Application - International Dark Sky Places

Transcription

Brecon Beacons International Dark Sky Reserve Application
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Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. National Parks in the UK
3. Introduction to the Brecon Beacons National Park
4. The Problem of Light Pollution
5. Countering Light Pollution
6. Commitment Statements and Letters of Support
6.1.
Patrons and Sponsors
6.2.
Brecon Beacons National Park
6.3.
Supporters and Partner Organisations
7. The Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Initiative’s Anti Light Pollution Strategy
8. Planning and Funding
9. The Proposed IDSR
9.1.
Core Zone
9.2.
Critical Buffer Zones
9.3.
Buffer Zone
9.4.
External Zone
10. The Night Sky Quality Survey
10.1.
Findings
10.2.
Conclusions
11. The External Lighting Audit
11.1.
Core Zone
11.2.
Critical Buffer Zones
11.3.
Buffer Zone
11.4.
External Zone
11.5.
Summary of findings
12. Lighting Management
13. Communication and Collaboration
13.1.
Media Coverage and Publicity
13.2.
Business Collaboration
13.3.
Education and Events
13.4.
National (Wales) and Local Government
13.5.
Agency and Club Partnership Working
13.6.
Other Outreach and Promotional Activity
13.7.
Volunteer and Staff Training Programme
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14. Lighting Improvements
14.1.
Problem Areas within the Core and Critical Buffer Zones
14.2.
Street Lighting
14.3.
Summary
15. The Future
Appendices
A: IDSR Eligibility
B: IDSR Requirements
C: Sky Quality Tiers
D: Terminology
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1.0 Executive Summary
This application is to the International Dark-Sky Association for the status of
International Dark Sky Reserve for the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority is committed to the protection
and conservation of all aspects of the environment, including the night sky, and
as such supports the mission and goals of the IDA.
The Authority believes that achieving IDSR status for the BBNP will raise the profile of the
Light Pollution issue in Wales and will assist in gaining support for countering this problem
from the general public, business, and politicians.
The Brecon Beacons National Park is one of 15 National Parks in the UK and is located in
south Wales. It contains the only truly dark skies in south Wales and provides excellent
night sky experience opportunities to people living in the most heavily populated area of
Wales which lies immediately south of its boundary. The growth of these centres of
population is a threat to the quality of the night sky of the Park, and as a result the Park has
been active in addressing the issue of light pollution and mitigating its adverse effects since
2010.
The Brecon Beacons Dark Sky initiative, a joint project between the Brecon Beacons Park
Authority and the Brecon Beacons Park Society was set up with the objectives  combat the growing encroachment of light pollution into the Brecon Beacons
National Park and the surrounding area
 mitigate the adverse effects of this pollution,
 raise awareness and understanding of this special quality of the National Park.
These objectives are to be achieved through a strategy of engagement with local
communities, government bodies, and concerned organisations to form multiple
partnerships to raise awareness of, and help address the issue of light pollution.
We have received support from Prince Charles (the Prince of Wales), the Minister of the
Environment, VisitBritain, the Campaign for National Parks and many other individuals,
communities and organisations, and have collaborated closely with the University of
Glamorgan, Dark Sky Wales, local Astronomy associations, and lighting managers in local
government.
The Night Sky Quality survey gave evidence of the high quality of the night sky in the Brecon
Beacons, especially remarkable as the Park itself has a population of 33,000 within its
boundaries and there over 1,000,000 people living only a few miles to the south of the Park.
The Lighting Audit assessed over 300 properties (964 light fittings) and produced findings in
line with the IDA’s IDSR criteria. Plans are in place, and in operation, to improve on these
results, in particular £1.4 million has been approved recently by one of our local councils to
make improvements to street lighting.
The Brecon Beacons Dark Sky initiative has received considerable media coverage in local
newspapers, digital media and the BBC and ITV.
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It has also been very well supported by communities in the Park with Star Parties being
organised by villages and local businesses appreciating the commercial opportunities that
dark skies bring.
Our Education and Outreach programmes have access to over 2,000 school children and a
further 3,500 young adults through outdoor activity centres.
A five year rolling plan for the on going safeguarding of our night skies is in place.
The approach that the BBNP has taken is to use the criteria for IDSR status as guidelines for
good practice on light pollution, but we also hope that in so doing we will gain recognition
from the IDA.
Jim Wilson
Brecon Beacons Park Society
Ruth Coulthard
Brecon Beacons National Park Authority
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2.0 National Parks in the United Kingdom
The Brecon Beacons National Park is one of 15 National
Parks in the United Kingdom (UK). Despite the
world’s first National Parks being created under the
US National Parks Bill by the petitions of Scotsman
John Muir in 1890, the UK’s National Parks were not
founded until 1949 when the UK government
published the National Parks and Access to the
Countryside Act. Each of the UK’s National Parks is
governed by a National Park Authority (NPA). These
are independent government institutions and although
separate, all are bound with the same two statutory
purposes of the National Park Authorities, as defined
in the 1995 Environment Act.
These are to conserve and enhance the natural
beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park and
promote opportunities for the enjoyment and
understanding of its special qualities. The Act also
gives the National Park Authorities a duty to “seek
to foster the economic and social well being” of
their local communities “without incurring significant
expenditure in doing so”.
In addition, NPAs also take over responsibility for
enforcing UK planning laws and granting planning
permission for developments within the National
Park. UK planning laws are set at a National level so
the NPA can only enforce these, rather than set their own, however, the each local
authority can create its own Local Development Plan which sets out areas and parameters
for development. These are enforced by Supplementary Planning Guidance which strongly
encourages any building development in the National Park to follow these guidelines.
The Authority also has a responsibility for producing an overarching strategy for the whole
area called the National Park Management Plan. This document lays out the whole area’s 20year strategy and 5-year actions by and for everyone delivering its purposes and duty, or
concerned about the Park’s future.
Each NPA is governed by a board of members – board members are appointed from the
Local Government Councils that cover the National Park Area and also include specially
appointed members direct from National Government.
The board members act as advocates of the National Park Authority making decisions and
oversee performance through participation in Authority meetings, committees, advisory
groups and working groups, applying the principles of National Parks and sustainable
development to all decision making.
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3.0 The Brecon Beacons National Park
Fig 3.1 Image of the Central Beacons
Our National Park was established
in 1957 and contains over 520
square miles of stunning landscapes,
abundant wildlife and some of the
UK’s finest cultural heritage dating
from the Bronze Age through to
playing a key role in the birth of
the industrial revolution. The Park
area stretches right from the
English border over to the remote
and Welsh speaking edge of
Western Wales and from the
Cambrian Mountains down to the
industrial landscape of South Wales
as can be seen from the map on the
following page.
Some key facts about our National Park:
 The National Park covers 520 square miles with four distinct mountain ranges.
 There are 1,983 kilometres or 1,232 miles of public rights of way - that’s about the
length of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia!
 Four of the five longest cave systems in the UK are in the National Park.
 The National Park has 268 scheduled ancient monuments spanning 7000 years of
human history.
 There are about 5300 kilometres of hedgerows - that’s roughly the length of
Denmark’s coastline!
 The Park is the main stronghold of Welsh Mountain Ponies and contains over 70% of
Wales’ limestone pavement
 The greatest collection of waterfalls in one small area in the UK is found within the
Brecon Beacons and is home to some of the UKs’ rarest mosses and ferns.
 Britain’s largest breeding population of Lesser Horseshoe Bats live here.
The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority
The Park Authority is governed by 24
members: 16 appointed by Local
Councils and 8 appointed by the
National Government for Wales.
Nine Local Councils have
responsibilities for parts of the 520
square miles of the National Park.
The Authority is funded directly by
the Welsh Government and levys
from each Local Council. The map
to the left illustrates the local council
areas.
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The NPA is currently developing the Local Development Plan which will set out
development policies for the area. It also published its National Park Management Plan in
2010 – which provides the framework from which park management and guiding principles
are taken. The importance of Dark Skies are stated within both documents. See section 5.2
for further details.
Settlements within the Park
Unlike National Parks in the USA, there are many people who live and work within National
Parks in the UK. In the Brecon Beacons there are several key settlements within the
National Park boundary including Brecon, Crickhowell, Gilwern and Hay which account for
46% of the Park’s 33,000 residents. These centres of population are all outside the Core and
Critical Buffer zones (see Section 9) but still affect the night sky in these areas.
The largest settlements are shown below:
 Brecon 7901
 Crickhowell 2065
 Gilwern 2320
 Hay-on-Wye 1469
 Talgarth 1233
In addition, there are several large towns and conurbations found just outside the National
Park including the larger market towns of Abergavenny, Llandovery and Llandeilo which
present significant development pressure on the boundary.
Land Ownership
Also unlike United States National Parks, the UK’s National Parks are not wholly in public
ownership. Much of the land in the BBNBP (70%) is owned privately by either individual
residents or by commercial businesses. Only 30% is owned by public bodies and just 13.5%
of the land is owned by the NPA. The land owned by other public bodies includes 7.7% by
the Forestry Commission, 4.2% by Welsh Water, 3.7% by the National Trust and 0.8% by
the Countryside Council for Wales.
Public Access
The Brecon Beacons is blessed
with having over 1,200 miles of
rights of way. This network of
paths, covering a wide area of the
National Park, give all members
of the public a right to walk and
on some routes ride horses and
bicycles. These routes are shown
on the map to the right.
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In addition, one of the unique features of the Brecon Beacons National Park is that 35% of
the land is common land. In these areas not only do local residents have ancient rights
either to graze animals and / or collect materials such as gorse and hay for their own use,
the public have a right to wander over these commons as part of the Countryside and
Access Rights of Way Act. Most of the upland areas of the core zone fall under this
category which means
that access to the best
sites to stargaze in the
core zone are freely
accessible to all. Much
of the land owned by
the Forestry
Commission is also
freely accessible to the
public. Both areas of
land are shown on the
map to the left.
The special features of the Brecon Beacons National Park
As mentioned previously to become a National Park, an area has to demonstrate it has
some of the UK’s finest landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage. The key features which can
be found in the Brecon Beacons are set out below.
Landscape
The Brecon Beacons National Park has a wide diversity of landscapes and four distinct
mountain ranges:
 The Black Mountain (Mynydd Du) (the most westerly range of hills), including two
dramatic glacial lakes at the foot of steep scarp slopes - Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y
Fan Fawr.
 The Great Forest (Fforest Fawr) where upland streams flow into three rivers (Nedd,
Hepste and Mellte) that themselves flow into the River Neath and thence into
Swansea Bay. These streams and rivers cut through spectacular scenery of gorges,
waterfalls and cliffs in our “Waterfalls area”.
 The Brecon Beacons (the hill range that lend their name to this National Park)
dominate the skyline south
of the town of Brecon.
Their summit, Pen y Fan, is
the highest hill in southern
Britain (886m).
 The Black Mountains (the
most easterly range of hills)
form the border between
Wales and England.
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In the east of the Park, towards the English Border, lie the Black Mountains with a high point
of 811m at Waun Fach. The area is characterised by lowland fertile valleys and small market
towns and villages. In the centre of the Park, dominating the skyline beyond the town of
Brecon, are the Brecon Beacons proper. A distinctive north-facing escarpment rising to
886m at Pen y Fan, the highest point in southern Britain. Skirting the Beacons is the Usk
Valley where the neatly hedged green fields contrast with the windswept moorland of the
hills above.
To the west of the Beacons lies the third
sandstone massif – Fforest Fawr. The most
westerly block of sandstone is Y Mynydd Du,
the Black Mountain. A fine escarpment rises
from the floor of the Tawe Valley reaching a
height of 802m at Fan Brycheiniog and is still
one of the UK’s few true wilderness areas.
Two glacial lakes – Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y
Fan Fawr – are evidence that ice shaped this
dramatic landscape.
The Old Red Sandstone rock exposures vary in
colour from red to a light grey-green. Along the southern edge of the National Park the
geology alters, and outcrops of limestone and Millstone Grit occur. The limestone scenery is
very different from that of the Old Red Sandstone. The Upper Swansea Valley and the
Llangattock hillside are famous for their cave systems which are amogst the largest in
Europe and cavers come from all over Britain to explore them. The Millstone Grit produces
a tough, rather sombre landscape which is often waterlogged. It is in this gritstone scenery
that one of the UKs foremost collection of waterfalls are found.
In addition to the National Park designation, the western half of the Park was in 2005
awarded European Geopark status, a designation sanctioned by UNESCO (the same body
responsible for designating World Heritage Sites). This is known as the Fforest Fawr
Geopark and is the first European Geopark in Wales. The award was given in recognition of
the area’s scientific quality, stunning landscapes, educational value and historical and cultural
interest.
The geology tells the story of ancient climate
