Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance her Department provides to local authorities on reducing light pollution. [103609]

Richard Benyon MP; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State: In 2006, DEFRA produced guidance for local authorities on meeting their duties in investigating complaints of artificial light, when it was added to the statutory nuisance regime. The booklet, which is available on the DEFRA website, includes guidance on reducing light pollution produced by non-Government organisations such as the Institution of Lighting Professionals' “Guidance on the Reduction of Obtrusive Lighting”.

Additionally, as per DEFRA's commitment in the 2011 Natural Environment White Paper to

“work with industry and other bodies to reduce the negative impacts of artificial light and protect existing dark areas”,

we have contributed text on minimising obtrusive light to the UK Lighting Board's highway lighting guidance for local authorities. The document, “Well-lit Highways”, can be found on the UK Lighting Board's website.

In 2011, DEFRA also carried out a review of 15 local authorities reduced street lighting initiatives aimed at reducing costs, carbon emissions and light pollution. It is hoped that the information contained within this report, which is also available on the DEFRA website, may inform local authorities who face similar economic and environmental challenges in the future.

DEFRA will continue its role of ensuring future relevant Government policy development suitably considers the impact of outdoor artificial lighting.