Dorset Council Launches Public Consultation on Street Lighting Strategy

Dorset Council is inviting residents, businesses, and stakeholders to have their say on proposed changes to its street lighting and illuminated signs policy.

The public consultation will run from Monday 24th March to Sunday 4th May 2025, as part of a wider review of the county’s street lighting infrastructure.

The council is considering a range of updates to improve night-time safety, lower energy use, and advance its environmental and climate objectives.

Towards Smarter, Greener Street Lighting

Introduced in 2020, Dorset Council’s current policy emphasises the transition from outdated sodium lighting to energy-efficient LED technology. These modern systems offer energy savings of up to 60%, aligning closely with the council’s carbon reduction targets. However, public feedback has highlighted a mixed reception—particularly regarding the cooler, whiter hue of LED lighting, compared to the warmer tones of the former sodium lamps.

What’s Changing?

The consultation explores several potential amendments to the existing policy, which governs the installation, maintenance, and operation of street lighting across the public highway network. Key proposals under review include:

• Adopting lower correlated colour temperature (CCT) LED lighting, which offers a warmer glow and may be more acceptable in residential areas and environmentally sensitive locations.

• Refining the environmental zoning framework, used to assess where and what type of lighting should be deployed.

• Introducing further dimming measures in low-traffic residential zones during late-night hours.

These proposed changes reflect Dorset Council’s broader commitments to environmental protection, public health, community safety, and cost-efficiency.

Street Lighting and the Environment

Environmental impact remains a core consideration in lighting policy decisions. Dorset’s zoning system plays a vital role in determining whether lighting is needed, and if so, how it should be implemented. The council applies a four-tier zoning model:

• Zone 1: Dark Sky Areas, World Heritage Sites, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

• Zone 2: Low-density rural locations

• Zone 3: Medium/high-density urban areas

• Zone 4: Urban centres with significant night-time activity

This framework helps balance functional lighting with preservation of the natural nightscape, particularly in ecologically sensitive and low-light zones.

Empowering Local Communities

Since 2011, part-night lighting—where streetlights are turned off between midnight and 5.30am—has been implemented in low-use areas. The council is considering expanding this approach while enabling town and parish councils to fund bespoke lighting solutions tailored to their communities’ needs.

Cllr Jon Andrews, Cabinet Member for Place Services, commented:

“We want people’s views on the potential changes. This feedback will help us shape a street lighting policy that not only enhances safety and reduces energy consumption but also respects our environment and the lives of local communities.”

“We will be preparing a new street lighting policy, taking a Dorset-specific approach that considers modern technological advancements, health and wellbeing, Dorset’s unique environment, our climate ambitions, and recognised best practice.”

Have Your Say

The council encourages all stakeholders to take part in the consultation and help inform the future of Dorset’s street lighting. Responses will directly contribute to the updated policy due later in 2025.

Complete the survey online at the Dorset Council website before 4 May 2025.