change, mountain building and sea level
changes. The main objective of the European
Geopark Network is local economic
development based on geo-tourism in local
communities. The rocks and landscapes of
Fforest Fawr Geopark record over five million
years of Earth history
History
The landscape of the Brecon Beacons National Park is very much a product of human
intervention stretching back over many thousands of years.
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During the Stone Age and Bronze age hunter-gatherers cut down scrub to create small
grassland areas to encourage grazing animals for hunting and later farming. By the close of
the Bronze Age, significant forest clearances had occurred.
During the Iron Age, Celtic peoples settled in the area erecting hill-forts impressive
evidence of which remains today. They also
brought with them their mythology with its
connections to the night sky (see the Celtic
Mythology section below)
The area was later conquered by the
Romans and Normans – many castles and
land use are still in evidence today.
The Middle Ages saw the consolidation of
the Norman manorial system, that was later
affected by the cataclysmic episodes such as
the Black Death and the Glyndwr Revolt.
From the end of the fifteenth century
onwards industries began to be set up in and
around the Park area –such as ironmaking, charcoal burning, limestone extraction and coal
mining.
The area in the South and East of the Park was very much a part of the birth of the
Industrial Revolution and a World Heritage Site has been designated near Blaenavon. Much
evidence of this industrial legacy remains today. More recently there have been many
profound changes: urban expansion, road building, construction of reservoirs, erection of
power lines, planting of large conifer plantations and changes to agricultural practices are
some examples. However, now due to the National Park designation many of the most
wild, remote and tranquil areas of the National Park are being conserved and restored with
only very sympathetic development permitted.
Celtic Mythology
Perseus or Llew Llaw
Stories and myths were encapsulated into the
everyday lives of ancient peoples throughout
the world, giving them a sense of purpose and
binding them closer to the natural world
around them. Celtic mythology and traditional
stories of the night sky are interwoven with
events, symbols, literature and cultural
trappings which are very much a part of life in
Britain today. In ancient times Wales was a
Celtic country whose mythologies were an
integral part of life and evolved over time into
Wales’s own unique cultural history.
In winter one of the dominant constellations is
Perseus, located in some of the brightest portions of the winter Milky Way.
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Celtic traditions associate this constellation with the god Lugh (Llew Llaw in Welsh).
According to Celtic calendar traditions, Lugh is the sun god who dies as the nights get
longer after the summer solstice. A traditional feast in his honour was held on Lughnasahd
or “Lammas” day on the first of August, a day marked in the old Celtic pictographic calendar
with a bow-and-arrow shape. As Lugh was the primary god representing the red sun, his
name in common parlance would have been “Coch Rhi Ben” anglicised to “Cock Robin” - a
leftover from the belief that souls became birds after death. This idea is still sustained in the
old folk song “Who Killed Cock Robin” in which the sparrow kills him with “my bow and
arrow”, the sparrow here representing Bran, the god of winter.
One of the constellations commonly connected with Perseus in Greek legend is Pegasus, the
winged horse. To the Celts this was the horse of Llyr, the sea god, a beautiful white beast
that figured in many Celtic myths and still has marine associations (we call the whitecaps of
waves whitehorses). In the Mabinogion, the collection of Welsh folk tales that are a mixture of
Celtic oral traditions and medieval recordings, Rhiannon, the bride of Pwll the Lord of
Dyfed, is the rider of the white horse. In nursery rhymes ladies also ride white horses as in
Banbury Cross with its association with bells and rings referring to ancient tales of fertility
and licentiousness.
The most obvious constellation of the winter sky is Orion the hunter, otherwise known as
Cernunnos in Celtic mythology. The role of Orion in British folk tales is played out by
Herne the Hunter but in Celtic mythology he becomes Mabon, the deity of the winter sun.
The constellation of Gemini is seen by the Celts not as twins but as two men battling over
the love of a woman. They are Gwyn and Gwyrthur, the sons of Greidawl who seek the
hand of the lady in red, Creudyladd. This story has become synonymous with Sir Gawain
and the Green Knight in Arthurian legend and is referred to in the folk song, “Green grow
the rushes oh”. This song was
popular with American soldiers in
the American/Mexican war of 1846
and may have given rise to the
term “Gringo” which is now Latin
slang for Americans in general.
Celtic mythology, with its
connections to the night sky, has
been an important element of
culture in Wales since time
immemorial and remains so to the
present day.
The annual National Eisteddfod is
the pinnacle of the Welsh cultural
calendar attracting typically
160,000 people. It is a celebration
of Welsh language and Welshness through music, dance and poetry.
The Wesh bard Lewis Glyn Cothi writes of a monster (afrac) in Llangorse lake (Llynn
Syfaddon) in the BBNP:
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Yr avanc er ei ovyn
Wyv yn llech ar vin y llyn;
O don Llyn Syfaddon vo
Ni thynwyd ban aeth yno:
Ni’m tyn men nag ychain gwaith,
Oddiyma heddyw ymaith.
The afanc am I, who, sought for, bides
In hiding on the edge of the lake;
Out of the waters of Syfaddon Mere
Was be not drawn, once he got there.
So with me: nor wain nor oxen wont to toil
Me to-day will draw from here forth.
The Eisteddfod features many mythological tales and songs with connection to the night sky
helping to preserve and evolve that facet of Welsh cultural history.
Wildlife
The Brecon Beacons National Park supports a wealth of
wildlife and a variety of important upland and lowland
habitats. It is however a manmade landscape with every
aspect of the Park’s environment having been altered by
human activities over thousands of years. As a
consequence the habitats and species we see today are
intimately linked to the activities of people who live, work
and visit the Park. The most obvious influence on the
landscape still persisting today is agriculture, livestock
farming in particular. Currently, sheep farming is the main
farming activity; there are about one million sheep in the
Park, compared with about 33,000 people living here!
The National Park has many Welsh, National and European designations protecting the flora
and fauna of the National Park. In the National Park as a whole there are 11 European sites
of special areas of conservation (4 within the core zone), 7 National Nature Reserves (2 in
core zone) and 79 Special Areas of Special Scientific Interest (17 in the core zone). These
are shown on the map below:
The distribution of plants are influenced by geology, which in turn affects the soils and rocks:
 The millstone grit produces acidic soils, encouraging plants such as sphagnum
mosses, green ribbed sedge, purple saxifrage and cowberry.
 Old Red Sandstone produces neutral or slightly acidic soils, encouraging common
plants like harebell and tormentil.
 Limestone produces basic soils (the opposite of acidic), encouraging plants like lily of
the valley, fairy flax and green spleenwort.
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Special Features in the Core Zone area
Legend
Purple Boundary: Core
Zone
SAMS: Scheduled
Ancient Monuments
SSI: Sites of Special
Scientific Interest
FNR / LNR / NNL:
Nature Reserves
The uplands found mainly in the core zone support over 25% of the Park’s heather moorland. Key bird
species include red grouse, merlin and ring ouzel. One particular success is the Red Kite, once on the
verge of extinction, can now be seen throughout the central and western
parts of the Park. Escarpments created by the ice age, provide ideal
conditions for rare arctic-alpine species and many rare plant species
including a number of species of whitebeam tree which are endemic to the
National Park. The limestone areas support rich limestone flora and
contain some of the largest cave systems in Britain and is home to a large
colony of lesser horseshoe bats.
The uplands also have important rivers that rise in the mountains as fast flowing torrents supporting
species such as common sandpiper and dipper. Other water features include a number of reservoirs and
small glacial lakes. Upland woodlands also are home to redstart and migrant fieldfare and redwing and
important moss populations.
Lowland areas mainly characterised by modern agricultural practices are important for lapwing. To the
south and west of the park areas of species-rich damp grassland support a variety of plant species including
the localised whorled caraway, petty whin, meadow thistle and globeflower and a wealth of invertebrate
life including rarities such as the marsh fritillary butterfly. Mammals are more numerous on lowland
farmland than on the unenclosed uplands. Species include badger, stoat, weasel, polecat, rabbit, mice, vole
and shrew. The number of rabbits has increased dramatically in the Park during the 1980s and 1990s,
benefiting one of their principal predators, the buzzard.
Small blocks of broadleaved woodland are found scattered throughout the lowland landscape. These
comprise a mixture of oak, birch and ash which provide a home for many bird species such as the pied
flycatcher, redstart, willow warbler, chiffchaff. Our many hedgerows provide important corridors that
increase the chance of some species moving between these woodland sites and have led to a a significant
dormouse population. Hedgerows also provide essential navigation landmarks for the Park’s bat
populations. Many of the hedgerows, particularly in the east of the park, support a flora more typical of
ancient woodland (woodland that has been recorded on ordnance survey maps since at least the 1600s)
and are probably remnants of previously wooded areas; they are therefore important reservoirs of
woodland flora.
The principal lowland rivers, notably the Usk and Wye, are slow moving in
their lower reaches and meander across increasingly wide floodplains. These
rivers provide an important habitat for fish such as Atlantic salmon, allis and
twaite shad and lampreys. Other priority biodiversity species found in the
Usk and Wye and their associated catchments are the otter and the whiteclawed crayfish. Llangorse Lake is the only large natural lowland lake in the
Park and supports a range of wildlife habitats including a species-rich open
water plant community, an extensive reed bed, sedge swamp and marshy
grassland and alder carr. The diversity of habitats in turn sustains important populations of wintering,
migratory and breeding birds. Priority biodiversity species noted at Llangorse include the otter, whiteclawed crayfish and the medicinal leech. The latter has not been recorded from any other site in the Park.
4.0 The Problem of Light Pollution
Light Pollution is a global problem, it is especially prevalent in the USA and Western Europe, but is growing
worldwide. It is being addressed by organisations such as the International Dark-Sky Association and the
Campaign for Dark Skies in the UK, along with a growing number of organisations from wildlife groups to
National Parks.
A Welsh Government /Campaign for Dark Skies
seminar in 2010 made the Brecon Beacons aware of
the value of the night sky, how important it is to the
environment, wildlife and the wellbeing of the general
public. It also highlighted the quality of the night sky
in Wales and the growing threat of light pollution
throughout the country.
Further research showed major encroachment close
to the boundaries of the BBNP. As can be seen in the
satellite images below, all of the truly dark areas (dark
blue) to the south of the BBNP (indicated by the rectangle) have disappeared in the period from 1993 to
2000, and there is no reason to believe this trend has not continued.
It was clear that if the BBNP wanted to protect the quality of its night sky, a key element of its
environment, something needed to be done immediately.
5.0 Countering Light Pollution
Unlike many other forms of pollution, light pollution is reversible. So steps can be taken to address this
issue.
The Campaign for Dark Skies
The Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS) was set up by concerned members of the British Astronomical
Association in 1989, to counter the ever-growing tide of skyglow which has tainted the night sky over
Britain since the 1950s. Usually the result of poorly aimed streetlights and floodlights emitting light above
the horizontal into the sky, skyglow is nowadays increasingly a result of vastly over-powered, poorly
mounted household security lights and literally "over-the-top" sports lighting.
CfDS has grown into a network of over 140 volunteer local officers, and several hundred committed
supporters, who work to persuade their local councils and organisations of the benefits of well directed
lighting, the motto being: the right amount of light, and only where needed.
The Brecon Beacons National Park
The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and the Brecon Beacons Park Society (the friends of
organisation for the BBNP) formed the Brecon Beacons Dark Sky initiative as a joint endeavour between
the two organisations.
The objectives of the project are to combat the growing encroachment of light pollution into the Brecon
Beacons National Park and the surrounding area, mitigate the adverse effects of this pollution, and raise
awareness and understanding of this special quality of the National Park. In so doing it also aims to gain
International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR) status for the Brecon Beacons National Park from the International
Dark-Sky Association (IDA).
The Brecon Beacons Dark Sky project is a two year initiative, including an initial Feasibility Assessment
phase. The project’s strategic approach is described in Section 7.0, and details of activities, timescales and
costs are given in Section 8.
The BBNB’s Light Pollution Policies and their Evolution
The Park’s objectives and policies are stated in various Park Authority documents which define how the
Park will be managed. The Management Plan, the top level document, is a joint statement of intent between
the BBNPA and the communities in the Park and sets strategic long term objectives.
BBNP Management Plan – Strategic Objectives
7. Minimise light and noise pollution.
Despite its proximity to urban centres such as Cardiff, Bristol and Swansea, the Park boasts a dark night
sky year round where, on clear nights, an abundance of stars can be seen. Similarly, its low population
density and lack of major motorways limit light and noise pollution. These factors contribute significantly to
the sense of tranquillity and remoteness so often cited as a key special quality of the Brecon Beacons
National Park. The BBNPA and its partners will seek to maintain and enhance these attributes.
How the commitment of the BBNPA to the control of light pollution has evolved over more than a decade
is shown below.
The current policies are contained within the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) which went into effect in
2001.
Policy G3: Development in the National Park
All proposals for development or change of use of land or buildings in the National Park must comply with
the following criteria, where they are relevant to the proposal:

