Campaigners described themselves as frustrated today after Ministers rejected plans to make transport premises and prisons accountable for the light pollution they pump into the night sky. The Campaign to Protect Rural England had opposed the exemption of airports, harbours, railway premises, goods vehicle operating centres and prisons from lighting nuisance laws under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (2005).

The decision followed a recent Defra consultation which sought views on whether certain premises should remain exempt from Statutory Nuisance provisions that help local authorities control light pollution. Emma Marrington, Rural Policy Campaigner for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, says: “While we are pleased that the problem of light pollution has been recognised in recent planning reforms, it is frustrating that some of the biggest light polluters will remain exempt from lighting nuisance law.

“The Government’s priority must now be to encourage local authorities to take action to investigate fully any complaints they receive about lighting sources that are covered by current law and take enforcement action to tackle them. We hope Ministers will return to the matter of light pollution from transport premises and prisons in the future.”

In 2010, CPRE carried out a survey to find out how light pollution was affecting people’s lives. The survey revealed that only 27 per cent of people who reported a lighting nuisance to their local authority felt they got a supportive response. Some said their local authority had simply advised them to 'buy thicker curtains'.

Emma Marrington concluded: “Local Authorities must realise that light pollution is a serious issue and that they need to take the same responsibility for making sure the local night skies are as clear of unnecessary light as they do for keeping their areas clean and tidy.

“CPRE will work with Defra to improve guidance for local authorities but we also expect businesses to make an effort to cut their light waste. Ultimately we all stand to benefit from lower energy bills, a smaller carbon footprint and regaining spectacular views of the night sky.”