Presteigne & Norton become first Community in Wales to be designated as an International Dark Sky Community
Photo: Buzz Drones Ltd
On the 11th January 2024 Presteigne and Norton became the first community in Wales to be designated as an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International.
This achievement represents a unique collaboration between the local community, Presteigne and Norton Town Council, Powys County Council, and Dark Source Lighting Design Studio to pursue a dark sky ambition by tackling light pollution. The Community covers an outer area of 40 square kilometres and a combined population of 2,700.
Lighting tests
The local community and project group worked hard to ensure the two communities complied with the requirements to meet the International Dark Sky Community criteria. Comprehensive lighting tests were carried out, and community feedback was vigorously sought throughout the project.
Emissions reduction
The project has reduced the area’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by about 4.5 tonnes CO2 e/year, and this has been facilitated by the extension of the scheme into a nearby industrial estate under the jurisdiction of the Welsh Government, so that the lighting character is consistent across the town.
The success of this lighting project has prompted Powys County Council to consider rolling similar schemes out across the county, thereby empowering many other communities to pursue dark skies accreditation if they so choose. This is a wonderful ripple effect for the continuity of dark skies across Powys and Wales.
Presteigne & Norton Dark Skies Community Leader Leigh-Harling Bowen said “We are delighted by the outcome of Presteigne’s and Norton’s application to DarkSky International to become a Dark Sky Community! Without the dedicated and coordinated support of both Presteigne and Norton Town Council and Powys County Council, it would never have happened. The Community has worked tenaciously over the last six years to highlight the benefits of becoming a dark sky community to all stakeholders. These benefits include an investment in the use of efficient, low-energy ‘dark skies’ streetlights that have reduced our impact on the environment. This change has resulted in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, along with a beneficial effect on wildlife, especially night-flying insects, birds, and bats. The reduction in light pollution has also enabled us to see the glory of the night sky clearly, a legacy that our children and grandchildren will continue to enjoy”.
Mayor of Presteigne & Norton Town Council, Cllr Beverley Baynham added, “Presteigne & Norton Town Council have been pleased to work closely with Powys County Council and Dark Source Lighting to become a Dark Sky Community. It has taken several years to reach this milestone achievement, but I am sure all the hard work has been worth it and the community are already seeing the benefits. We now have intelligent lighting that has seen all our streetlights turned back on but with bulbs that are compliant with Dark Skies. This will benefit both residents living in the community and the environment. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible”.
“Powys County Council’s highways team has been working hard throughout the county to make improvements and efficiencies to our street lighting. By working with local communities and wildlife groups, we are making great progress in reducing both light pollution and carbon emissions. In particular, we are making sure that lights don’t adversely affect bat routes or otter feeding areas and specifically use a colour temperature of 2200K for our lanterns so they are nature-friendly and dark sky compliant. We are delighted that we have been able to help Presteigne and Norton achieve dark sky community status, a first in Wales and England, and hope that other local communities will follow suit and champion dark skies in the future,” said Cllr Jackie Charlton, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys.
Dark sky advocacy
In the future, Presteigne and Norton will continue their hard work by focusing on improving private, industrial, and festive lighting whilst organizing community events to broaden the value of dark skies. Presteigne and Norton Dark Sky Community now joins more than 200 places worldwide that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting www.darksky.org/conservation/idsp .
Presteigne & Norton Town Council: presteigneandnortontc@outlook.com
Leigh Harling-Bowen, Presteigne Dark Skies Group: presteignedarksky@gmail.com
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