Tranquillity and dark skies checklist
Tranquillity and dark skies is a new, but important policy area for the Chilterns, aimed at protecting the peaceful nature of the region
The Chilterns National Landscape is a dark skies location and a tranquil place – a place where people can find peace, enjoy abundant wildlife, get back to nature, improve their wellbeing, and view the night sky in detail. Through your Neighbourhood Planning processes, you may deem these qualities to be typical of your area and wish to preserve or enhance them, or you may want to create these qualities in your community – whether through a reduction in light or noise pollution, or by creating natural spaces for all, there are plenty of opportunities to add to the peace of the Chilterns. Whatever you choose to do, the following steps will help you to assess your area and add to your plan and policies.
Steps to assess the tranquillity and dark skies of your area
- Consider a methodology for your tranquillity and dark skies assessment. Take a look at the existing information available, for example, CPRE provides tranquillity mapping and dark skies mapping resources on its website. It is also a good idea to consider the pressures on your local area, including housing needs, roads and transport requirements, and green spaces.
- Undertake your own local assessment. Refer to the Institute of Lighting Professionals Guidance Note 1 for the reduction of obtrusive light 2021. Plot the problems associated with light spill and glare into the rural environment, caused by technology (for example, the illumination of sports pitches) and by design and location (new development with large glazing, especially in the upper sections).
- Refer to Chilterns National Landscape’s Model Policy for Lighting. The Chilterns Conservation Board (CCB) (the public body established to conserve and enhance the Chilterns National Landscape) proposes to follow through with recommendation 6.4 of the Royal Commission(1) and actively support all dark skies initiatives and protections. Please feel free to discuss such protectives policies with the CCB.
- Consider some key principles for tranquillity. Refer to the various assessments and mapping developed by the CPRE. You may need to become familiar with the Institute of Lighting Professionals guidance on avoiding obtrusive lighting.
(1) “those responsible for the management of existing National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the equivalent National Scenic Areas in Scotland seek to eliminate unnecessary outdoor light and to better design and manage that which cannot be eliminated, and also that efforts are made to retain or create dark skies over urban areas so that people in major centres of population may have access to the night sky.”
Your checklist for tranquillity and dark skies
- Consider the issues and identify areas of local concern, particularly where there is light glare and spill.
- Examine your relevant CPRE Tranquility Map.
- Is a new policy needed? Will a new Neighbourhood Plan help? Check for any tensions with the existing Local Plan. This is a relatively new planning policy area and a Neighbourhood Plan policy here would carry real weight.
- Check your new policy will be ‘in general conformity’ with lighting and tranquility policies in the Local Plan (a necessary test for a Neighbourhood Plan).
- Consider positive policy wording to support the preservation and enhancement of tranquillity and dark skies – refer to CCB’s own Model Policy for Lighting in this regard.
- Consider the use of a lighting expert.
- Discuss these concerns and the emerging policy with the Council’s Neighbourhood Plans policy team/officer and with Chilterns National Landscape’s Planning Officer.
- Craft your draft policies for inclusion in the Neighbourhood Plan.
Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) Guidance Note 1 for the reduction of obtrusive light 2021
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