Lighting Assessment – Braunton Community College

Commissioned by Lee West Associates, ACCON UK carried out an independent lighting appraisal in line with the requirements of Devon County Council in respect of lighting pollution concerns from proposed flood-lit tennis courts at Braunton School and Community College.

Light pollution and lighting issues affect the environment and the wider community; therefore it is becoming more important to ensure that lighting is addressed in the preparation and review
of planning applications associated with outdoor lighting.

The proposed location for the tennis courts was adjacent to existing flood-lit tennis courts; the Council’s main concern was the increased lighting impact on two nearby residential properties.

Following the Devon Council, ILE Guidance Note and Lawn Tennis Association criteria we considered the impact on local amenity; a detailed modelling exercise was carried out using Calculux software and the manufacturer’s photometric data to replicate the lighting contours achieved by other lighting consultants.

The average court surface illuminance, light overspill and vertical illuminance were calculated and the impact was compared to the appropriate Environmental Zone.