the proposed development does not have an unacceptable impact on, nor detract from or prevent
the enjoyment of, the special qualities, natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National

where lighting is proposed as part of the development, the proposal must ensure that the design and
operation of lighting systems has minimal impact in terms of light pollution;
Policy G5: Signs, Advertisements and Floodlighting
Proposals for signs or advertisements requiring consent, or for floodlighting, will be permitted where
individually or cumulatively:
 there is no unacceptable impact on the character or amenity of the area within which they are sited;
and
 where lighting is proposed, they have minimal impact in terms of light pollution.
The successor to the UDP, the Local Development Plan (LDP), has been developed over the last four years
and is close to completion. It is expected to be operational for 15 years.
Policy 6 - Light Pollution
Proposals where lighting is required shall include a full lighting scheme and will be permitted: where the lighting proposed is appropriate to its purpose; and,
 where there is not a significant adverse effect individually or cumulatively on
 the character of the area;
 local residents;
 vehicle users;
 pedestrians;
 biodiversity; and
 the visibility of the night sky.
 bat habitat ‘dark corridors’
The Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Initiative has developed the following statements of intent which, together
with other information in the Lighting Management Plan (LMP), will be integrated into the LDP through the
creation of Supplementary Planning Guidelines for use by both the Planning Department and the general
public. The zones referred to in the following statements are defined in Section 9 and more context
information may be found in Section 11 and in the LMP.

Plan Statement 1 : Within the Core Zone boundary it is proposed to maintain a policy of no
additional permanent illumination installations.

Plan Statement 2 : Residents in the Core Zone are to be encouraged to limit the overspill light at
their property boundary, or within 10 meters of the main residence, to no more than 0.05 lux and
all existing lighting units to be replaced, through time, by “fully cut-off” examples regardless of the
lumen output.
Note: This is a more stringent condition than the IDA requirement but has been adopted by the
Brecon Beacons National Park as an aspirational target.

Plan Statement 3 : The Authority will encourage that no lighting will be allowed to be projected
from the adjacent light permitted Buffer Zones into the Core Zone and any overspill lighting from
lights in the Critical Buffer Zone to be no greater than 0.05 lux (horizontal) at ground level or 0.05
lux vertical at 1 metre (or higher) above ground on the Core Zone side of the property boundary.

Plan Statement 4 : Luminaires in the Critical Buffer Zones using lamps greater than 1000 lumens
will be recommended to be installed as Fully Cut-off (IDA term “Fully Shielded”).

Plan Statement 5 : Residents of Brecon Beacons National Park are to be encouraged to limit the
overspill light at their property boundary to no more than 0.1 lux. (Residents within the Core Zone
have stricter recommendations see Statement 2)

Plan Statement 6 : In Environmental Zone terms the residents round the Core Zone live with and
enjoy intrinsic darkness equivalent to Zone E1. Towns within the Brecon Beacons boundary with a
population greater than 900 may relax the conditions of this Environmental Zone in the town
centre where buildings provide natural screening but not in exposed locations.

Plan Statement 7 : All new lighting within Brecon Beacons will be encouraged to be designed and
installed to provide lower glare or intensity values, where possible, than that recommended by the
Institute of Lighting Professionals (ILP) for night time Environmental Zones.

Plan Statement 8 : All design submissions for new lighting in the Brecon Beacons should show
evidence of compliance with the zero candela intensity at 90 degrees and above and encourage
domestic luminaires to be selected from units having some form of upward light control.

Plan Statement 9 : Through the Lighting Management Plan it will be possible for the Authority to
provide a basis for discussion with its neighbours on various options to help reduce upward light
transmission.

