Sky glow is the orange glow seen over towns (caused by light travelling through the atmosphere being refracted or scattered by water droplets or particles (aerosols)).
Sky glare can be the dazzling effect which prevents the person from seeing properly at night.
Light trespass results when light shines from one property into another, where it is not wanted. All three of these are caused by poorly designed and excessive levels of lighting.

All three of these forms of light pollution affect the South West and they are all caused by poorly designed lighting schemes and excessive levels of lighting.

Light pollution can be detrimental to humans and wildlife, such as insects, nocturnal mammals, plants and birds in the following the ways:

Sky glow, creating an orange glow can have a serious affect on the ability of astronomers as well as the general public to see the stars.
Increased lighting at night affects flying patterns and can prevent mammals from using their established foraging areas
Plants can cease to flower or flower prematurely if the night is shorter and breeding can occur prematurely in birds.

Light pollution January 2007 survey

Fewer and fewer people are able to see the natural wonder of a star filled night sky. This is the conclusion of a survey run by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the British Astronomical Association’s Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS).

CPRE and CfDS asked people to count the number of stars they could see within the constellation of Orion – one of the most easily identified in the night sky – then tell us the number, along with the location of their observation. In a truly dark sky about 50 stars might be visible to the naked eye within this constellation.

The results confirmed that light pollution, caused by badly-designed, inefficient outdoor lighting, is blotting out the stars across much of the country and for most of the population.

Nearly 2,000 people took part in the star count. Only 2% of people who responded to our online survey said they could see more than 30 stars, compared to 54% who saw fewer than 10 stars in Orion – a level which indicates severe light pollution. Not surprisingly, the fewest stars tended to be seen in the more built up, developed areas where there is most outdoor lighting.

Many people in rural areas were surprised at how few stars they actually saw, given that someone with good eyesight somewhere free of light pollution should see about 50 stars within Orion on a moonless, clear night. Light pollution can spread deep into the countryside from towns and cities. The two main causes of this pollution were poorly directed security floodlighting and sky glow from distant towns, mostly caused by street lighting.

Orion as seen from a location with low light pollution

Orion seen with low light pollution

Orion as seen from a location with high light pollution

Orion seen with high light pollution

Source: CPRE / CfDS (2007)

CPRE and the Campaign for Dark Skies hope to repeat the star count in future years. We want to build up a picture of the light pollution people experience across the country and monitor change, supplementing the mapping work both organisations have carried out.

Light pollution mapping

Although the region remains one of the least light-polluted regions of the country. The various measurements of light pollution indicate that it has increased in the South West by almost one-fifth between 1993 and 2000 (see the maps below), with Wiltshire increasing by a quarter (CPRE, 2003). Devon remains as one of the largest expanse of dark skies in the whole country, predominantly on Exmoor and Dartmoor.

Light pollution maps: South West in 1993 and 2000

(click to enlarge)

Source: CPRE

Full details on light pollution, including further maps, advice on what you can do to reduce the problem and action underway, is available on the CPRE website.

(click images to enlarge)

Light pollution visible on earth at night

source: Nasa

Light pollution visible in Europe at night

source: Nasa

Light pollution in the UK in the early 1990s

source: NOAA / NGD

Light pollution in the UK in 2000

source: NSRC Ltd / Science Photographic Laboratory

Noise

What is Noise pollution?

Noise is the most pervasive environmental pollutant of the modern world. While sound is essential to our daily lives, noise - often defined as unwanted sound - is not. Noise can be extremely disruptive, causing annoyance, stress which can lead to illness, sleep disturbance and interference with communication. At very high levels, noise can damage hearing and even lead to hearing loss. Different types of noise also have different effects, for example, intermittent noises are more disruptive than continuous sound, and low frequency noise can be disturbing for some people. Evidence suggests that high levels of "ambient" noise may disrupt the ability of children to concentrate, affecting learning abilities.

More information about the sources of noise pollution is available here.

Noise complaints in the South West

The annual survey carried out by the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health (CIEH) for 2002 / 2003 shows the breakdown of noise complaints for the South West. This survey breaks down the region into the South West (Cornwall, Devon and Dorset) and the Western region (Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Swindon, South Gloucestershire, City of Bristol, North Somerset and Bath and North east Somerset). See graphs below :

South West noise complaints

Of particular interest when analysing these sub-regional differences is that you are more likely to register a complaint about noise if you live in the western part of the region. In the more rural counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, a total of 8,270 complaints about noise were received by local authorities in 2002 / 2003, compared to 13,960 in the south western part of the region (a difference of 41%). This follows the findings of the Neighbour Noise Survey, in that areas of high density housing such as cities and more industrial areas are at most risk of unacceptable noise.

