Excessive lighting can damage the rural character of our parish and can be a nuisance to neighbours.

​The Parish Council supports the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s stance on light pollution and at its request Breckland Council includes the CPRE Light Pollution Clause outdoor lighting guidelines in the condition of new planning applications in the parish.

​The Parish Council would like to ask all residents to ensure that their outdoor lighting is not causing unnecessary light pollution or nuisance to others. 

​You can find a great deal of information about dark skies, light pollution and lighting guidance on the national CPRE, CPRE Night Blight and Norfolk CPRE websites.

CPRE’s View

CPRE believes that darkness at night is one of the key characteristics of rural areas and it represents a major difference between what is rural and what is urban.

What is Light Pollution?

Light pollution is a generic term referring to artificial light which shines where it is neither wanted nor needed.

​How You Can Help Limit Light Pollution

​The main light pollution problem we have in the parish is external lighting which is not on motion sensors and so is on unnecessarily at all times. Please ensure all your external lights are on motion sensors or only on when necessary. 

Do Outside Lights Deter Burglars?

​CPRE recommend that:

​– All outdoor lights are fully shielded (enclosed in ‘full cut-off flat glass’ fitments so that no glass is visible beneath the lamp’s cover) and directed downwards (mounted horizontally to the ground and not tilted upwards).​

– Outdoor lights are switched on only when needed (avoid ‘dusk to dawn’ lamps and use ‘PIR’ movement sensor lights or time switches instead).

​– White light low-energy lamps are used (LED or fluorescent). Avoid orange or pink sodium lights which have an urbanising effect and are less energy efficient.​

– Outdoor lights are only installed if really needed (the best way to prevent light pollution is to avoid the use of any outdoor lights).