Plan Statement 10 : All residential and business occupiers in Brecon Beacons will be encouraged
to switch off or reduce their exterior lighting quantity at 22.00 hours.
As stated in Section 2, the Park Authority has the power to control developments within the Park and
therefore can ensure that new lighting installations do not increase light pollution by applying the Lighting
Guidelines. However it does not have the power to require existing lighting to be upgraded. The Authority
therefore relies on collaboration and persuasion, which is our preferred approach in any case. This is
reflected in the wording of the Plan Statements above
6.0 Commitment Statements and Letters of Support
6.1 Patrons and Sponsors
The Brecon Beacons Dark Sky initiative is grateful for the support and patronage of the Prince of Wales,
the Minister for the Environment, the Campaign for National Parks and Visit Britain.
Add Charles’s signature (Ruth) + better image of the letter
Get a clearer image of the above letter
6-7 Barnard Mews London SW11 1QU
Telephone:
020 7924 4077
Fax:
020 7924 5761
Email:
info@cnp.org.uk
Web:
www.cnp.org.uk
President:
Ben Fogle
To whom it may concern
I am writing to indicate the support of the Campaign for National Parks for the Brecon Beacons Dark Sky
Project Application that is being submitted to the Brecon Beacons Trust by the Brecon Beacons Park
Society.
We are fully behind the objective of the project to combat the growing encroachment of light pollution
into the Brecon Beacons National Park and the surrounding area and to mitigate the adverse effects of
this pollution.
Yours sincerely
Ruth Chambers
Deputy Chief Executive
Tel 020 7924 4077 ext. 222
Email ruth@cnp.org.uk
Registered Charity No 295336. Company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales No
2045556 at 6-7 Barnard Mews London SW11 1QU
6.1 Brecon Beacons National Park
The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and Brecon Beacons Park Society are the lead partners in the
Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Initiative.
6.3 Supporters and Partner Organisations
Many additional letters of support have been received and are shown below.
Dark Sky Wales Education Services Limited
Llanover House
Llanover Road
Pontypridd
CF37 4DY
To Whom It May Concern:
Dark Sky Wales are happy to provide our continued support for the Brecon Beacons Dark Sky project and
is objective of countering light pollution in the Brecon Beacons National Park. We also support the
application for dark sky status for the Park. We have over the last year developed a close working
relationship with Park staff and members of the Park Society. We have provided advice and support
throughout this period that has complemented the hard work and determination shown by Jim and Ruth
and would relish the opportunity to develop the idea further.
We wish the project well and offer our support and believe that the persistence of all concerned will
achieve the desired outcome.
Kind Regards
Allan Trow
Astronomy Centre
Faculty of Health Sport & Science
Alfred Russel Wallace Building
Upper Glyntaff
Treforest
CF 37 4BD
Direct Line: +44 1443 654532
Fax: +44 1443 482285
Email: proche1@glam.ac.uk
Re : Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Project Application
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to offer my support, and that of my team of astronomers at the School of Sport and Science, University of
Glamorgan, to the application from the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Brecon Beacons Park Society for official “Dark
Sky” status. Compliance with the strict IDA regulations on light pollution has clear benefits on a number of levels, and the
increased access to, and awareness of, a dark sky is just one aspect that I am committed to support.
I am keen that the university works closely with the park society and authorities to help develop the proposals for dark sky
status, and within my team we have a variety of specialist equipment and education programmes that will be useful in
supporting the work that needs to be done to achieve the various steps in the process. On a practical level, this support would
include e.g. carrying out the necessary sky brightness measurements across the national park, working with schools and other
bodies in the area to raise awareness of light pollution, and engaging with the local community on a range of educational
projects. Following the model of Dark Sky Scotland, this education and outreach work would also include liaising with local
businesses to raise awareness of the tourism possibilities offered by controlled lighting etc., as well as more (science)
curriculum-focused work in primary and secondary schools.
On a personal level, under my current remit as the “ESA Space Education Resource Office” (ESERO) Space Ambassador for Wales,
and in my role as “UK National Schools’ Astronomer”, I have worked in education and outreach for over 20 years, and I am fully
supportive of the proposal to raise awareness of, and help address the issue of, light pollution. I have offered the services of our
staff and students to support the technical aspects of the application process, and I am keen that the university engages fully
with the outreach and education aspects of the programme. I have worked closely with the Dark Sky Scotland team for several
years, and I am well aware of the excellent work they have done within both the formal (schools) and informal educational
environments in the region.
I am happy to act as a single-point-of-contact within the University of Glamorgan, and indeed help establish links with Cardiff
University as well (as I still work within the School of Physics and Astronomy there), to assist with the Dark Sky programme that
is proposed for the Brecon Beacons. There are many other academics within both institutions who could offer valuable expertise
and advise for this project.
Yours sincerely
Dr. Paul Roche, Subject Leader, Astronomy (Univ of Glamorgan)
UK-ESERO “Space Ambassador”, Wales (Cardiff Univ)
UK National Schools’ Astronomer, Director, Faulkes Telescope Project
10th May 2011
To whom it may concern
Brecon Beacons Tourism would like to offer their support to the Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Application
being submitted by the BBNPA and the Brecon Beacons Park Society.
This status would add to the reasons why people might choose to come to our area thus helping the local
tourism industry and economy. As a project it will help those who live and work here to develop their
knowledge of the night sky and how lucky we are to be able to see as much of it as we can.
Businesses will no doubt be grateful to find out more as to how they can minimise light pollution and
maintain this unique selling point.
Yours sincerely
Punch Maughan
Director, Brecon Beacons Tourism
BBT c/- Glynmeddig, Pentrefelin, Sennybridge, LD3 8UA
info@breconbeaconstourism.co.uk, 01874 638835
Letter of support for the Park Society application to the Beacons Trust – Dark Sky
Accreditation.
Dear Sir/ Madam
A need has been identified to convert day visitors into staying visitors which has been a trend for some
time. Businesses have realised that in the Park one of our natural landscapes could offer one solution.
Since February 2010 I have been working with Allan Trow from Dark Skies Wales in offering an
introduction for tourism operators to astronomy. These courses offer an appreciation into the natural
potential this area has for amateur and incidental astronomers.
Four workshops have been provided for tourism operators which have all been fully booked, with over
100 tourism businesses attending. This demonstrates the interest businesses have in the night sky and the
dedication in learning about it. A mobile planetarium, provided by Dark Skies Wales, was a great hit as
were the lectures given by Allan Trow. A booklet as now been produced by Allan which all course
attendees are given at the end of the lecture.
There is a great deal of interest and desire to target amateur astronomers who are seen as a great niche
market that could holiday during the shoulder months.
Also there are a growing number of accommodation providers who are becoming accredited as Green
Tourism businesses who aim to reduce their impact on the environment. They are assessed by external
advisors against a list of criteria, one of which is to reduce and improve lighting both inside and outside
their properties.
By reducing light provision the quality of the sky improves and offers a quality experience for astronomers.
Therefore within the tourism trade there is support to see the Brecon Beacons National Park gaining
accreditation as a Dark Sky area.
Yours faithfully
Carol Williams - Tourism Growth Officer
7.0 The Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Initiative’s Anti Light Pollution Strategy
The objectives of the Brecon Beacons Dark Sky initiative are
 to combat the growing encroachment of light pollution into the Brecon Beacons
National Park and the surrounding area
 mitigate the adverse effects of this pollution,
 raise awareness and understanding of this special quality of the National Park.
These objectives are to be achieved through a strategy of engagement with local
communities, government bodies, and concerned organisations to form multiple
partnerships to raise awareness of, and help address the issue of light pollution.
Partnerships/Supporters include –
 The University of Glamorgan
 All the local Astronomy Societies
 Dark Sky Wales
 Campaign for Dark Skies
 Lighting Consultancy and Design Services Ltd
 Local and National Government
 Volunteers from local communities
Gaining IDSR accreditation will help raise the profile of the light pollution issue and bring
additional visitors to the area to the benefit of local businesses. The process for gaining this
status is very much focussed on good practise with respect to external lighting, and acts as a
guide for the project.
Doing the right thing on light pollution is the focus of the BBNP but we also hope that in so
doing we will gain recognition from the IDA
8.0 Planning and Funding
The project activities, timeline, and costs are summarised below.
Dark Sky Timeline-WBS-Costs (Version 5.0 : Revision at MS2)
Activity
Project Fesibility
Agree Project Mandate with PA/PS
Launch
Timeline
2011 2012
Lead md md(PA) md(PS) Cost March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct
RC/JW
MS1
Project Startup
RC/JW
Plan Project (Initial, Revised at MS2)
JW
Form Key Partnerships
Investigate Funding Sources
RC/JW
Draft Core and Peripheral Zones
Draft the Plan Dark Sky Events Program RC/AT
10
5
10
15
10
3
2
5
5
5
7 1500
3 750
5 1500
10 2250
1500
Obtain Resources (Budget and People)
RC/JW
20
8
12 3000
Dark Sky Survey
Decide Who Do and Get On Board
First Pass DS Quality Assessment
Training for Volunteers
Measure and Photograph
RC/JW
2
6
5
20
1
AT
PR
PR/AT
Community Engagement & Publicity
Events (Education, Community, …)
Halls, Equipment, Experts
Leaflets (Construct, Print, Distribute)
Publicity Campaign
Meetings
RC/JW
RC/JW
AT
20
8
10
10
20
5
10
10 3000
2800
1000
5 1500
5 3000
5
20
5
10
750
10 3000
5
10
4
6
5
10
10
5
2
5
1 750
4 1500
6000
750
8 3500
5 1500
1500
RC
20
15
Submit and Support Application for IDSR RC
5
3
10
40
10
3500
30 6000
3000
301
120
124 68450
Lighting Initiatives
Identify Existing Initiatives
Participation in new Community Projects
Lighting Management Plan
JW
Lighting Information from Councils
Core + Peripheral Zone Boundaries
Lightling Guidelines
JP
Draft Supplementary Planning Guide
Lighting Audit (Initial, Full)
JP
Implement Changes to Existing Lighting
Fixture Replacement
Assemble Application for IDSR
Consultancy
Project Management
Travel Expenses for Volunteers etc
Totals
Costs (Gifts in Kind)
Costs (ex of Gifts in Kind)
SO
RC/JW
Funding in Place
1
1
300
2100
1750
1 7000
MS3
MS2
5 3000
2
750
MS4
Notes:
47150
21300
68650
47150
21500 (Incurred/Commited £10850)
Indicates real costs
Indicates Gifts in Kind
£150/day - PA or PS
£350/day - Expert
Full Time Equivalent people:
MS
Indicates work Complete
Indicates work Planned
Indicates work taking place intermittently
Milestone
1/3 (PA) and 1/3 (PS)
(Assumes 18 mths of 20wday (360md))
Fig 8.1 Overall Project Plan
The project is fully funded thanks to grants from the Brecon Beacons Trust and the
Sustainable Development Fund and donations from the Brecon Beacons Park Society.
The total cost of the project is of the order of £68,500 comprising of £21,500 actual
monetary costs and £47,000 worth of “gifts in kind” in terms of Park Authority staff and
volunteers time.
9.0 The Proposed IDSR
The central area of the park is dominated by four blocks of high ground, each separated to
some extent by valleys containing farms and other inhabited areas.
The widest valley, about 5 miles wide, contains the River Usk and a busy corridor of towns
and villages between Brecon, in the north, and Abergavenny in the south east. This valley
annexes the Black Mountains in the East from the other three sections and therefore is
excluded for consideration as part of the Core Zone. On its own it does have an area of
zero habitation, however, this is much less than the combined area of high ground chain
created by The Brecon Beacons, The Fforest Fawr and The Black Mountain.
(Note: Confusingly the group of hills in the far East of the Park are called the Black
Mountains, and the group in the far West are called the Black Mountain singular).
The proposed zoning for the IDSR is  A Core Zone comprising of the most precious and darkest areas of the Park
 A set of Critical Buffer Zones which are adjacent to the Core Zone and represent
the greatest threat to the dark skies of the Core
 A Buffer Zone which is the remainder of the BBNP
 An External Zone surrounding and external to the BBNP
9.1 Core Zone
The “Open Access” area of the UK created by the CRoW Act legislation was outlined
previously in Section 3 and its general boundary within the central and western areas of the
BBNP has been chosen to define the Core Zone limits.
Fig 9.1 Core Zone (shaded in Blue)
The Core Zone is approximately 28 miles long in an East to West direction. However, the
boundary lines to the north and south are shaped by the many valleys and rivers flowing
north or south from the mountain ridges.
At its narrowest, where a north valley and a south valley coincide, the core is just over 1
mile wide but generally a distance of about 12 miles exists between the north and south
extremes. In area measurement terms the Core Zone contains 166 square miles (442.2 sq.
km.) of land. The Core is therefore at least 32% of the total park area.
The Core Zone boundary has been devised to minimise human habitation and maximise on
open land access by encompassing the following natural attributes of Brecon Beacons:




