OBTRUSIVE LIGHT SPILL ASSESSMENTS
Controlling Excessive or Misdirected Light
Uncontrolled or poorly directed lighting can have significant impacts on surrounding environments, residents, and wildlife. At Molloy Consulting Engineers, we carry out detailed Obtrusive Light Spill Assessments to ensure that your lighting scheme complies with planning conditions, environmental standards, and best practice for light control.
We support:
- UK-based design teams working on cross-border projects
- Developers and planning consultants seeking planning permission
- Architects and engineers working on housing, commercial or sports projects
- Local authorities reviewing lighting proposals
- Clubs and facility managers responding to neighbour concerns or ecological requirements
Why Light Spill Matters
Excessive or misdirected light can:
- Disrupt residential amenity and sleep cycles
- Affect local wildlife and protected species
- Cause unnecessary skyglow or glare
- Lead to objections, planning refusals, or legal complaints
Our assessments help you avoid these issues and demonstrate that your lighting scheme is environmentally responsible and planning-compliant.
What We Provide
Using professional lighting software and calibrated design tools, we:
- Create a 3D lighting model of your site
- Analyse horizontal and vertical illuminance beyond the site boundary
- Map out light spill onto neighbouring properties, roads, or sensitive habitats
- Assess and recommend shielding, aiming, or dimming solutions if required
- Produce a detailed technical report suitable for planning submissions or appeals
We can also simulate changes in lighting over time, assess different luminaire types, or compare day vs night-time scenarios to support your case.
Standards & Guidelines We Work To
Our assessments are carried out in line with:
- ILP Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light (GN01:2021)
- BS EN 13201 and BS 5489-1:2020 for road and area lighting
- CIE 150 – Technical Report on Light Pollution
- Local planning authority conditions and mitigation requirements
- Ecological reports and bat-sensitive design practices where relevant
Common Applications
- Housing and mixed-use developments near existing dwellings
- Sports pitch floodlighting with residential boundaries
- Commercial car parks and yard lighting assessments
- Retrofitting older lighting systems to reduce glare and spill
- Ecologically sensitive sites where light control is essential
Whether you’re responding to a planning condition, facing a complaint, or just aiming to build a more considerate scheme, our Obtrusive Light Spill Assessments will give you the clarity and compliance you need.
