DFL supported the project through expert lighting design, ensuring compliance, sustainability, and seamless integration with the wider masterplan.

The redevelopment will deliver up to 1,000 new homes alongside a retirement village, employment and commercial space, community facilities, a new primary school, sports pitches, landscaped public open spaces, and extensive walking and cycling routes. DFL’s design approach helped create a safe, efficient, and future-ready environment that supports both the residential and community-focused ambitions of the scheme while respecting the historic significance of the site.

One of the key challenges was ensuring that lighting design aligned with both planning requirements and ecological considerations. The site’s proximity to sensitive landscapes meant that poorly designed lighting could result in light spill, skyglow, and disruption to local wildlife. At the same time, the development required safe, well-lit access routes, road junctions, and public areas to meet highways adoption standards.

Additionally, the project demanded coordination across multiple infrastructure elements, including Section 38 road adoption designs, Section 278 highway works, roundabouts, and bridge structures. Each component required integrated electrical and lighting strategies that were both technically robust and compliant with local authority expectations.

The scale of the development also meant that multiple stakeholders were involved, increasing the need for clear, coordinated, and deliverable solutions that would satisfy planners, highways authorities, and the wider project team.

DFL brought a structured, technically precise, and forward-thinking approach to the Benthall Grange development, delivering a full suite of lighting and electrical design services tailored to the project’s complexity.

At the core of our involvement was the development of detailed lighting impact assessments. These assessments evaluated potential effects on the surrounding environment, ensuring that all proposed lighting schemes minimised obtrusive light while maintaining safety and usability. By carefully selecting luminaires, optimising column heights, and controlling light distribution, we achieved a balance between compliance and performance.

Our expertise in Section 38 and Section 278 design enabled us to produce adoptable highway lighting schemes that aligned with local authority standards. This included: • Road junction lighting layouts designed for visibility and safety • Roundabout illumination strategies that enhanced driver awareness without excessive brightness • Integration of energy-efficient lighting systems suitable for long-term maintenance and adoption

A particularly notable element of the project was the bridge lighting design. This required a tailored approach to ensure structural integration, visual consistency, and appropriate illumination levels. DFL developed a scheme that not only met technical requirements but also contributed positively to the aesthetic character of the development.

Throughout the project, we prioritised energy-efficient lighting solutions, incorporating modern LED technology and intelligent design principles. This ensured reduced energy consumption, lower operational costs, and alignment with sustainability goals. Collaboration was central to our success. We worked closely with the wider design team, ensuring that electrical infrastructure, lighting layouts, and highway designs were fully coordinated. This proactive approach minimised design conflicts, streamlined approvals, and supported a smoother planning process.

DFL’s involvement in the Benthall Grange development resulted in a cohesive, compliant, and high-performing lighting and electrical design package that supported the project’s progression through planning and delivery stages.

Our lighting impact assessments provided planners with confidence that environmental considerations had been thoroughly addressed. The carefully designed schemes minimised light pollution while maintaining safety, helping to secure approvals in a sensitive location.

The delivery of Section 38 and Section 278 designs ensured that all highway lighting infrastructure met adoptable standards, reducing risk for the developer and facilitating long-term handover to the local authority. Our integrated approach to road junctions, roundabouts, and bridge lighting contributed to a safe and visually consistent environment across the development. Importantly, our emphasis on energy-efficient lighting positioned the scheme for long-term sustainability, aligning with modern expectations for responsible development.

The project stands as a strong example of DFL’s ability to deliver innovative lighting design solutions within complex, multi-disciplinary developments. By combining technical expertise with a clear understanding of planning requirements, we added measurable value to the project and supported its successful progression.

We are proud to have collaborated alongside a range of respected organisations involved in bringing Benthall Grange to life, and we acknowledge the collective effort that made this redevelopment possible.