Many hill top burial cairns, stone circles, burnt mounds and field systems
Two National Nature Reserves (Ofog Fftnnon-Ddu & Craig Cerrig Gleisiad)
Two glacial lakes (Llyn y Fan Fach & Llyn y Fan Fawr)
Three man-made Reservoirs
Roman Camps and Hut Circles
Land ownership within the Core Zone is split as follows: National Trust
8.36 %
 National Park Authority
39.14 %
 Forestry Commission
6.66 %
 Private Ownership
18.19 %
In order to maximise on "Open Access" a number of habitations have been included within
the Core Zone although they have been clinically excluded by the CRoW Act boundary.
The Beacons Way footpath joins many of the summits listed in the table below.
Table 9.2 Hilltops in the Core Zone
The Black Mountain
Fforest Fawr
The Brecon Beacons
Tair Carn Isaf
Fan Gyhirych (725m)
Corn Du
Tair Carn Uchaf (482m)
Fan Fraith
(668m)
Pen y Fan
(886m)
Foel Fawr
(493m)
Fan Nedd
(663m)
Fan y Big
(719m)
Foel Fraith
(602m)
Fan Llia
(632m)
Craig Pwllfa (762m)
Twyn Swnd
(635m)
Fan Fawr
(734m)
Allt Lwyd
(654m)
Fan Fnyrych
(629m)
Allt Forgan
(513m)
(460m)
Fan Brycheiniog (802m)
(873m)
9.2 Critical Buffer Zones
General
It is a general recommendation that all Core Zones with their very strict limit of no, or very
little, artificial light be surrounded by a protective region with less severe lighting limitations.
As outlined in Section 1.5 of the LMP, the status of light control within any National Park
has been recognised since the first publication of the ILP “Obtrusive Light Guidelines” in
1993 as being that of a night time environmental zone E1.
As such this provides, for the remainder of the park to be a general Buffer Zone limit of
many miles round the core zone. The LMP encourages continuance of this classification but
proposes a two step approach within the park boundary. The IDA recommends that an
external lighting audit is carried out on all lighting within the Buffer Zone but the quantity of
lighting within the BBNP boundary, makes this too large a task to be practical. It is
therefore proposed that a Critical Buffer Zone is established with a generalised edge (not a
boundary limit) of about 1½ miles (about 2Km around the core zone), as a representative
fraction of lighting typical of Brecon Beacons area in general.
As can be seen from the previous map (Fig 9.1) the Core Zone has a very irregular
circumference. The main irregularities arise from the presence of many valleys etched out
of the hillside. Most of these valleys are about 1 mile wide and many contain farm and
private dwellings, therefore, they have not been enclosed by the “Open Access” CRoW Act
boundary. The BBNP proposes that the main valleys, some 15 in number, are recognised
as the Critical Buffer Zones between the Core Zone and the remainder of the park area
(the Buffer Zone for the rest of the surrounding country external to the BBNP boundary).
The twin valleys of Critical Buffer Zone 3 are shown in Figure 9.2 below.
Fig 9.2 Typical Critical Zone valleys cutting into the high-ground
Figure 9.3: Map showing Critical Buffer Zones round Core Zone
BBNP Visitor Centre
Libanus
#15
#2
#3
#14
#4
#16
#1
#5
#1
#12
#11
#6/7
#10
BBNP Visitor Centre
#8
#9
Craig y nos
For geographic details in each survey section
see 1:25000 scale boundary drawing #.....
© Crown copyright and database rights 2011
Ordnance Survey 100019322 2011
9.3 Buffer Zone
The Buffer Zone is the remainder of the Brecon Beacons National Park and completely
surrounds the Critical Buffer Zones and the Core Zone.
9.4 External Zone
The External Zone is outside of and surrounding the BBNP and is typically 5 miles in width.
The exact wide of the zone is dependant of the degree of threat to the Park’s dark skies. It
with vary according to the nature and intensity of lighting external to the Park and indeed
will change over time to reflect circumstances.
10.0 The Night Sky Quality Survey
The quality of the night sky in the Brecon Beacons National Park was evaluated by
astronomers from the University of Glamorgan and Dark Sky Wales. This quality survey
gives an assessment of night sky quality within the Park and establishes a benchmark that
future surveys can be measured against.
10.1 Methodology
To ascertain the darkness of the entire park, 36 sites were located covering a N-S and E-W
axis crossing the park in a “double W” pattern. Urban locations within the park in addition
to its uninhabited areas were included to give a balanced reading of the sky quality across
the whole national park and to identify areas of concern for the Park Authority.
Measurements of the sky darkness were made at least 2 hours after local sunset on dates
spread over a period of 14 months. They were taken with three separate Unihedron Sky
Quality Meters (model SQM-L), which records the visual magnitudes per square arc-second
over an area of approximately 42 degrees of sky.
In all over 200 readings were taken in assessing the quality of the Park’s night sky.
Calibration of the SQM was achieved by pointing the meters at a dark background in a dark
room. The lowest reading on the SQM is given in the instructions as 24.00, but readings of
24.02, 24.07, 24.01 and 23.98 were obtained over three nights, which give a mean of 24.02
with a probable error of +/- 05 per reading – which was negligible, falling well within the
ranges of two readings per SQM.
All measurements were obtained by pointing the SQM at the zenith, then taking two
recordings before determining a mean reading. Once this was obtained a naked eye limiting
magnitude (NELM) can be determined using a conversion tool provided by the Omaha
Astronomical Society. The conversion is accurate to a hundredth of a magnitude.
Stellar magnitudes are measured using a logarithmic scale in which each magnitude differs
from the next (brighter or fainter) by 2.512, or 2.5 times as bright/faint. The standard star
in astronomical use for calibration is Vega (alpha Lyrae) with a magnitude of 0.0.
In astronomical measurement of magnitude, a brighter object has a lower number whilst
fainter objects have higher numbers. On this scale the faintest magnitudes measured in the
survey were 366.5 times fainter than Vega.
The sky quality, depending on magnitude, were then reduced to the Bortle scale a
recognised dark sky determination tool used by astronomers. Visual estimates of stars and
other deep sky objects for levels of transparency and sky clarity were also made.
10.2 Findings
The faintest magnitudes recorded within the park boundary were at the car park of the Usk
reservoir, an accessible beauty spot, with a recording of 21.56 on the meter resulting in a
NELM of 6.41. It was generally found that western areas in the park were the darkest as
there was little light encroachment from the towns and villages or that of the south Wales
urban area to the south.
Dark areas of note within the eastern boundary of the park were found at Cwmyoy, Capel y
Ffin, Cwmdu, Pengenffordd and Llangorse lake. These are not currently designed as Core,
but this may be addressed in future evolution of the Park and its anti Light Pollution
strategy.
The average SQM and NELM results across the BBNP were Core Zone: 21.22/6.23
Critical Buffer Zones: 21.21/6.22
Urban Areas: 19.77/5.32
Other Dark Areas of the BBNP: 21.29/6.27
BBNP excluding Urban Areas: 21.29/6.24
BBNP: 21.03/6.13
The darkest reading in the Brecon Beacons = 21.56.
The following readings are only included as a general comparison with other dark areas in
the UK and should not be used as an absolute measurement value since the SQM meters
used may not have been calibrated at the same time, the measurement methodology may
have been different and the weather conditions will certainly have been different.
Darkest reading in Galloway Forest = 22.7
Darkest reading on the Isle of Sark = 21.5
Darkest reading in Exmoor = 21.8
The Brecon Beacons National Park would appear to have dark skies standards comparable
to other areas in the UK recognised by the IDA.
The globular clusters Messier 13 (Mag 5.8), Messier 3 (Mag 6.2) and Messier 5 (Mag 6.6)
were clearly visible with the unaided eye, the galaxy Messier 81 (Mag 6.9) was also visible
with a little averted vision and 34 stars were counted in Coma Berenices (Melotte 111).
The brightest, most polluted skies were found unsurprisingly in the urban areas with Brecon
reading at an average NELM of 4.56. Comparing the best magnitude estimate of the park
with that of Brecon results in a difference of 2 magnitudes, a difference between seeing stars
6.25 times fainter in the darker areas of the park than in the main town only a few miles
away.
The table on the following page is the result of over SQM readings taken between 2001 and
2012 in 36 locations across the National Park.
10.3 Conclusions
The Brecon Beacons National Park is very dark with stars down to magnitude 6.41 visible, a
best SQM measurement of 21.56, and a Bortle scale rating of between 3 and 4. This is
especially remarkable as the Park itself has a population of 33,000 within its boundaries and
there over 1,000,000 people living in the Welsh valleys only a few miles to the south of the
Park.
With so many people with poor night sky quality in such close proximity, the BBNP has
considerable potential for dark sky tourism.
The dark skies of the Park are of great value and well merit the protection of the BBNP
Authority.
Table 10.1 Brecon Beacons National Park Dark Sky Survey
Site No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Grid Ref
SO055128
SO035174
SO551175
SO107205
SO086258
SO128227
SO157171
SO128272
SO154338
SO255314
SO294232
SO219187
SO181242
SO172301
SO039285
SN974286
SN917285
SN896295
SN854266
SN840247
SN835285
SN820271
SN755245
SN730192
SN720151
SN668193
SN840161
SN886210
SN924191
SN878264
SN982204
SN989185
SO005131
SO011119
SN946085
SN929124
GPS
N51.48.27 W03.22.24
N51.50.48 W03.24.03
N51.50.52 W03.22.25
N51.52.33 W03.18.15
N51.56.10 W03.20.08
N51.53.45 W03.15.59
N51.50.45 W03.13.27
N51.56.07 W03.16.13
N51.59.31 W03.23.27
N51.58.43 W03.05.16
N51.54.11 W03.01.45
N51,51.31 W03.08.08
N51.55.10 W03.11.14
N51.58.57 W03.13.54
N51.56.47 W03.23.54
N51.56.45 W03.29.36
N51.56.39 W03.34.33
N51.56.47 W03.37.47
N51.56.04 W03.39.51
N51.54.34 W03.39.29
N51.56.38 W03.41.55
N51.55.03 W03.43.02
N51.54.15 W03.48.42
N51.51.13 W03.50.31
N51.48.30 W03.54.14
N51.51.12 W03.56.02
N51.50.`16 W03.40.29
N51.54.52 W03.35.12
N51.51.19 W03.45.36
N51.56.02 W03.28.40
N51.52.19 W03.28.46
N51.51.38 W03.28.16
N51.48.30 W 03.26.43
N51.47.47 W03.26.14
N51.38.42 W03.30.40
N51.46.36 W03.55.49
Location
Pontsticyll reservoir
Neuadd Reservoir
Craig y Fan Ddu
Talybont Reservoir
Llanfrynach
Bwlch
Llangynidr Hill
Llangorse Lake
Talgarth
Capel Y Ffin
CwmYoy
Crickhowell
CwmDu
Pengenffordd
Brecon
The Old Lodge
Sennybridge
Trecastle
Cwm Hydfer
Ffynnon y Gwyddau
Usk Reservoir
Pont y Wysg
Twynllanan
Pen Rhiw Ddu
Brynamman Info
Carreg Cennan
Dan yr Ogof Caves
Crai Reservoir
Maen Llia
Mountain Centre
Storey Arms
Beacons reservoir
Garw Nant
Llwyn On reservoir
Penderyn
Ystradfellte
Zone Key
C = Core
CBn = Critical Buffer n
U = Urban
N = National Park other Dark Area
Zone
C
C
C
C
CB3
N
N
N
U
N
N
U
N
N
U
N
U
N
CB15
C
CB15
C
CB14
C
U
CB14
CB12
C
C
CB2
C
C
CB8
CB8
CB9
CB11
Reading 1
20.34
20.92
20.84
20.95
21.03
21.1
20.89
21.26
20.34
21.46
21.4
19.86
21.22
21.33
18.78
21.43
20.03
21.46
21.48
21.51
21.57
21.47
21.39
21.35
20.14
21.25
21.31
21.47
21.39
21.49
21.48
21.49
21.18
20.98
20.58
20.87
Reading 2
20.71
20.89
20.77
21.02
20.98
21.05
20.94
21.25
20.27
21.5
21.47
19.97
21.26
21.32
18.69
21.39
20.05
21.42
21.51
21.52
21.55
21.43
21.43
21.33
20.06
21.29
21.32
21.5
21.43
21.56
21.54
21.58
21.23
20.99
20.62
20.93
Mean
20.52
20.9
20.8
20.98
21
21.08
20.91
21.25
20.3
21.48
21.44
19.91
21.24
21.33
18.73
21.41
20.04
21.44
21.49
21.51
21.56
21.45
21.41
21.34
20.1
21.27
21.32
21.48
21.41
21.52
21.51
21.53
21.21
20.99
20.6
20.9
Magnitude
5.83
6.06
6.08
6.14
6.12
6.16
6.06
6.25
5.69
6.37
6.35
5.43
6.25
6.35
4.56
6.34
5.52
6.35
6.38
6.39
6.41
6.36
6.34
6.31
5.56
6.26
6.29
6.37
6.34
6.39
6.39
6.4
6.23
6.11
5.88
6.06
Fig 10.1: Sites and SQM readings in and near the Core Zone
© Crown copyright and database rights
2011 Ordnance Survey 100024878
21 = 21.56
30 = 21.52
28 = 21.48
19 = 21.49
31 = 21.51
29 = 21.41
32 = 21.53
22 = 21.45
20 = 21.51
5 = 21
23 = 21.41
26 = 21.29
4 = 20.98
24 = 21.35
29 = 21.41
27 = 21.32
Measurement Site Number = SQM Mean Value
(See Table 10.1 for full set of site numbers and SQM readings)
2 = 20.9
3 = 20.8
1 = 20.52
Fig 10.2: Sites and SQM readings in the Eastern area of the BBNP
© Crown copyright and database rights
2011 Ordnance Survey 100024878
14 = 21.33
13 = 21.24
9 = 20.3
8 = 21.25
10 = 21.48
6 = 21.54
11 = 21.44
7 = 20.91
12 = 19.91
Measurement Site Number = SQM Mean
(See Table 1.1 for full set of site numbers and SQM readings)
The central beacons
Milky Way fish eye lens image from the mountain centre
11.0 External Lighting Audit
11.1 External Lighting Audit: Core Zone
The Storey Arms Centre is the largest property in the Core Zone. It was converted about
1976 to provide residential accommodation for Cardiff school groups. It is located in the
centre of the Core Zone immediately adjacent to the A470 and its hillside environment
provides isolation suitable for possible astronomy workshops. There is natural tree
shielding round one side of the property, however, the front aspect adjacent to the A470
can be seen from the opposite valley hillside. The safety and security of residential school
children must be uppermost in the minds of the centre management team and the existing
external floodlighting was installed accordingly, several years prior to this Application.
The remaining properties in the Core
Zone are private with 16 houses, one
with a horse training ménage and one
farm. A detailed external lighting
inventory for each property is included in
Section 5.2 of the LMP, and the summary
in Table 11.2 below shows that there was
67% compliance with the general IDA
guidelines at the time of the audit.
Fig 11.1 The Storey Arms
Table 11.2 Core Zone Lighting Summary
Property
Number
of lights
Number
Number Plan 2
IDA
Compliant
Compliant
2.19
12
10
2
2.34
20
11
1
5.38
5
1
0
5.39
15
6
0
5.40
11
11
0
10.12
0
0
0
12.53
3
3
0
15.04
4
4
0
15.05
6
2
0
15.06
1
1
0
15.07
5
2
0
15.08
7
2
0
15.09
3
2
0
15.10
12
12
0
15.11
0
0
0
15.12
4
4
0
15.13
2
2
0
15.14
2
2
0
Total in Core Zone
112
75
3
It should be noted that there is only 2.5% compliance with the recommendations outlined in
Plan Statement 2.
Plan Statement 2
Residents in the Core Zone are to be encouraged to limit the overspill light at their
property boundary, or within 10 meters of the main residence, to no more than 0.05 lux
and all existing lighting units to be replaced, through time, by “fully cut-off” examples
regardless of the lumen output.
This is a more stringent condition than the IDA requirement but has been adopted by the
Brecon Beacons National Park as an aspirational target.
Examples of recommended types of fittings that would satisfy Plan Statement 2 are shown
on the following page, and will be included in the Property Self Assessment Guide to be
distributed to the residents and businesses within the park.
11.2 External Lighting Audit: Critical Buffer Zones
The northern boundary of Critical Buffer Zone 2 has been defined so as to include
properties up to the BBNP Visitor Centre near the village of Libanus where astronomy
workshops are undertaken.
The open outlook to the south provides extensive views of the Core Zone with the height
of the range providing natural shielding of the urbanisation further south.
Figure 11.4
BBNP Mountain
Visitor Centre,
Libanus
In each of the valleys which constitute the Critical Buffer Zones, identified in Fig 9.3, there
are a few small hamlets and a few street lights, however, in general habitation consists of
private residences or farm buildings.
Deltalight
LED Deltalight
Zumtobel -
Kont Smide - Torino
Kont Smide - Torino
Kont Smide - Modena
Raytec
B&Q (above)
Norlys - Koster (right)
Sitco + Others - Mini Flood
All floodlights like this are
designed to be mounted
horizontally (not as shown in
manufacturer's illustration )
Additional shielding as
illustrated right can limit light
at task area boundary
Figure 11.3 Typical external domestic fittings which can meet the objectives of
Plan Statement 2
Within the Critical Buffer Zones approximately 300 properties were identified and a
property by property external lighting audit was carried out. The full set of the lighting audit
survey results is given in section 5 of the LMP. However, in summary form, of the 964
lighting units found in these zones there are currently 72% dark sky compliant based on the
limit of 1000 lamp lumens or less being deemed compliant. Many of the non-compliant
relate to the installation of security style floodlights although in general terms several have
natural tree leaf shielding and are seldom used in the summer months.
Although there are many variations on a theme to be found in the Critical Buffer Zone
there are principally 3 different luminaire styles: Heritage (Fig 11.5), Bulkheads (Fig 11.6),
and Floodlights (Fig 11.7).
Fig 11.5
Fig 11.6
Fig 11.7
A few other styles were also found but the important element is not the style of the
luminaire but its associated lamp output and more importantly the distribution of light being
emitted. Most of the tungsten halogen floodlights use lamps which have an output greater
than 1000 lumens. At least 224 were found with an elevated angle as illustrated in Fig 11.7.
To be compliant with the IDA recommendations, the light should be adjusted so that the
flat glass window is completely horizontal.
Advice on how to improve external lighting, and what types of fitment to install, are
included in the Property Self Assessment Guide to be derived from Appendix F of the LMP
and distributed widely throughout the Park.
11.3 External Lighting Audit: Buffer Zone (the remainder of the National Park)
Private Lighting
As stated in Section 9.2 a full audit was undertaken for domestic lighting units in the
remainder of the park (the Buffer Zone) due to the quantities involved. However the
surveyed within the Critical Buffer Zones showed a compliance level in that buffer area
which is comparable to other UK Dark Sky applications. The survey contained data from
domestic and commercial properties and when separately analysed the domestic compliance
percentage was 72% with an additional 15% of non-compliant floodlights connected to
presence detection devices. Therefore, although deemed non-compliant this 15% group are
not providing continuous illumination.
In order to test the domestic average in a different section of the park another audit was
carried out in Pennyclawdd, a village without street lighting, located in the eastern area of
the park about 3 miles north of Abergavenny. The audit of this village shows that 80% of
the domestic external lighting is IDA compliant (details are included in Section 5.4 of the
LMP). It is therefore reasonable to assume that 72% will be replicated or bettered in the
Buffer Zone as a whole.
Public Lighting
Many of the villages in Brecon Beacons have no street lighting system and some have two or
three located at strategic locations in the village rather than providing a cohesive street
lighting system. The location of the remaining towns and villages with a cohesive street
lighting system totalling more than 10 units are shown in Figure 11.8. Four of the five local
authorities who own and maintain the street lighting have statements in their own lighting
policy on plans to re-introduce part night lighting (ie on at dusk but switching off about
midnight and back on again about 5am until dawn).
Figure 11.8 Map showing Street Lighting systems (> 10 units) round Core Zone
A Public Lighting audit and information collection exercise showed a 27% flat glass score
(31% flat glass or low profile) for the park more than double an anticipated IDA perception
for at least 10% to be flat glass.
Typical luminaire profiles are show on the following page.
Typical 35 or 55w SOX
Refractor bowl
35w luminaire elevated 50
I max
Cd/kl
m
Above 95
43
Above 90
62
900
62
0
80
115
0
70
163
Typical 70w / 100w SON
–
Polycarbonate Bowl
Typical 50w/70w SON –
Low profile = G3 @ 00
Typical
Flat Glass retrofit for all
of above
24 / 32 LED =G6 @ 00
Typical Curved LED
On test in some streets
Stela
Refractor Bowl
55w luminaire elevated 50
I max
Cd/kl
m
Above 95
30
Above 90
70
900
70
0
80
294
0
70
304
luminaire elevated 100
I max
Cd/kl
m
Above 95
3
Above 90
13
900
13
0
80
58
700
219
I max
Cd/kl
m
Above 95
3
Above 90
7
0
90
7
0
80
88
700
291
I max
Cd/kl
m
Above 95
0