People living in the South Western part of the region are:

32% less likely to make a complaint about industrial noise
18% less likely to make a complaint about commercial / leisure noise (although there are 14% more complaints per million population)
47% less likely to make a complaint about domestic noise
35% less likely to make a complaint about construction / demolition noise

Following national trends, domestic noise is the most common form of noise complaints with construction / demolition receiving the least.

Noise complaints in the South West part of the region (Cornwall, Devon and Dorset): 2002 / 2003

(Click to enlarge)

Source: Chartered Institute of Environmental Health by personal communication (2004)

Noise complaints in the Western part of the region (Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Swindon, South Gloucestershire, City of Bristol, North Somerset and Bath and North east Somerset): 2002 / 2003

(click to enlarge)

Source: Chartered Institute of Environmental Health by personal communication (2004)

(caveat: this data is compiled from an annual survey of local authorities, response to which is voluntary. For the 2002 / 2003 80% of local authorities responded from within the South Western part of the region (Cornwall, Devon and Dorset) and 95% from within the Western part (Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Swindon, South Gloucestershire, City of Bristol, North Somerset and Bath and North east Somerset). More information about these caveats can be found on the Defra website - noise pages.

Motor vehicle noise

Noise relating to motor vehicles is collected annually and trends are available for the last 15 years.

The South West has a relatively high number of noise offences relating to motor vehicles, consistently ranking in the top 4 regions. The total number of offences throughout the English regions has declined significantly since 1986.

Although the number of offences in the South West has declined by almost three-quarters (from 1,230 offences in 1986 to 449 in 2001), it was beaten by only the South East and the North West in terms of the highest number of offences in 2001.

Noise offences relating to motor vehicles: 1986, 1991, 1996 & 2001

(click to enlarge)

Source: Home Office, 2004

Neighbourhood noise strategy

84% of respondents to the 'Towards a National Ambient Noise Strategy' consultation supported more action to tackle neighbourhood noise. Following the consultation on the Government's strategy to tackle ambient noise, Defra has undertaken the development of a Neighbourhood Noise Strategy.

Defra aim to publish a Neighbourhood Noise Strategy in 2008, with a number of consultations in the process.

The Neighbourhood Noise Strategy is being developed in consultation with a steering group. The steering group involves three groups of participants: a stakeholder group with experience of noise issues and campaigning; an expert group familiar with the enforcement and technical issues; and a Government group, with knowledge of legislation and Government policy affecting noise issues

The Neighbourhood Noise Strategy will look at ways to improve neighbourhood and neighbour noise management at national, regional and local level by, among other things:

Measuring the incidence and impact of neighbourhood and neighbour noise problems;
To commission, oversee, review and guide the implementation of the outcomes of research into neighbourhood and neighbour noise;
Reviewing existing statutory provisions;
Considering the need for new statutory provisions;
Developing new statutory provisions where gaps are identified;
Identifying and developing existing and new non-statutory initiatives and programmes; and
Reviewing the neighbourhood noise enforcement practices and performance of the relevant authorities in England and Wales, and to identify opportunities and mechanisms for improvement.

Noise Mapping

A noise map is a study which shows, usually graphically, the expected noise levels in an area from particular sources, such as roads, railways, aircraft and large industrial units. The map is usually produced by a combination of direct measurements and computer modelling. The computer uses the measurements along with data concerning various aspects, such as traffic levels, building locations and heights, aircraft movements, etc. to produce the map. More information on noise mapping is available on the Defra noise and nuisance web pages.

In early 2002, the government undertook a consultation on its proposal, announced in the Rural White Paper 2000 to develop an Ambient Noise Strategy in England. The strategy is due to be developed by 2007.

Noise mapping logo The noise mapping project is part of the first stage of the development of the National Ambient Noise Strategy (NANS). It also addresses the requirements of the Rural White Paper.

The project aims to gather information on the ambient noise climate in England. In simple terms, this means determining the number of people affected by different levels of ambient noise, the source of that noise and the locations of the people affected.

