St Nicholas of Myra, on the junction of Church Street and Dyke Road, Brighton, was built in the 14th century and the land it is built on was even included in the 1085 Domesday book.
Now, Brighton and Hove City Council wants to install 17 LED lighting fixtures which will “make use of new technology and controllable systems not previously available”.
It has submitted a planning application which says: “We want to create a community beacon, enhance the façade, improve the setting, create a safer and more welcoming environment and connect the parish to its local community.
“With modern smart-controlled LED lighting it was considered appropriate to both illuminate and potentially add colour to the church for differing festivals or occasions without affecting either light pollution or spill the previous sodium floodlight systems would have caused.
“Additionally, we have sought the advice of qualified ecologists to ensure that the proposed design takes the environmental context and specialist recommendations into account.
A survey has assessed the potential impact on bats (Image: BHCC)
“For example, the light wavelengths of the proposed design conform to the recommendation of minimal blue or ultraviolet light, of reduced light spill with shielding and pre-programmed timings to reduce night-time light pollution.”
A survey was conducted to study the impact the plans could have on any bats in the area.
It said: “Bats are very unlikely to be roosting within this building and trees 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 of a short period of time.
READ MORE: Historic Brighton garden temple transformed into coffee shop
“Any bats that begin using the building or tree during the intervening period between the surveys being undertaken and works commencing could be disturbed and abandon their roost.
“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.”
The report recommends installing bat boxes three to five metres above ground level in a south or south westerly direction.
Source link
[Featured]
[Just In]