Above 90
0

900
0
800
85
700
771
Preferred mounting
I max
Cd/kl
m
Above 95
4
Above 90
4
0
90
4
0
80
8
700
783
Fig 11.9 Common street lighting in the town of Brecon with typical intensity
distribution of light emerging near the horizontal axis
11.4 External Zone (Typically 5 Miles beyond the Park Boundary)
Since the Authority has no jurisdiction in the area beyond their park boundary, planners and
engineers from the Park and local government need to work in partnership, both within and
external to the park, to help maintain or enhance the Dark Sky Reserve. Details of how this
should be done are given in the LMP.
For the Brecon Beacons National Park the external distance of 5 miles beyond the boundary
is typical, but not definitive, as a buffer zone for large wattage installations external to the
Park Distances of large centres of population from the Park boundary are shown in the map
below.
Fig 11.10 National Park boundary relative to surrounding External Area
11.5 Summary of Findings
Private Lighting
Preceeding
Area
Sections
Lighting
units
5.1
Core Zone
112
IDA
Percentage Non-compliant on
Compliant Compliant presence detection
sensor
75
67%
20%
5.2
Critical Buffer
Domestic
555
402
72%
5.3
Control Village
Domestic
69
55
80%
5.4
Critical Buffer
Commercial
228
149
51%
Survey Total
964
681
70%
15%
Fig 11.11 Summary results for Private Lighting
Improvements in these scores since the time of the Audit are described in Section 14.
Although the overall 70% for the BBNP may appear to be less than some previous UK
applications the quantity of light fittings surveyed is very much larger.
Dark Sky Application
Brecon Beacons Park Reserve
Exmoor National Park Reserve
Isle of Sark Dark Sky Island
Galloway Forest Park
Quantity
Surveyed
964
693
582
374
Quantity
Compliant
681
539
436
263
Percentage
Compliant
70%
77%
75%
70%
Fig 11.12 Comparison of Percentage Compliant
Public Lighting
Total
3279
Flat Glass
871
Low Profile
153
Notes
27% Flat Glass latern
31% Flat glass or low profile
The public lighting analysis above reflects the current situation which is the result of
appreciation of the light pollution issues by several Local Authorities within Brecon Beacons
National Park over a period of several years.
To improve matters still further the BBNP will continue to work with the local County
Councils to encourage the continuance of as many lighting improvements as possible within
their budget constraints.
12.0
Lighting Management
As previously stated in Section 2, National Park Authorities in the UK are empowered to
control developments within their boundaries. The Brecon Beacons have developed
external lighting guidelines for use by their Planning Department (and by Developers).
Application of these guidelines to all future development applications will ensure there is no
further increase in Light Pollution within the Park. The Park Authority is also collaborating
with neighbouring Local Government to encourage the adoption of similar guidelines in
areas adjacent to the Park.
The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority does not have the statutory power to force
individuals, organisations, businesses or local government to replace existing non
conformant external lighting. A strategy of education and persuasion was therefore
necessary. Indeed we believe this approach is preferable as it will both raise the awareness
of the problem of Light Pollution and increase the buy in to finding solutions both now and
in the future.
(For details please see the Lighting Management Plan)
13.0 Communication and Collaboration
A considerable effort has been made to communicate the message on the issue of light
pollution both locally and nationally. There is a ground swell of support within communities
and organisations both locally and nationally, including at government level.
13.1
Media Coverage and Publicity
For a full list of online material please see separate online resource sheet submitted with the
application package.
There has been considerable exposure in the media which has greatly assisted in raising the
profile of the light pollution problem with over 15 articles in the press and an additional ten
in newsletters and professional publications. For full details of all press coverage and articles
see the submission package. The coverage includes Articles in local newspapers
Articles in publications by organisations
Please see article in the CPRW magazine (part of the submission package). This has been
circulated to all Welsh Government politicians, environmental lobbyists and the Campaign
for Protection of Rural Wales membership in the UK.
Please see the article from the Brecon Beacons Park Society magazine (part of the
Submission Package).
Please see the article by Martin Griffiths of the University of Glamorgan on the Dark Skies
of the Brecon Beacons (part of the Submission Package). This paper has been accepted for
publication by the British Astronomical Association (and will therefore be available to
50,000+ astronomers). Additionally a variant is being submitted to Popular Astronomy with
a circulation of approximately 20,000.
Digital Media coverage
BBC News Wales
Brecon Beacons National Park bids for Dark Sky status
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17316599
ITV News Wales
The Brecon Beacons: After dark
http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2012-05-05/the-brecon-beacons-after-dark/
BBC News Wales
Brecon Beacons bids for Dark Sky tourism
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14331611
Ordnance Survey Magazine
Brecon Beacons seeks Dark Sky status
http://www.magazine.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/magazine/tscontent/editorials/places-togo/2012/brecon-beacons-seeks-dark-status.html
Wales Online
Brecon Beacons National Park bids to become Wales' first International Dark Skies Reserve
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/03/12/brecon-beacons-national-parkbids-to-becomes-wales-first-international-dark-sky-reserve-91466-30510290/
Wales Online
Could Wales' dark skies bring in a million more visitors?
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/09/01/could-wales-dark-skies-bring-ina-million-more-visitors-91466-29340914/
Brecon Beacons Tourism's blog
Brecon Beacons National Park Dark Skies campaign
http://breconbeacons.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/brecon-beacons-national-park-dark-skiescampaign/
UK Hill Walking.com
Brecon Beacons bid for Dark Skies status
http://www.ukhillwalking.com/news/item.php?id=67102
Adventure Britain.com
Brecon Beacons to become Wales' first International Dark Skies Reserve
http://www.adventurebritain.com/brecon-beacons-to-become-wales-first-international-darkskies-reserve/
Discover Britain Magazine
New film produced in International Dark Skies bid
http://www.discoverbritainmag.com/Editorial.aspx?brand=HeritageOnline&category=Latest%
20News&story=SPED10+May+2012+11%3A38%3A19%3A997&page=6017
IHBC NewsBlog
Brecon Beacons NPA seeks 'dark sky reserve' status
http://ihbconline.co.uk/newsachive/?p=3915
Cardiff School of Jounalism
https://vimeo.com/45026687
Visit Britain
Brecon Beacons Dark Skies
http://www.visitbritain.com/en/GB/
The exposure on the VisitBritain web site, where our video on the Dark Skies of the
Brecon Beacons was their Video of the Month and on the front page of this important web
site during the Olympics was particularly notable.
Additional Media Commissioned
We have also commissioned additional media in the form of a dedicated video, podcast and
song. Please see details of links and actual media files in the submission package.
Brecon Beacons International Dark Sky Video - http://www.breconbeacons.org/visitus/outdoors-activities/star-gazing-and-dark-skies/brecon-beacons-dark-skies-video
Brecon Beacons – Official Dark Sky Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4GAn1K788s
Community Stargazing Event Podcast - http://audioboo.fm/boos/1063305-star-gazing-inthe-brecon-beacons
13.2
Business Collaboration
Stargazing and the developing the Tourism Economy
Tourism is vitally important to the Brecon Beacons. People visit not only for the special
qualities but also for outdoor activities and to sample Welsh food and drink available locally.
Of the more active pursuits walking is by far the most popular, but cycling, mountain biking,
fishing and horse riding are all widely enjoyed. More specialist are caving, canoeing, sailing,
hang-gliding, parascending are more recently stargazing!
Alongside agriculture, tourism is the one of the largest employers for the area. Hoteliers
and caravan site operators, attractions managers, event organisers, shopkeepers and
publicans all benefit from the tourist trade and the National Park Authority (NPA) is keen
to work closely with them to ensure tourism does not destroy what visitors have come to
see.
Brecon Beacons Tourism is an organisation made up of over 270 tourism businesses within
the National Park. They are a company limited by guarantee and work to market and
support all tourism businesses across the Brecon Beacons National Park. The organisation's
aims are to:
 Work together to provide a unique experience for
visitors
 Care more for visitors and the landscape that
attracts them
 Aim further in aspiring to be a sustainable destination
 Share knowledge and expertise for the benefit of all
The NPA works closely with them and with the 600 businesses on our tourism mailing list
to promote enjoyment of dark skies by all those who visit the park and promote the area as
a leading UK destination for stargazing. In particular, we are working hard to raise the
quality of the stargazing product on offer.
To date we have run five courses for tourism businesses in the National Park with over 100
businesses attending. These were:
 Diamonds in the Sky’ course (ran in 2010 and 2011): an introduction to astronomy
which will helps businesses market their accommodation to this segment.
 Evening with the Stars (ran in 2010 and 2011): “Astro-tourism is a growing market
and the National Park provides an ideal location. This course will introduce you to
the wonders of the Autumn & Winter Skies. The course starts in the portable
planetarium with a short tour of the heavens before exploring the real sky with your
eyes , telescopes & binocular s. A resource pack will be provided for you by DSW
with information about astro-tourism, the night sky and dark sky parks”
 Seeing Stars (October 2012) “The Brecon Beacons National Park is hopefully on the
verge of getting Dark Skies status, this course looks at how businesses can take
advantage and work in partnership with Brecon Beacons National Park to develop
events. The outcome of the day will to have planned a communications strategy for
promoting the night skies”.
In addition we are developing two bespoke schemes for tourism businesses – the Dark Sky
Ambassador Scheme and the Astronomers Welcome Accommodation Scheme.
We currently have a National Park Ambassador Scheme which allows tourism business
owners and employees to become an official ambassador for the National Park. Each
participant has to complete a series of modules learning about key elements of the National
Park (culture, wildlife and landscape) and if they successfully complete the course they are
awarded with a certificate and badge and promoted in our tourism literature. To date we
have 120 individuals or businesses who are official ambassadors.
We are now developing a scheme for such individuals to also become official Dark Sky
Ambassadors. The draft outline for the course is shown below and will be launched at a
special event on 25th February 2013. The course itself will be run in May 2013.
We are also developing a scheme in which tourism businesses can gain an award to
demonstrate that they are dark sky friendly! The aim of this scheme is to:
- Increase the quality of facilities and knowledge of offer to those that visit the
National Park
- Combat light pollution at key tourism facilities within the National Park
The scheme is based on a scoring system marking its suitability for astronomical
observations and based on a number of factors that are important to observers and that are
weighted according to their importance. The scorecard below gives an indication of the
qualities we would look for. In addition, points would be awarded for information and
materials to help guests stargaze when on site and for information displayed on their
websites.
Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Ambassador Scheme
2nd and 21st May 2012
DARK SKY AMBASSADOR
Key Learning Outcomes:
Learn what can be observed in the night sky
Discover why light pollution is affecting the night sky
The effects on wildlife and ecology
Learn how to run stargazing activities
Contact groups who will assist with their running
Module 1 – Introduction to the Night Sky and the Brecon Beacons
International Dark Sky Reserve
What can be seen in the night sky?
The quality of night skies found within the National Park
Workshop in night sky recognition
What is the IDA and why are dark skies important
The National Park bid for international recognition
Night time observation
Module 2 – Light pollution and reversing the threat to our dark skies
Trends in increasing light pollution
Effects of light pollution on wildlife and ecology and humans
Misconceptions on link between crime and lighting
The National Park education programme in schools and Communities
Simple ways to reduce light pollution with dark sky friendly lighting
Module 3 – Encouraging star gazing and marketing opportunities
How to organise your own star gazing party and make your property dark sky friendly
Workshop: telescopes, binoculars and set up
Introduction to local organisations running dark sky events and offering information
How to take advantage of National Park dark sky marketing and link in with regional promotions
After the training each business will be given:
A stargazing manual with key facts and figures and summaries of modules
A pack of simple stargazing activities for their clients to use
A list of local contact groups with star gazing events
Astronomers are Welcome
Dark Sky Friendly Accommodation in the
Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Reserve
ASTRONOMERS ARE WELCOME
Weighting
Score
Description
Horizon
View to North horizon
0 to 15 degrees
15 to 30 degrees
the lower sky
No good horizon
View to West horizon
0 to 15 degrees
15 to 30 degrees
