Agenda item

Report of the Director of Planning and Development.

The Committee received a report of the Director Planning and Development Director concerning a new Lighting Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which provided guidance for developers on lighting buildings and the spaces between them and would help developers meet the requirements of the Development Plan policies which related to lighting.

The Officer stated that the Lighting SPD was understood to be the first of its kind in the UK. It provided guidance and technical requirements for new development. It covered design, delivery, operation and maintenance of artificial light within the City. The SPD also included the Considerate Lighting Charter which existing buildings would be encouraged to sign up to. The SPD had been prepared by a lighting consultant with input from Officers across the Corporation.

The Officer stated that in November 2022, the Committee approved a public consultation exercise for the Lighting SPD which ran from December 2022 to February 2023. The consultation was widely publicised in the press. A comprehensive engagement strategy was undertaken for the public consultation and included residents, workers, consultants and other relevant stakeholders. There were three events including a lighting walking tour around key parts of the City. Following consultation, a further workshop took place with lighting industry professionals. A wide range of responses were received to the consultation and the main issues and responses were summarised in Appendix 2 to the report.

Members were informed that the resident groups consulted included the Barbican Association, Brandon Mews House Group, Gilbert House Group Tenants Association and the Willoughby House Group. In addition, a significant number of technical consultants, lighting designers and businesses responded to the consultation. The responses were broadly supportive and the main issues were around the impact of residential amenity, technical requirements, the assessment of impacts, implementation of the SPD, the Charter and the impacts on sustainability, biodiversity and heritage.

The Officer stated that the responses informed the final SPD and following the consultation, changes were made to all sections of the documents including the planning process, the guidance and the technical requirements. Tables 10-12 in the SPD were amended to align more closely with established Institute of Lighting Professional (ILP) guidance. In order to protect amenity and respond to the unique City context, the proposed levels and zones were adapted from those included in the ILP guidance and were considered appropriate in the context of the Charter. Members were informed that Officers would work with colleagues to promote this through appropriate channels including working with Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).

In response to a question from a Member about ways in which existing businesses could be encouraged to amend behaviours, the Chairman stated that Members could encourage businesses in their wards to change their behaviours in relation to lighting. Also, there had been much media attention on the matter and this should help to drive good behaviour from existing operators.

An Officer stated that a series of promotional activities was being developed, working with organisations such as the BIDs, who worked with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and organisations such as the City Property Association.

A Member stated that the Lighting Charter concept originated from Farringdon Within where there were a number of large offices surrounding a residential enclave. In order to reduce light flowing into residential properties, Members encouraged building managers to work together. This idea had them formed the basis for the Charter.

The Chairman thanked Mr Edwards and Deputy Bottomley for the work they had done on the Lighting SPD. Officers were also thanked for their work on this.

RESOLVED – That Members approve the adoption of the Lighting Supplementary Planning Document.