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Dark Skies
14 December 2020
Lead MP
Andrew Griffith
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
TaxationHousingTransportLocal Government
Other Contributors: 2
At a Glance
Andrew Griffith raised concerns about dark skies in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs highlighted the importance of preserving dark skies in his constituency, which includes the South Downs national park, an international dark sky reserve since 2016. He emphasised the impact of light pollution on astronomy, health, nature, the environment, and the economy, advocating for a designated Minister to oversee policies related to dark skies, expanded language in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) regarding avoiding light pollution, conducting dark sky impact assessments, and developing standards through a statutory commission. The MP also discussed over-development in rural areas as an exacerbating factor and called for local authorities to have more effective methods of addressing light nuisance.
James Sunderland
Con
Bracknell
The hon. Member highlighted the economic benefits of dark skies tourism, noting that protecting natural landscapes can contribute significantly to local economies.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
The hon. Gentleman emphasised the need for a brownfield-first policy in addressing housing needs and advocated against over-development in rural areas, suggesting that building environmentally friendly tall buildings in urban centres would be more sustainable.
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the importance of preserving dark skies and congratulated Andrew Griffith on his efforts. He noted the Government's recognition of light pollution issues and their impact on wildlife, health, and energy wastage. The Minister highlighted ongoing work to address these concerns through planning reforms and the national planning policy framework (NPPF), which includes measures to limit the effect of light pollution on local amenity, dark landscapes, and nature conservation. He also mentioned initiatives by Highways England to replace old lighting with LED units, and stressed the need for careful consideration when balancing road safety and avoiding light pollution. The Minister assured that the Government will continue working with stakeholders to protect natural environments.
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Assessment & feedback
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.