Duncan Wise Visitor Development & Marketing Manager

Northumberland National Park Authority (Member of the International Dark Sky Association

Dark Sky Places Committee)

This presentation will: 1. highlight Northumberland’s unique status as having

the most pristine dark skies in England

2. explain how astro-tourism benefits the rural visitor economy

3. highlight the continuing threat from excessive light pollution

4. explain how light pollution can be minimised with good planning guidance and promotion of good practice in the installation of outside lighting, including street lighting.

• IDA awarded designation in 2013

• 1400Km2

• Northumberland National Park and 70% of Kielder Water & Forest Park

• England’s 1st IDSP

• Europe’s largest IDSP

• Gold Tier IDSP

“The most accurate picture of how much light is spilling up into Britain's night sky”

Northumberland comes out top with 72% of its skies in the darkest category (2016)

85% of the UK population

has never seen a truly dark sky.

Less than 2% has seen the Milky Way!

“All generations and cultures have looked up and wondered at the stars...Unless they live in remote areas, young people may grow up without ever seeing a truly dark starry sky- and that’s a real deprivation”

Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal

“A game changer for rural tourism in Northumberland”

Kielder Observatory continues to see record numbers of visitors since the designation and subsequent coverage on Tales from Northumberland with Robson Green

20th-23rd October 2015

"Had a fantastic holiday in this beautiful

comfortable cottage. Must visit – NT Cragside.

Craster (Jolly Fisherman food excellent). Drive

up the Coquet Valley for stunning views across

to Scotland. This has been a fantastic holiday

for 'stargazing'. Thank you Sue for making our

holiday such a huge success.

Joan, Rodger, Margaret and Les, Sheffield

6th November 2015

"What a wonderful time we have had in your

cosy cottage. All the extra touches made it very

special and added to our enjoyment. Our one

night stargazing was memorable and will stick

with us forever! Thank you for your warm

welcome! X"

Nicky, Andy and Ann, Birmingham

Autumn/Winter campaign to be repeated in 2016/17

£1 Billion is the estimated cost of wasted light in the UK.

Light pollution also disrupts nocturnal wildlife and affects our health and wellbeing

Hexham

http://nightblight.cpre.org.uk/maps

Taken at 1.30 AM in September 2015

The good news is that light pollution, unlike many other forms of pollution, is reversible, and it doesn’t mean we have to stumble around in the dark! 1) Only install outside lighting when and where it is needed (If

safety is a concern, install motion detector lights and timers) 2) Ensure all outdoor lights are not too bright (Avoid the

piercing blue-white LED lights, go for warmer-white LEDs) 3) Ensure all outdoor lights are fully shielded (to shine

downwards and avoid upward glare)

NPPF Para 125. By encouraging good design, planning policies and decisions should limit the impact of light pollution from artificial light on local amenity, intrinsically dark landscapes and nature conservation

• Northumberland International Dark Sky Park Lighting Master Plan (Joint advisory document for NCC & NNPA for NIDSP)

• Northumberland National Park Management Plan (Policy 19)

• NCC Northumberland Core Strategy (Draft Policy 11 Rural Tourism iv) do not compromise Northumberland’s dark skies)

Planning Policies

Please use the new CPRE Maps http://nightblight.cpre.org.uk/maps

Taken at 1.30 AM in September 2015

Promote Good Practice

Promote Good Practice

R T

Promote Good Practice

Promote Good Practice

Greenhaugh First School in Northumberland National Park

Opening in Summer 2017

Recommendations:

1. Use the CPRE Night Blight maps

2. Use existing, and strengthen planning policies to minimise light pollution on new developments

3. Promote good practice in the design and installation of outside lighting on new developments

Thank you! duncan.wise@nnpa.org.uk Tel: 01434 611521