City of London Consults Developers on Light Pollution Strategy

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13 February 2023

The City of London Corporation is looking to implement requirements that restrict how buildings are lit in the Square Mile.

The draft Lighting Supplementary Planning Document will outline requirements for future planning applications in the Square Mile and provide guidance on lighting existing buildings. Under the plans, developers must submit a detailed strategy for how their buildings are lit and how they are reducing light pollution.

The City Corporation is seeking comments from developers, building owners, residents, workers and visitors.

City of London Corporation Planning and Transportation Committee Chairman Shravan Joshi said: “The City is a unique place in which 24/7 business districts and busy transport hubs rub up against historic buildings and residential neighbourhoods.

“The strategy laid out in this document is aimed at ensuring an intelligent, sensitive approach to lighting which ensures the City is safe and accessible, while protecting its historic character and the amenity of our residents. We would really welcome the views of people who live, work in or visit the City, which will help us to shape how we enshrine responsible lighting in planning process and to meet our ambitious climate targets.”

Considerate Lighting Charter

The City Corporation will also encourage businesses and building owners to sign up for a new voluntary Considerate Lighting Charter, to show their commitment to improving lighting in the area. The proposals are aimed at reducing the impact of artificial light on residents and helping the City Corporation reach its target of achieving carbon net-zero for the Square Mile as a whole by 2040.

The document proposes allocating new developments into “brightness zones”, with curfew times during which all external lighting other than that required for safety or crime prevention reasons should be switched off or dimmed.

Owners of new developments would be required to consider lighting levels and to turn off or dim their lights earlier if their building is in a sensitive area such as a residential or special heritage area.

The consultation runs until Friday, 17 February 2023 at 5 pm and can be completed at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lightingconsultation

Picture: a photograph of London at night, showing several prominent City of London buildings such as 20 Fenchurch Street (the walkie-talkie) and 122 Leadenhall Street (the cheesgrater). Image Credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 13 February 2023

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