As from May 2008, people in 23 urban areas can now see a snapshot of noise levels in their neighbourhoods thanks to a ground breaking initiative. The new maps show the level of environmental noise from major industries, road and rail networks in 23 urban areas across England, including Bristol & Bournemouth in the South West:

Bristol	Bournemouth	Birkenhead	Blackpool	Brighton
Coventry	Hull	Leicester	Liverpool	London
Manchester	Nottingham	Portsmouth	Preston	Reading
Sheffield	Southampton	Southend	Teeside	The Potteries
Tyneside	West Midlands	West Yorkshire

The information will be used to draw up action plans to reduce unreasonable levels of noise, where practical. In urban areas these will also include measures to protect designated quiet areas.

You are able to search by postcode to access maps that show noise levels over an average 24 hour period, as well as during night time hours only. The site also includes information on the number of people exposed to these levels of noise. Under the EU Environmental Noise Directive all member states must produce maps.

Impact of noise on health

The World Health Organisation lists the impacts of noise on health as:

Hearing impairment
Speech intelligibility (when noise prevents us from being heard or understood)
Sleep disturbance
Physiological functions (such as hypertension)
Mental illness (in terms of accelerating or intensifying mental disorders)
Performance
Social & behavioural problems (including annoyance and increased aggressive behaviour)

Guideline values for community noise in specific environments are set by the World Health Organisation, key guidelines include:

During the day-time (7:00am - 11:00pm), outdoor noise levels of 50 dB should not be exceed in order to prevent people from becoming 'moderately annoyed'.
At night (11:00pm - 7:00am), noise should not exceed 30 dB LAeq to allow undisturbed sleep

Sources of Noise Pollution

Noise pollution can arise from many sources, as detailed in the table below:

Sources of noise pollution

Noise source	Description
Ambient / environmental noise	The main source of ambient noise is transport - road, rail and air - of which road is, in the majority of places, by far the biggest source: Road noise is made up of two main components - tyre noise and engine noise. At high speeds, the noise the tyres make on the road is the greatest source. At low speeds, engine noise is more important. In heavy goods vehicles, body noise made by rattling panels or loads can also be significant. Aircraft noise is a particular problem around airports, but with increasing numbers of flights, it is being heard further and further away by people living under flight paths. Noise from individual aircraft is decreasing as quieter technologies are introduced, but the increasing frequency of flights means that overall the noise problem is getting worse. Railway noise affects fewer people and is generally thought to be less of a problem than other ambient sources. However, if more high speed rail links are developed, the problems associated with rail noise could increase. The main factors in determining the level of rail noise are the type of engine, speed and track quality.
Neighbourhood noise	Effects are confined to a small area. For example, noise from a club or other entertainment venue, or from a small factory or building site, could be classified as neighbourhood noise. The individual sources of neighbourhood noise are usually easier to identify and so take action on.
Neighbour or domestic noise .	This type of noise affects the smallest number of people, but can be the most annoying. The most common neighbour noise complaints are about loud music and dogs barking. Other noises, such as burglar alarms, loud televisions, shouting, banging doors, and DIY work are also common sources.
Noise Nuisance	A nuisance is often difficult to establish but, generally speaking, if something is unreasonable to the average person, a court might decide it is a statutory nuisance. Noise nuisance is covered by Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990(EPA). This law empowers local authorities to deal with noise from fixed premises (including land) if they consider that the noise amounts to a statutory nuisance. Proceedings may be taken against noise from factories, shops, pubs, dwellings and stationary vehicles.
Noise in the Street	The Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 makes noise in the street a statutory nuisance. Traffic noise, noise made by military forces, or from campaigning demonstrations is excluded. The following are included: Vehicles - noise emitted from a vehicle, caused by it or by car repairs, car radios, car alarms and parked refrigerator vehicles. Loudspeakers - the use of loudspeakers in the streets is banned between 9.00 pm and 8.00 am (the police, ambulance and fire brigade are exempt). Local authorities can license use outside these hours - e.g. for entertainment but not for advertising purposes or electioneering. Vehicles selling perishable foods may use loudspeakers between 12.00 noon and 7.00 pm and these times can be varied with local authority consent. Complaints about loudspeakers or chimes should be made to the environmental health department. Burglar Alarms - there are proposals to give local authorities powers to control alarms, but dates for implementation have not yet been decided. Under the London Local Authorities Act 1991 local authorities may prosecute owners or occupiers of buildings whose alarms cause annoyance to people in the vicinity.
Night Time Noise	The Noise Act 1996 gives local authorities the option of imposing restrictions on noise emitted from dwellings between the hours of 11pm and 7am. If an environmental health officer is satisfied that noise exceeds the permitted level, the offender may be fined. An authorised officer can enter the dwelling to confiscate noise making equipment. The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 amends the Noise Act 1996 and enables all local authorities in England and Wales to use the night-time noise provisions without first having to adopt them.
Fireworks	Recently fireworks have become an increasing noise problem for people and pets. They are let off not only for traditional celebrations such as Bonfire Night, New Year and Diwali, but year round to mark public and private celebrations. Under the Fireworks Act 2003, there are new regulations aiming to reduce noise, nuisance and injuries caused by fireworks. The Fireworks Regulations 2003 prohibit anyone under 18 from possessing a firework, and anyone except fireworks professionals from possessing display fireworks. It is planned that the new regulationswill be in force in good time for Bonfire Night 2004. Some sources of noise nuisance are restricted by bye-laws enforced by the local authority, but an individual may also prosecute. Sources covered include noisy animals, loud music, model aircraft, fireworks and sea side pleasure boats.
Aviation Noise - UK controls on aircraft noise	The Department for Transport has overall responsibility for the control of aircraft noise in the UK. The Civil Aviation Act 1982 (CAA) s.76 states that no action for trespass or nuisance can be taken as long as an aircraft observes the rules of the Air and Air Traffic Control Regulations - which also cover ground movements. This principle dates from 1920 when aircraft were exempted from nuisance legislation to protect a small growing industry. The White Paper, "A New Deal For Transport", published in July 1998 set out proposals to help airports to enforce noise mitigation measures. The Air Traffic Control Regulations 1985 cover rules as to flight. In general, aircraft or helicopters may not fly over a town below 1500 feet above the highest object and within 2000 feet of it. Air traffic control prescribes landing and take off routes which are intended to minimise noise over built up areas. Aircraft are also prohibited from flying within 500 feet of persons, vessels, vehicles or structures.

