Issue - meetings

The following question has been submitted by a member of the public.  A written answer to the questions will be published on a supplementary agenda.

Question from Mr Jim Borcherds

“At the recent Council debate on cycle path lighting concerns about wildlife and dark skies were mentioned.  What principles has the Council got in place for new and existing external lighting on buildings and structures in the town with respect to wildlife and dark skies?”

Question from Mr Jim Borcherds

The Council noted that a response to the question submitted by Mr Borcherds regarding the principles the Council had in place for new and existing external lighting on buildings and structures in the town with respect to wildlife and dark skies had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

Mr Borcherds was present at the meeting and he asked the following supplementary question:

“In view of the amount of unnecessary lighting both in the Stevenage Bus Interchange and the new Railway Station Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP), can SBC urgently produce a Strategy document on lighting across the town so that the correct lighting can be installed in the right places, cutting light pollution whilst at the same time enabling people to move about safely?”

The Portfolio Holder for Environment & Performance (Councillor Simon Speller) replied that he would ask officers to look at the lighting levels at the Bus Interchange and new Railway Station MSCP.  He commented that lighting standards should be applied on all planning applications, with the strategy document overseeing such matters being the Stevenage Local Plan.  He offered to invite Mr Borcherds to a meeting with him, the Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation) and the Engineering Services Manager to discuss the matter in more detail.

Question from Mr Jim Borcherds

The Council noted that a response to the question submitted by Mr Borcherds regarding the principles the Council had in place for new and existing external lighting on buildings and structures in the town with respect to wildlife and dark skies had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

Mr Borcherds was present at the meeting and he asked the following supplementary question:

“In view of the amount of unnecessary lighting both in the Stevenage Bus Interchange and the new Railway Station Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP), can SBC urgently produce a Strategy document on lighting across the town so that the correct lighting can be installed in the right places, cutting light pollution whilst at the same time enabling people to move about safely?”

The Portfolio Holder for Environment & Performance (Councillor Simon Speller) replied that he would ask officers to look at the lighting levels at the Bus Interchange and new Railway Station MSCP.  He commented that lighting standards should be applied on all planning applications, with the strategy document overseeing such matters being the Stevenage Local Plan.  He offered to invite Mr Borcherds to a meeting with him, the Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation) and the Engineering Services Manager to discuss the matter in more detail.