Guardians of the Night: Part 4
At DW Windsor, we remain committed to responsible lighting practices. To further this commitment, we recently interviewed leading Dark Sky experts and consolidated their insights into a five-part series called Guardians of the Night. These articles illuminate the impact of light pollution and propose practical steps to mitigate it. Grounded in expert knowledge and research, these recommendations serve as a guiding framework for sustainable nighttime lighting solutions.
Part 4 - Planning and assessment for successful DarkSky Approved lighting schemes
The following article provides practical steps to guide the successful assessment and application of Dark Sky approved lighting to make responsible lighting a reality.
Planning process and lighting assessment for a Dark Sky lighting scheme
Both planners and applicants need to be aware of and understand what is required when submitting a lighting scheme. Designers should ensure that the relevant local and national policies and guidance have been followed and a clear plan is submitted. Equally, planners need to understand how to interpret a light design to confirm compliance (Oakley, 2024).
Designers should follow ILP guidance on environmental impact assessments. While this does not quite cover the wider landscape impacts in terms of dark skies, the ILP guidance does provide sufficient information for designers to develop their assessments (Oakley, 2024).
It is very important to be realistic and prioritise the environment over other factors. This will ensure the right balance can be found and multiple requirements can be fulfilled. We have to understand that certain standards need to be met, not just for the aesthetic vision or solution to a safety challenge but also for the wider environment (Asfuroglu, 2024).
This can be achieved through a comprehensive lighting assessment and strategy, which complies with local plans where applicable and meets the five ROLAN principles (Tonkin, 2024; Yakushina, 2024), and will allow for the identification of potential impacts on local ecosystems and wildlife, informing mitigation strategies and design adjustments (Mazhar, 2024).
Conducting in-depth assessments of site characteristics and existing lighting conditions to inform strategic placement and intensity of fixtures has proven to be helpful in achieving successful Dark Sky lighting schemes (Mazhar, 2024).
Ensuring communication is clear across all parties is key and will help to find reductions across the board – whether this is colour temperature, light levels, and other factors (Asfuroglu, 2024). Through including all stakeholders in the conversation, it enables huge appreciation of lighting projects and enhances personal knowledge. It also allows them to be a part of the process as it affects their day to day. In the case of community lighting, they will feel heard and involved in the process, which will reduce resistance to the changes made in the public spaces (Asfuroglu, 2024).
Therefore, involving stakeholders early in the process to align design goals with community preferences and environmental stewardship, fosters support and compliance (Mazhar, 2024). Thankfully, governments and APPG groups are becoming increasingly aware of this which is a positive step forward for the wider environment and communities (Bissell, 2024).
Choosing fixtures with precise optics and full shielding to minimise upward light spillage and glare, will meet Dark Sky standards effectively. Furthermore, opting for warm-coloured LEDs with reduced blue wavelengths will mitigate disruption to nocturnal wildlife and preserve natural darkness (Mazhar, 2024). Additionally, the implementation of smart controls for dynamic adjustment of light levels based on environmental conditions and user needs, optimises energy efficiency while preserving darkness (Mazhar, 2024).
The biggest challenges faced when working towards meeting Dark Sky requirements
Balancing the needs of the environment and people will always be a challenge. These will be different for each person or group, as views and ethos understandably vary (Asfuroglu, 2024). Conducting comprehensive assessments to evaluate lighting's impact on wildlife and ecosystems is resource-intensive, with a need for standardized methodologies and data (Mazhar, 2024).
Finding the right solution can also be a challenge, alongside finding new ways to innovate to secure the best outcomes (Asfuroglu, 2024). Finding fixtures that meet Dark Sky criteria, such as being fully shielded and low in glare, is challenging due to insufficient manufacturer data on metrics like BUG ratings (Mazhar, 2024).
The same is true of finding existing software for calculating lighting parameters as some lack accuracy or compatibility with Dark Sky standards, hindering precise design and assessment (Mazhar, 2024). Furthermore, absence of meaningful national legislation presents a further challenge as it means the governance does not always exist (Tonkin, 2024). There is a lot of nuances and everyone is constantly learning throughout this process (Asfuroglu, 2024).
Choosing fixtures with precise optics and full shielding to minimise upward light spillage and glare helps meet Dark Sky standards effectively. Furthermore, opting for warm-coloured LEDs with reduced blue wavelengths will mitigate disruption to nocturnal wildlife and preserve natural darkness.
—Hiba Mazhar, Light Touch PLD
Another challenge is ensuring safety, although this is project dependent (Bissell, 2024). Adding to this, the government are concerned about public safety, but evidence shows decreased lighting increases visibility, for example, night vision cameras are negatively impacted if there is too much light as faces cannot be seen (Yakushina, 2024). Thus, contradicting the need for highly lit security areas such as car parks.
