Issue - meetings

Application for installation of 19 lamp posts along driveway (retrospective).

Late items:

Introduction:-

The application seeks permission for the retention of 19 lighting columns alongside the access driveway from Whittington lane to the farmhouse/yard.

An early evening (5-5:30pm) site visit was conducted by officers.

Consultations:-

A further letter has been received from an existing objector raising concerns regarding light pollution on wildlife.

Officer Comments:

The additional comments arise from an objection received by LCC Ecology Unit that the lights are being kept on all night.

 LCC ecology make the following comments: I have been contacted by a local resident concerning the above application. I understand that this is retrospective and that the application is to regularise the existing lighting. It was my understanding from the application documents that these lights would only be used occasionally, and for short bursts of time. However, it appears that they may be being used for more longer periods of time throughout the whole night. I would draw your attention to the ‘Bats and Lighting Protocol’ (attached) which explains possible mitigation in more detail. Please note that this refers to the immediate light spill in the area, we are not able to provide guidance on further ‘glare’.

Officers have made an evening site visit and timed the lights which are on a motion sensor and are triggered by movement from large objects such as cars or people at the house or the entrance driveway. The lights stay illuminated for 7 minutes. They are not triggered by small movements from wildlife.  A condition is included on the permission to ensure that the lights remain on a timer of 10 minutes as a maximum and that the lamps must not be permanently illuminated.

The third objection is not from a new address but a second objection from an existing address. The objection is based on light pollution.

Additional comments have been received from the Environmental Health officer after the site visit which confirms: that following the site visit I do not believe that the light from this application would cause significant impact on local residents and as such I do not object to this application.  Should the permission be granted, and complaints arise, the matter could be investigated through nuisance legislation; however, based on what I saw last week, it is very unlikely that the light would cause statutory nuisance.

A condition is included that restricts the illumination of the light bulbs to 1600LM which is within the guidance set by the Institute of Lighting Engineers.

CONCLUSION:

The additional comments can be addressed by the conditions as set out in the Officer Report and the Officer recommendation for approval subject to conditions remains.

Application for installation of 19 lamp posts along driveway (retrospective).

It was moved by Councillor Gibbons and seconded by Councillor Walker that permission be granted. Councillor Findlay, seconded by Councillor Cartwright, proposed that a condition be added to require warm white bulb (with a yellow glow, rather than bright white) to be used. The mover and seconder of the original motion accepted the amendment. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the officer’s report and the abovementioned additional condition to require use of warm white bulbs in the 19 lamps that were the subject of the planning application.