Consultation on ‘Planning for Dark Night Skies: Supplementary Planning Guidance for lighting

Denbighshire County Council in partnership with Flintshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are seeking views on a draft supplementary planning guidance note (SPG) for lighting in the AONB. This will provide advice and guidance for developers and others on good lighting design in the AONB.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Chair of the AONB Joint Committee, said: “The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB is one of Wales’ most cherished landscapes. The area enjoys some of the darkest skies in Wales and provides opportunities to experience the wonders of a dark night sky. The SPG will help to conserve and enhance this special quality by raising awareness of the issue and promoting dark sky friendly lighting design.  We want to know what you think, and I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation process and to have their say on the draft SPG before the deadline on August 9th.”

The AONB is designated as a landscape of national importance and the primary purpose is to conserve and enhance its natural beauty. One of the recognised special qualities of the AONB is its tranquil nature, which includes the opportunity to experience dark night skies. The AONB has some of the darkest skies in Wales and the draft SPG seeks to conserve and enhance this special quality by providing guidance for developers and others on dark sky friendly lighting design. When approved by each of the Local Planning Authorities the SPG will be a material planning consideration in determining planning applications and appeals.

The three Local Planning Authorities and the AONB are keen to hear from a wide range of statutory and non-statutory organisations, town and community councils, voluntary groups and the general public as well as local planning consultants and agents.

The document can be viewed on the AONB website and hard copies are available for inspection at Denbighshire’s public libraries.

Comments should be sent to Denbighshire County Council who are coordinating the consultation on behalf of the three Local Planning Authorities. Comments can be submitted via the Denbighshire Consultation Portal, by e-mail to: clwydianrangeaonb@denbighshire.gov.uk or in writing to Huw Rees, Countryside and Heritage Services Manager, Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, PO BOX 62, Ruthin LL15 9AZ.

Some of the language regarding how local planning authorities should apply the SPG was questioned and subsequently updated to allow the guidance to be applied more flexibly according to the size of application and type of site/building.

Undertaking consultation has resulted in a clearer, more useable document which will further protect the AONB as part of the planning process.