Source: NSCA, 2004

High hedgerows

Plants, and in particular leylandii, can also cause environmental nuisance when they are invasive or cause problems to humans surrounding them and hedgerows are a prime example. Although existing legislation entitles people to cut overhanging branches back to the property line, it does nothing to restrict hedgerow height.

Changes to the Anti-social Behaviour Bill will give local authorities the power to intervene in high hedge disputes that neighbours are unable to resolve. Under the new legislation local authorities could issue formal notices instructing the reduction of a hedge's height and its long-term maintenance. Failure to comply with a formal notice could result in a fine of up to £1000.

Under the new proposals a complaint could be submitted if:

the hedge in question comprised wholly or predominantly of a line of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs;
it was over 2 metres high;
the hedge acted to some degree as a barrier to light or access; and
if it was adversely affecting the complainant's reasonable enjoyment of their home or garden because of its height.

The new High Hedges legislation, often referred to as the “ Leylandii legislation” is expected to be operational towards the end of 2004. Provision has been made in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, for a new procedure to be created for dealing with complaints about high hedges in England and Wales.

The advice given is that it is best to settle these disputes amicably but where negotiation fails, local authorities will be able to review the case acting as an impartial and independent third party. If the local authority thinks there is sufficient justification, it will be able to order the owner to reduce the height of the hedge. However, there is no general requirement that all hedges should be kept below a certain height.

Background and progress on this legislation is available on the website of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

A new report has been published (24th May 2005) to provide guidance for local authorities on how to process complaints made about neighbouring high hedges.

High hedgerow complaints: prevention and cure provides better information is important but – especially in new developments – good design, planning conditions and restrictive covenants can play a part. And local authorities, housebuilders, landscape architects and contractors, growers and retailers all have a role.

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Environmental nuisance

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Light pollution

Light pollution January 2007 survey

Orion as seen from a location with low light pollution

Orion as seen from a location with high light pollution

Light pollution mapping

Light pollution maps: South West in 1993 and 2000

Light pollution visible on earth at night

Light pollution visible in Europe at night

Light pollution in the UK in the early 1990s

Light pollution in the UK in 2000

Noise

What is Noise pollution?

Noise complaints in the South West

South West noise complaints

Noise complaints in the South West part of the region (Cornwall, Devon and Dorset): 2002 / 2003

Noise complaints in the Western part of the region (Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Swindon, South Gloucestershire, City of Bristol, North Somerset and Bath and North east Somerset): 2002 / 2003

Motor vehicle noise

Noise offences relating to motor vehicles: 1986, 1991, 1996 & 2001

Neighbourhood noise strategy

Noise Mapping

Impact of noise on health

Sources of Noise Pollution

Sources of noise pollution

Noise source

Description

High hedgerows