Brighton: Plans to light St Nicholas Church slammed as 'appalling'

The proposal to illuminate St Nicholas Church in Dyke Road, Brighton, with LED lights was submitted by Brighton and Hove City Council. 

The Grade II* listed building has been a church in this form since the mid-14th century.

There will be 17 light fixtures, made up of five white lights and 12 red, green, blue, and white lights which can make a range of different colours. 

But environmentalist Steve Geliot said the scheme was appalling and the light pollution would affect both humans and wildlife.

A mock up of white lights on the church (Image: BHCC)

The plans were submitted by Liz Davies from the council's Cityparks team. 

In planning documents she said: "This application to install modern illumination will make use of new technology and controllable LED lighting systems not previously available to create a community beacon.

"It will enhance the façade, improve the setting, create a safer and more welcoming environment and connect the parish to its local community."

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The LED lights will allow the church to be lit in a range of different colours (Image: BHCC)

Bats fly over the parkland and are a protected species so the council carried out a bat survey to assess the impact of the light on the creatures. 

In the survey for the council by Arbtech Consulting it said: "Bats are very unlikely to be roosting within this building and tree and as such there are not anticipated to be any impacts on bats in this location as a result of the proposed development.

"However, bats are highly mobile creatures that switch roosts regularly and therefore the usage of a site by bats can change over a short period of time.

"The proposed development will include the use of lighting which could spill on to bat roosting, foraging or commuting habitat and deter bats from using these areas.

"Light spill will be reduced via the use of low-level lighting used in conjunction with hoods, cowls, louvres and shields. Lights will also be directional to ensure that light is directed to the intended areas only."

Steve, who lives in Brighton and co-founded the Save Our Starlings campaign, told The Argus he was sceptical about the bat survey. He said: "It's awful."

In a comment on the planning application, he added: "Installing this Benidorm-style disco lighting in a conservation area is an appalling idea and is not in keeping with this dignified, much-loved building, and its gorgeous setting.

"I am sceptical of the accuracy of the bat survey, and know from my scientific expertise on light pollution that this will be harmful to humans as well as wildlife."