For Hassle Free Lighting Impact Assessments (LIA) 

Why choose DFL for your Lighting Impact Assessment?

We bring more than just experience—we’re actively involved in shaping industry standards, serving on ILP committees and contributing to the guidelines followed by other lighting consultancies. We also collaborate closely with environmental consultants, ensuring a holistic approach to your project.

When you choose us, you’re not just getting a service; you’re getting a tailored solution. We understand that each project is unique, and we adapt our recommendations to meet your specific needs—not just to tick boxes. Our team provides clear, jargon-free advice and ongoing support throughout the process, including acting as expert witnesses in planning appeals if needed. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but with DFL, you can trust us to help get your plans approved with ease and confidence.

Ready to ensure your project moves forward smoothly with a professional Lighting Impact Assessment? Contact us today for expert advice and tailored solutions.

Contact us to collaborate on your next project!
street lighting

What is a Lighting Impact Assessment?

A Lighting Impact Assessment is a detailed evaluation of how artificial lighting from a proposed or existing development may affect the surrounding area. This includes analysing light pollution, glare, and the impact on both ecological and human receptors. 

Such assessments are essential for ensuring compliance with local and national planning policies, especially for developments near sensitive environments like conservation areas, wildlife habitats, and residential neighbourhoods.

We specialise in delivering professional lighting assessments that help guide your project smoothly through the planning process.

Types of Developments Requiring Lighting Impact Assessments

Certain developments, especially those involving significant outdoor or street lighting, are often required to submit a lighting impact assessment as part of their planning application. At DFL, we provide LIAs for the following types of projects:

Residential Developments: Particularly near conservation areas, listed buildings, or in areas with existing artificial lighting.

Commercial and Industrial Projects: Retail parks, office complexes, and industrial facilities with extensive outdoor lighting systems.

Sports Facilities: Including stadiums, golf courses, Tennis Courts, Padel Courts, MUGAs and sports pitches.

Infrastructure Projects: Roadways, bridges, and highway lighting installations.

Street Lighting and Motorway Lighting: Projects involving new street lighting, upgrades to existing systems, or motorway lighting installations aimed at improving road safety and reducing light pollution.

Healthcare and Educational Settings: Hospitals, schools, and university campuses.

Outdoor Recreational Spaces: Parks, playgrounds, and public amenities.

Sensitive Ecological Zones: Areas near bat habitats, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Area of Conservation (SACs)  or other ecologically sensitive regions.

By assessing how artificial lighting impacts these environments and proposing suitable mitigation measures, we help ensure that projects proceed without causing unnecessary light pollution or disrupting local ecosystems.

 For Hassle Free Lighting Impact Assessments (LIA) 

How can a Lighting Impact Assessment from DFL help avoid planning approval delays?

Picture this: you’ve just drawn up a shiny new proposal for an exciting project and sent the document over to the Local Planning Authority for approval. But they say no. It’s a situation nobody wants to be in, and you can avoid it by getting a lighting impact assessment from DFL. By assessing the environmental, ecological, and human impacts of your project’s lighting, we help ensure that your proposal meets all necessary regulations and guidelines, preventing unnecessary delays or rejections in the planning process.

Avoid Delays
Street lighting design plan

Our Lighting Impact Assessment Process

At DFL, we follow a structured approach to ensure that every lighting assessment we conduct is thorough, accurate, and aligned with the latest industry standards. Our process includes:

Initial consultation and desktop study

We begin by reviewing the proposed project plans and conducting a desktop study. This helps us identify key environmental and human receptors that may be affected by artificial lighting. We also assess existing lighting conditions in the area using aerial photography and mapping tools to create a baseline.

Baseline lighting survey

For a more detailed assessment, we may conduct an on-site survey to measure the existing light levels in the area. Using professional lux metres, our team records light levels at various points around the application site, at night when lighting has the most significant impact.

Environmental and ecological impact analysis

We evaluate how the proposed lighting will affect the environment, considering factors such as:

  • Light Pollution: Sky glow, light spill, and glare.
  • Impact on Wildlife: Especially nocturnal species such as bats, which are sensitive to artificial lighting.
  • Impact on Human Receptors: Nearby residential areas, businesses, and public spaces.

Lighting design and recommendations

Based on our findings, we develop a lighting strategy that minimises environmental disruption while ensuring that the development meets safety and operational requirements. Our recommendations may include adjustments to lighting placement, beam orientation, intensity, and timing (e.g., dimming at night).

What’s included in our comprehensive Lighting Impact Assessment reports?

We provide a detailed Lighting Impact Assessment Report ready for submission with your planning application. This report includes:

  • Baseline lighting conditions and lux measurements.
  • An evaluation of sensitive receptors and environmental zones.
  • Isolux contour maps showing how light spreads across the site and surrounding areas.
  • Mitigation strategies to reduce light pollution and prevent disturbance to local wildlife and residential areas.
  • A summary of compliance with relevant planning policies and standards, including:
    • Professional Lighting Guide PLG 04 – Guidance on Undertaking Environmental Lighting Impact Assessments
    • ILP GN01 – Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light
    • ILP GN08 – Bats and Artificial Lighting in the UK.
    • BS 5489-1 and BS EN 13201 – Road Lighting Standards
    • National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

LIA Standards and Guidelines

Our lighting assessments are designed to meet and exceed industry standards. We’re one of the UK’s largest independent lighting consultancies, and we do LIAs day in, day out (they’re kind of our thing!). Our experts are clued up on all the latest Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) guidelines and industry standards required to get the planning authorities on your side.

These guidelines help us ensure that all lighting designs are safe, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly.

Why Choose DFL for Your Lighting Impact Assessment?

We have years of experience providing lighting impact assessments for a wide range of sectors. Our expert team is committed to delivering high-quality assessments that support your planning applications and ensure that your project meets all environmental regulations.

Contact us today to discuss how we can assist with your lighting impact assessment needs. We are ready to provide tailored solutions to help your project proceed smoothly, from planning to construction.

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