware that their lighting is causing you a problem. Minor adjustments to the lighting may be a solution, for example:

• re-angling or partial shading of the light
• fitting of a passive infra red sensor
• using a lower power bulb

You can show the neighbour the effect of the light from "your side of the fence".

Unless the light is shining directly into a window at night and normal curtains do not keep it out we do not have the legal authority to investigate.

Lighting guidance

• Institute of Lighting Professionals - Advice on installing domestic security lighting
• Dark Skies Campaign - British Astronomical Society Campaign Website

Legislation for artificial light

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 amended the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to bring artificial light from premises under the Statutory Nuisance regime as of 6 April 2006. Statutory Nuisance however does not apply to artificial light from:

• street lighting
• airports
• bus stations and associated facilities and tramway premises
• goods vehicle operating centres
• railway premises
• prisons
• public service vehicle operating centres
• premises occupied for defence premises
• harbours and lighthouses

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