Agenda item

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Department of the Built Environment providing Members with an update on the implementation of the City’s innovative Lighting Strategy approved by the Court of Common Council in October 2018.

Officers drew Members’ attention to the significant savings now achieved in terms of both energy consumption and maintenance costs. They also highlighted proposals for further activities in 2021.

Members were informed of two night walks scheduled to take place later this month to view the work undertaken so far.

Members congratulated Officers on the work undertaken to date. The Chair highlighted that the City’s approach had attracted a lot of national and international interest.

A Member questioned whether there were any plans to introduce a limit on the number of square meters per PAR within offices in the City. Officers responded by stating that lighting guidance was already in place but that it was also important to educate and engage with developers on such matters at a very early stage to see real change here. The Policy and Performance Director added that internal lighting specifications were not controlled by planning powers but good practice could be encouraged through the measurement of energy performance as part of BREEAM sustainability assessments which were required to achieve a minimum rating of excellent.  The external lighting of buildings and light spillage to neighbours and the public realm were design policy considerations already addressed in the Local Plan. 

Another Member questioned whether Officers could do more to ensure that TfL worked with the City Corporation on programmes such as this to ensure a uniform approach o lighting across the City. Officers underlined that the aim was to develop a pan-London strategy alongside the GLA and other stakeholders, this could also be rolled out to other cities.

RESOLVED – That Members note the progress and next steps towards delivering the Lighting Strategy outlined in the report.