New Street Lighting Policy

September 9, 2025 Cabinet (Cabinet collective) Key decision Approved View on council website

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Summary

...to adopt a new street lighting policy that includes environmental zoning, recommendations for dimming, the use of lower correlated colour temperature (CCT) LEDs in new streetlights, and an agreement to work with the street lighting service provider to replace outdated lanterns in exchange for a share of energy savings.

Full council record
Purpose

Improvements
in lighting technology mean more options are available for our LED replacement
of streetlights. The new paper will seek agreement on the type of lighting to
be used within our policy.

 

Content

(a)   
That the
Street Lighting Policy for new and replacement lighting in Dorset be adopted.

The policy includes the new
environmental zoning, recommendations for dimming and the use of lower
correlated colour temperature (CCT) LEDs in new streetlights, with the CCT
typically not exceeding 2700K. The policy also enables town and parish councils
to fund additional costs if there is a local preference for alternative
equipment such as brackets, columns and lanterns.

 

(b)   
Cabinet
agreed to work with the street lighting service provider, who plans to invest
in replacing 18,500 outdated lanterns over the next two or three years at no
cost to the council.  In return, the
service provider will receive 75% of the energy savings until their contract
ends in 2032.

 

Reason for the decision

 

Limiting colour temperatures for new and replacement street lighting in
Dorset would bring health, ecological and dark sky benefits. The policy took a Dorset
specific approach to street lighting that balances modern technological       advancements, health and wellbeing, Dorset’s
unique environment, our climate ambitions and recognised best practice.

 

Related Meeting

Cabinet - Tuesday, 9th September, 2025 6.30 pm on September 9, 2025

Supporting Documents

Cabinet Street Lighting 090925 Report.pdf
Appendix 1 Street Lighting Policy 2025 draft.pdf
Final Street Lighting Policy.pdf

Details

OutcomeRecommendations Approved
Decision date9 Sep 2025
Subject to call-inYes