the lower sky
No good horizon
View to East horizon
0 to 15 degrees
15 to 30 degrees
the lower sky
No good horizon
View to South horizon
0 to 15 degrees
15 to 30 degrees
the lower sky
No good horizon
Lighting
No visible lights
more than 1 km away
1 km to 100 m away
less than 100m away
3
2
Few if any trees or any obstructions to the horizon
Some trees that obscure a significant proportion of
0
5
3
0
5
3
0
9
4
0
11
8
3
0
No lights can be seen from the site
Very distant lights only
Occasional street light at distance
Hardstanding 3
2
0
Concrete or paving – not boards/ decking
i.e. a maintained lawn
Uneven ground or sloping
Facilities
Ground quality
Mown grass
Rough ground
Power
Mains power at observing site
1
Protection
break
Some protection from wind
2
Could be a low wall or similar to act as a wind
Other
Owner
Can offer loan/rent of equipment and advice 10
Can offer advice/ charts etc. but no equipment 5
No experience
0
Score
4* Site
3* Site
2* Site
1* Site
=
=
=
=
40
30
20
10
to
to
to
to
50
40
30
20
points
points
points
points
13.3
Education and Events
A core part of our project is to educate local residents – adults and children – in the
problem of encroaching light pollution and the effects it has on viewing the night sky as well
as on biodiversity and human health. We also aim to inspire everyone to learn more about
the night sky and promote opportunities for everyone to enjoy these – building a whole
body of ambassadors for this special feature.
As part of this we have developed:
- An education programme covering all schools in and on the periphery of the
National Park
- An Events Programme
- A community engagement programme
- A Volunteer and Staff Training programme programmes and training courses
Education Programme
The National Park is one of the premier education destinations in the UK. Not only are
there 24 schools within the National Park, many schools and colleges use the Park for their
field studies (particularly for geography, environmental science and history). About half a
million children and young people use the National Park for field studies, outdoor learning
and outdoor pursuits and activities annually. Of these, around 30,000 actually visit one of
the three National Park Visitor Centres.
The NPA’s education service delivers its education programmes at its own Field Study
Centre and at its two main visitor centres and at each of the individual schools in and on the
periphery of the National Park.
As part of the Dark Sky project, the NPA’s Education Team is delivering a targeted set of
lessons to schools within the Park as well as incorporating Dark Sky education into its
existing programmes. The Dark Sky Education Programme has its core aim to demonstrate
to pupils:
 What is special about the Brecon Beacons National Park and its night sky
 How the night sky can be enjoyed
 Growing problem of light pollution
 Effects of light pollution on wildlife, environment and climate
 International Dark Skies Association and the Reserve accreditation
We are conducting this in conjunction with the University of Glamorgan and volunteers
from the Brecon Beacons Park Society and astronomical societies.
The key outputs of this programme are:
 Develop a lesson/session plan that delivers the above education content and deliver
that in schools.
 Following sessions in schools, deliver, with partners, star viewing opportunities
 Development of an activity booklet
One of the activities is for pupils to develop
storyboards about the effects of light pollution on
bats and what they can do to help curb light
pollution. Examples are given below.
In addition, the Education Service produces a
newsletter for all school children and teachers and
the latest edition (right) features the Dark Skies
project. We aim to keep awareness high using this
and communications with all study centres in the
National Park.
The Dark Sky Education Programme is targeting
all 24 schools in the National Park (4 secondary and
20 primary), aiming to engage 2000 pupils.
In addition the BBNP is collaborating with the Storey Arms schools and further education
centre to add a Dark Sky element to their curriculum. This will alert an additional 3,500
young people to the issue of Light Pollution.
Storyboard activities (example and completed example)
Events Programme
Also key to our education programme is a series of
Stargazing Events. To date the National Park
Authority has held 12 public stargazing events and
had a total of just over 700 participants across those
events. We are planning two more in 2013 and
another event to launch the IDA accreditation if we
are successful.
Many of these events have been held at the NPA’s
two main visitor centres both of which are in the critical buffer zone. These centres attract
around 250,000 people each year and are ideal venues for stargazing and promoting Dark
Skies throughout the year.
Some feedback from our latest event:
It was a fantastic evening! The planetarium was excellent, the talk
incredibly interesting and thought provoking and the food delicious!
Thanks so much for organising! Eleanor Weeks-Bell, Local Resident
“Joseph loved the blow up planetarium last night with Beavers. “
Katherine – a Mum of one of the Llangynidr Beavers
I just wanted to say thank you very much for this evening. The Brownies
thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you again, Rachel, Brownie Leader and Local Resident
It was a great night and every person who came along to the hall was so
up beat about it. Dave was brilliant in the planetarium and the walk in
the dark up to the hall proved to be a great laugh too! Thank you so
much for helping us put on this event which I think will be remembered
for a long time to come. Clare Wright , Tourism Businesswoman, Talybont
Excellent evening - we had a great time - loved the planetarium, space themed beers and the talk by
the Astrobotanist (one of the coolest job titles I've ever heard!). Thanks for organising such a good
event. Jon Dixon, Local Resident
In addition to these events at these centres we have supported our first community driven
starparty in November in Talybont. We have also been active in promoting Dark Sky at
some of Wales’s most high profile events – in particular one in June for the Queen’s Jubilee,
which was attended by the Queen herself.
The National Park Authority made Dark Skies its main feature at the 2012 Royal Welsh
Show, Wales’s main agricultural event which attracts 241,000 over three days and is
attended by UK and Welsh Government ministers and prominent Welsh figures.
Forthcoming events include:
- Community starparty in Llangynidr village in March 2013
- Full programme of stargazing events at the National Park Visitor Centre throughout
2013 – see www.breconbeacons.org/darkskies for details
- Event at the Welsh National Government Building for Government Ministers and
Representatives
- High profile debate in the Government Building on light pollution and developing a
national standard for lighting guidelines in Wales
- Hopefully (!) an International Dark Sky Reserve Celebration
BBNPA Chair Julie James and
Environment Minister John Griffiths at
this year’s Royal Welsh Show stand
Children entering the planetarium at
the Queen’s Jubilee Event
13.4
National (Wales) and Local Government
The Brecon Beacons Dark Sky initiative has the support of the Welsh Government, as is
illustrated by the letter of support from the Minister for the Environment and an invitation
to the Park to host a Dark Sky event and Seminar at the Welsh parliament. Over time the
Park (and its anti Light Pollution allies) intends to influence the evolution of national lighting
policy in Wales.
The local government councils of neighbouring counties have their own planning policies
which address the problem of light pollution to varying degrees.
(Note: In the parts of their counties that are inside the BBNP the Park’s Planning policies
are superior and replace those of the county).
Powys County Council Unitary Development Plan
Policy DC3 - External Lighting
Proposals involving external lighting will not be permitted where they would cause:
1. a nuisance or hazard to highway users;
2. unacceptable levels of light pollution, especially in the countryside;
3. harm to the character and appearance of any building or the surrounding environment;
4. adverse impact on wildlife.
Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan
ENV14: Development including proposals for external lighting should include an appropriate
lighting scheme to ensure:
a) lighting is necessary for the development;
b) the proposed lighting is the minimum required;
c) light spillage is minimised;
d) the prevention of glare and respect for the amenity of neighbouring land uses;
e) the visual character of the built and natural environment is not unacceptably affected and
dark skies are retained where appropriate; and
f) potential impacts on rare, threatened or protected species are taken into consideration
Carmarthenshire Deposit Local Development Plan (i.e.not yet fully operational)
Policy EP2 Pollution
Proposals for development should wherever possible seek to minimise the impacts of
pollution. New developments will be required to:
 Ensure that light and noise pollution are where appropriate minimised;
None of these policies of neighbouring County Councils are as strong in terms of addressing
light pollution as those of the BBNP. It is the intention of the Park to help its neighbours to
move with us on this matter by continuing to share our planning policies and strategies with
them.
13.5 Agency and Club Partnership Working
Collaborative Working
We have worked hard to cultivate relationships
with a number of regional organisations to not
only help us gain Dark Sky accreditation but also
tackle encroaching light pollution, reduce light
pollution in and on the periphery of the National
Park and create opportunities for the residents
and visitors to enjoy the night sky.
All local astronomical societies are engaged. We
run regular events with Usk, Abergavenny, Heads of the Valleys, Cardiff and Swansea
societies. We also promote their work and activities on our website. It is through this
collaborative work that the longer term aim of on-going education and campaigning to
reduce light pollution will continue.
In recognition of the fact that areas adjacent to the National Park have a significant impact
on our night skies, but also that we want this to be part of a wider campaign to promote the
value of the night sky, we have been active in
pursuing projects beyond the proposed designated
area. In the South Wales Valleys we are working
with the government backed initiative Valleys
Regional Park who are designating a number of
Dark Sky discovery sites and are holding a Dark Sky
Discovery festival. As part of this we collaboration
share promotion, skilled staff and are developing
joint events.
In the Elan Valley, an area to the north of the
National Park, we are working with local
organisations to investigate the potential of setting
up Dark Sky Discovery areas and again are sharing
resources and expertise, particularly in relation to reversing light pollution and protecting
the area’s dark skies. These two areas are shown on the map to the left.
We are also working with the University of Glamorgan and Dark Sky
Wales, as well as local communities, to gain Dark Sky Discovery Site status
for a number of sites within and on the periphery of the National Park. The
accreditation scheme is administered by the UK Dark Sky Discovery
partnership - a network of national and local astronomy and environmental
organisations which aims to:
• Engage people from diverse backgrounds with the night sky;
• Encourage positive attitudes towards science and technology;
• Support the development of dark sky places, awareness and tourism
• Develop a national network of dark sky communicators;
• Create long-lasting organisational partnerships in this area.
A Dark Sky Discovery Site is a place that aims to help local people, visitors, schools and
groups to enjoy the night sky. The Sites are publicised on the website
www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk.
To gain this designation, the site must meet all the following criteria:
 The Site should be 100m² (10mx10m) in area. This is small enough to be defined
clearly by an 8 figure Grid Reference and large enough to be used by a visiting group
of 30 people. In many cases, the Site will be part of a wider park or open space
which has other locations which don’t match the other criteria (e.g. darkness,
sightlines, access, safety) in the same way as the core Site.
 The site must meet one of these levels: · One Star Site: The seven main stars in
Orion are visible to the naked eye or Two Star Site: The Milky Way is visible to the
naked eye.
 The site should provide relatively good sightlines of the horizon in all directions.
 Ideally, the site will be freely open to the public. However, it may be necessary for
people to make special arrangements to visit. The Site must be accessible to a
wheelchair user.
There are eight sites proposed for the Brecon Beacons National Park area, shown on the
map below.
13.6
Other Outreach and Promotional Activity
In addition to the above activity we have promoted our project and enjoyment of the
Night Sky in various other ways. We have written a number of newsletter articles
which have been circulated to over 100,000 residents and businesses, not only in the
Brecon Beacons but also across Wales and the UK. These have included articles in the
Geopark, Tourism Business, Community Engagement, Community Organisation
newsletters and to community councils.
We also have created a dedicated set of web pages on the main Brecon Beacons
website. This includes
latest news, all regional
events, audio and video
clips, our latest podcast
and a list of the best areas
to view the night sky within
the Park. This has
generated a number of
enquries and we have been
working with our front line
staff to be able to answer
these. We have kept up a
proactive social media
strategy and have used
facebook and twitter to promote our work.
13.7 Volunteer and Staff Training Programme
We have been proactive recruiting volunteers to help with education and outreach events.
To date over 20 members of National Park Staff, Park Society officials and volunteers have
undertaken a Dark Sky training programme. The aims for this full day workshop were:






