Located within rural North Oxfordshire, within a small valley and a nearby protected river, this was treated as a dark sky area. A four-dwelling development, a “lighting design strategy for biodiversity” was required before occupation. The site was previously used as farm buildings.
We were brought on board by the architects Richard Court Design LTD, to work alongside planning consultants JPPC Charted Town Planners, to survey the existing site and plan an exterior lighting strategy. Ecologist Windrush Ecology, had reported that bats could commute and roost within the site and surrounding area. The planned lighting must not disturb the wildlife and biodiversity.
We provided the client with a full lighting strategy that would be sensitive to the surrounding wildlife, whilst providing safe and functional illumination for the residents and users of the new dwellings. This included an Isolux contour map showing light spillage down to 1LUX, a schedule of lighting equipment, and control guidance.
The new scheme would provide a safe, welcoming environment for the premises – this satisfied the condition for lighting for biodiversity within the original planning consent.