It is also difficult when a 3rd party contractor installs lighting but has not been part of the design process. In these cases, the lights can be installed incorrectly. This reiterates the need for lighting design and assessment to take place early in project planning. However, post certification conditions could be used to help overcome this (Oakley, 2024).
A challenge that needs to be overcome to secure success is navigating improved knowledge and application is the compliance of local regulations and addressing community concerns about changes in lighting practices. It can be very complex and requires extensive education and advocacy (Mazhar, 2024).
Linked to this, awareness and policy adoption can sometimes be a barrier. Lighting designers tend to up to date with these concepts as CPD on the issue is very good, but local authorities are lagging behind in adopting good policies. Many urban authorities don’t tend to consider light pollution due to the lack of dark skies in their immediate area (Oakley, 2024).
Thinking about technology, integrating advanced lighting technologies to minimize light pollution while maintaining effective illumination poses technical challenges that require specialized expertise (Mazhar, 2024). Using sensors to activate lighting in outdoor spaces will be a vast improvement to Dark Skies (Bissell, 2024), and therefore the impact on our environment and its communities.
About the authors
Andrew is a past president of the Society of Light and Lighting and a Partner at Ridge and Partners LLP. He has worked in lighting design since 1996, currently leading Ridge’s lighting design team. During his presidency, Andrew developed guidance to protect the night sky, supported early-career professionals, and raised the profile of lighting specialists within the construction industry. His projects span various sectors, focusing on improved design processes, enhanced environments for both people and wildlife, and reduced energy use and material waste. More recently, Andrew has contributed to large-scale Dark Sky initiatives in the UK and Saudi Arabia.
Kerem is the founder of Dark Source, an award-winning lighting design studio in the UK and Ireland guided by environmental principles. After earning an MA in Architectural Lighting Design from Wismar University in 2010, he spent 7.5 years at Speirs Major before establishing Dark Source in 2019. Named a Dark Sky Defender by Dark Sky International, Kerem has led projects such as the Plas Y Brenin Outdoor Centre, Presteigne Dark Sky Community, Newport Dark Sky Masterplan, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Clwydian Range & Dee Valley, and Dark Sky Planning Guidelines for Cumbria. His work highlights low-impact solutions that harmonise built environments with nature.
Yana is a lawyer, researcher, and dark sky protection educator currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Ghent under the Horizon EU PLAN-B project, where she also serves as one of the scientific coordinators. Yana specialises in light pollution regulations and space law, leading and contributing to international projects on the development of the protection of the nocturnal environment, and collaborating with various organisations, including the Space Court Foundation Inc., the EU Commission, DarkSky International, Starlight Foundation, the International Astronomical Union, and UNOOSA. In 2023, she co-founded the Belgian dark sky organisation Living Night (DarkSky Chapter).
Dan Oakley is a dark sky expert and founding director of Darkscape Consulting. He previously served as the Dark Sky Officer at the South Downs National Park Authority, overseeing the IDA International Dark Sky “Moore's” Reserve application and developing planning policies and technical guidance. Dan chairs the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) Places Committee and is a founding member of IDA-UK. He also established and coordinates the UK Dark Skies Partnership to reduce light pollution. With degrees in physics, wildlife management, and environmental policy, Dan has earned multiple accolades, including the IDA Dark Sky Defender award.
Hiba is an award-winning Architectural Lighting Designer based in Dubai, contributing to innovative lighting solutions for international public, urban, and interior projects with a focus on sustainability and dark sky practices. Recognised for her pioneering work, Hiba's research titled "Reimagining Traditional City Lighting with New Light Recipes to Confiscate Light Pollution" was presented at SLL CIBSE 2022, earning her a finalist position in the CIBSE Research Competition. Her research also highlighted the effects of city lighting on animals. Hiba’s accolades include the SIGNIFY Global Lighting Design Awards 2021 and an “Honourable Mention” in the LIT Awards 2022. By merging technical expertise with creative vision, she is redefining architectural lighting, championing designs that safeguard ecosystems and enhance urban landscapes.
Steve is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society who has authored numerous articles and books on practical astronomy. For over 40 years, he has taught astronomy to adults and children, sharing his passion through lectures, workshops, and hands-on sessions. He serves as the Dark Skies Advisor to both the Federation of Astronomical Societies and the International Dark Sky Reserve at Cranborne Chase National Landscape. In addition to speaking at astronomical societies in Britain and abroad, he regularly addresses Rotary, Probus, and U3A groups. Steve also writes a monthly column for BBC Sky at Night Magazine, reviewing equipment and literature.