Policy information sourced from the Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan 2021-2038
LPRQD2: External Lighting.
1. Proposals for external lighting schemes will be permitted if they meet the following criteria:
- a. It is demonstrated by illuminance contour diagrams that the minimum number, intensity and height and timing of lighting necessary to achieve its locationally appropriate purpose is proposed;
- b. The design and specification of the lighting would minimise glare and light spillage and would not dazzle or distract drivers or pedestrians using nearby highways;
- c. The lighting scheme would not be visually detrimental to its immediate or wider setting, particularly intrinsically dark landscapes and would be of appropriate colour temperature for its location and ecological impact;
- d. The impact on wildlife and biodiversity is minimised through appropriate mitigations;
- e. Any development affecting protected species follows relevant specific guidance on lighting.
2. Lighting proposals that are within or are near enough to significantly affect areas of nature conservation and landscape importance, e.g., Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, National Nature Reserves, County Wildlife Sites, Local nature Sites, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances and need to take account of any specific guidance on lighting that is relevant to these identified sites.
For more information, please visit Maidstone’s Local Plan Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan 2021-2038