- All development proposals should be designed to minimise the occurrence of light pollution.
- Streetlighting should be avoided unless a significant safety issue has been identified.
- Safety and security lighting schemes should be kept to the minimum necessary to achieve its purpose. Where required such schemes will be permitted where they employ energy-efficient forms of lighting that project downward, can be turned off when not actively needed, reduce light scatter and comply with the current guidelines established for rural areas by the Institute of Lighting Professionals (ILP).
- Proposals for all development will be expected to demonstrate how they intended to prevent light pollution. Information on these measures must be submitted with applications, and where a development would potentially impact on light levels in the area, an appropriate lighting scheme will be secured by planning condition
- The design of new buildings should take into account the need to minimise light projected from windows and doors, particularly from skylights and large, unshielded expanses of windows.
This policy seeks to retain for the benefit of the local community and wildlife the existing dark skies which have traditionally characterised the parish. In general villagers are very much against the installation of artificial lighting as it would effectively change the character of the area and could lead to cases of anti-social behaviour, which is not currently a factor in village life. To date the lack of street lighting has not been the subject of a safety issue.
Sandleheath adjoins the south-eastern border of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, which is an International Dark Skies Reserves (2019). To support their Dark Skies designation, Sandleheath currently observes a similar dark skies approach, wherever possible, to prevent light pollution. This policy aims to minimise light pollution and protect the natural beauty of the night sky for stargazing and wildlife.
This policy will direct development proposals to demonstrate how they will conserve and enhance the intrinsic quality of dark night skies and that all opportunities to reduce light pollution have been taken to ensure the sky quality in the surrounding area is not negatively affected, for example through avoiding the use of outdoor lighting or if lighting is required, its justification and how its impacts will be mitigated.