New bat and wildlife-friendly lighting has been installed in St Ann’s Well Gardens in Hove.
The new low energy shielded warm lights in the park’s central pathway are set to come on at dusk and switch off at 8pm to cut out light pollution and protect biodiversity in the park.
The lighting upgrade is part of the improvements we’re carrying out in the park in collaboration with the Friends of St Ann’s group.
Options for replacing the previous lighting bollards were agreed with the friends group, businesses in the park, local councillors, Police Community Support Officers and a biodiversity expert.
The low-level lighting the bollards provided had benefitted wildlife on the park, but was not so good for people using the park.
It was agreed the new more energy efficient lighting will provide a better balance of improving the experience and safety with improved lighting when the park is busy, while switching off early maintains the benefits to wildlife.
The timing of the lights was also a key factor in the discussions.
It was agreed the lights would switch off at 8pm due to the implications artificial lighting has on wildlife at night, especially protected species such as bats which we are keen to protect. Evening is an active time for wildlife.
Councillor Jamie Lloyd, Deputy Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee, said:
“I’d like to thank the Friends of St Ann’s Well Gardens, the park businesses and everyone else for their input into the design of the new lighting in St Ann’s Well Gardens.
“The lighting has been designed to offer a better public use of the park during the busy dark hours, while maintaining a home for local wildlife.
“Light pollution has devastating and wide-ranging environmental impacts.
“It’s great that the lighting means the park offers a place for wildlife including insects, birds and bats which need dark habitats to thrive.”
How you can help…
The Royal Horticultural Society has advice on what residents can do to help minimise the impact of lighting on wildlife in their gardens and outside areas.
You can also read more about Brighton & Hove’s local biodiversity habitats and species.
