Artificial Light Nuisance

The PPP would always want to encourage neighbour’s to talk with one another if artificial light is causing annoyance. However, where this is not possible, the service may be able to look into complaints about artificial light from premises if the light could be classed as a ‘statutory nuisance’ (covered by the Environmental Protection Act 1990).

For the artificial light to count as a statutory nuisance it must do one of the following:

unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises or
injure health or be likely to injure health

If its concluded after investigation that a statutory nuisance is happening, has happened or will happen in the future, councils must serve an abatement notice. This requires whoever’s responsible to stop or restrict the light. The notice will usually be served on the person responsible but can also be served on the owner or occupier of the premises.

For mediation support contact see here for more details.

Not all lighting is covered under this legislation. For more information on what sort of complaints can be investigated, and how they can be resolved please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/artificial-light-nuisances-how-councils-deal-with-complaints

If you still require advice, contact us on 01635 503242 or use our online from here or email ehadvice@westberks.gov.uk