Learn what can be observed in the night sky
Discover why light pollution is affecting the night sky
The effects on wildlife and humans
Learn how to run stargazing activities
Contact groups who will assist with their running
Take home a pack of simple stargazing activities
This created a ready bank of volunteers and staff who have been able to help with events
and are also available to help with the education programme.
14.0
Lighting Improvements
In terms of lighting improvements in and around the Brecon Beacons National Park, the
focus has been on  Problem areas within the Core Zone and Critical Buffer Zones (i.e. those that have
the largest impact on the darkest areas of the Park)
 Street Lighting - the largest overall contributor to light pollution in the Park
The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority does not have the statutory power to force
individuals, organisations, businesses or local government to replace non conformant
external lighting. A strategy of education and persuasion was therefore necessary. Indeed
we believe this approach is preferable as it will both raise the awareness of the problem of
Light Pollution and increase the buy in to finding solutions both now and in the future.
14.1 Problem Areas within the Core and Critical Buffer Zones
14.1.1 Problem Areas in the Core Zone
Property Number 2.34 - This is the largest property in the Core Zone, it is a residential
outdoor centre for Cardiff school groups. It is located in the centre of the Core Zone
immediately adjacent to the A470 road. This ease of access and its isolated hillside
environment makes it a potential venue for astronomy groups. There is natural tree
shielding round one side of the property, however the front which faces the road can be
seen from the opposite hillside. The safety and security of the residential school children
was uppermost in the minds of the centre management team when the current external
floodlighting was installed several years prior to the problem of light pollution being
generally recognised.
The findings of the Lighting Audit were 20 lights, of which 11 were compliant.
Subsequent meetings with the centre management have been very positive with several
lights having been turned off immediately, others angled down, plans being put in place for
further improvements and the Centre management has given its support to the BBDS
initiative. They have also obtained quotes for the work necessary to become 100%
conformant, and financial arrangements are being put in place.
A reassessment of this property by a BBNP lighting engineer consultant, post the Lighting
Audit, determined the current status as 20 lights, 17 conformant (a permanently switched
off light being considered conformant).
The impact of these changes is to raise the overall compliance within the Core
Zone from 67% to 72% (with further improvements expected when the planned
improvement are implemented).
Property Number 5.39 - Is a tourism business and private residence located near the southern
end of the Talybont reservoir. The findings of the Lighting Audit were 15 lights, of which 6
were compliant. Subsequent discussions have been positive. A plan of the property and its
external lighting was drawn up by the owner as input to discussion with the BBNP on what
improvements should be made and advice on appropriate new fittings has been provided by
the BBNP’s lighting engineering consultant.
Interest was also shown by the owner in the proposed Dark Sky Friendly business
accreditation scheme. Considerable improvements are expected in a relatively short
timescale.
The Core Zone Lighting Improvement Plan
The Lighting Audit carried out by an independent Lighting Engineer consultant (who had
been previously involved in the successful applications to the IDA by Galloway, Sark, and
Exmoor) surprisingly found a 67% compliance level for the external lighting in the Core
Zone. Exactly on the IDA requirement (as noted above the compliance levee has since
been improved to 72%).
The plan to get the Core Zone up to 95% compliant within 5 years is to continue the
education and encouragement strategy that has been employed so far in the BBNP’s
campaign against light pollution. When the two problem properties above become fully
compliant, which we expect to be the case in less than a year, the Core Zone will be 83%
compliant (from a 67% starting level). This would leave only 14 lights over 5 properties to
be addressed to get the conformance level to over 95% (and an additional 5 to get to 100%).
As there was a highly encouraging response from the Park residents during the Lighting
Audit (only 3 owners from over 200 did not wish to participate) this is not expected to be a
problem over a 5 year timescale. Additionally, 2 of these 5 properties have tourism business
interests, so we believe that the proposed Dark Sky Friendly business scheme will
encourage them to improve their external lighting. A Property Self Assessment Guide will
be derived from Appendix F of the LMP and distributed to residents and businesses
throughout the Park. Finally, as a contingency measure, funding will be raised to allow a
degree of financial support to be offered where necessary.
The expected improvement over time of the Core Zone compliance level is shown
diagrammatically below. The improvement activities and their timescales which this
projection is derived from are part of the BBNP’s 5 year Light Pollution Plan (please see
Section 15 of this application).
Core Zone Compliance
100
90
80
70
60
% 50
40
30
20
10
0
IDSR (2012) Yr1 (2013) Yr2 (2014) Yr3 (2015 Yr4 (2016) Yr5 (2017)
14.1.2 Problem Areas in the Critical Buffer Zones
Property Number 8.13 - This is a Welsh Water Dwr Cymru water supply complex
immediately south of the Llwyn-On reservoir dam in Critical Buffer Zone 8. The findings of
the Lighting Audit were 40 lights, of which 0 were compliant.
Extremely positive discussions have taken place with senior Welsh Water Dwr Cymru
management. The company already has a very active environmental department which has a
budget in place for improvements to external lighting at its sites. The lighting diagram for
the site was reviewed with the BBNP, as was the outcome of a survey of staff views on the
lighting needed to carry out their work, the site was inspected and some immediate
improvements suggested. Welsh Water Dwr Cymru are now very much on board with the
anti light pollution agenda and have written a letter of support for the Brecon Beacons Dark
Sky initiative. Further meetings are being scheduled between Welsh Water Dwr Cymru and
the BBNP lighting consultants to decide how best to improve the lighting, not only at this
site but also at the other two Welsh Water Dwr Cymru pumping and purification site in the
Park.
A reassessment of property 8.13 was carried out by a BBNP lighting consultant during a site
visit and determined that currently of the 40 lights 6 are compliant (cf 0 compliant at the
time of the Lighting Audit).
It is fully expected that Welsh Water Dwr Cymru will become highly compliant at all their
sites within the Park in a relatively short space of time. Further meetings will explore the
possibility of building light pollution considerations into their policy and operations
nationally.
Property Number 8.11 - Is a Forestry Commission Visitor Centre above the northern end of
the Llwyn-On reservoir in Critical Buffer Zone 8. The findings of the Lighting Audit were 74
lights, of which 34 were compliant. Additionally the car park lighting was left on even after
the centre closed.
Discussions are underway between the Forestry Commission and the BBNPA at senior
management level. Given that the Forestry Commission led the way in the UK on Dark
Skies with its Galloway Forest Park’s successful application to the IDA for IDSP status, a
positive outcome is expected. Additionally the after hours illumination of the car park was
in reaction to a serious crime at the centre. Alternatives are being explored.
14.2 Street Lighting
The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority does not have responsibility for, or control
over, street lighting within the National Park boundaries. This lies with the Local
Government (County Councils) for the Counties whose boundaries overlap that of the
Park. Powys and Monmouthshire together have 91% of the population of the Park. As a
result work on street lighting has focussed on these two Counties, and has addressed both
the lights inside the Park and in the areas of those counties outside the Park boundary.
There are two strands to the reduction in Light Pollution from street lighting
 Replacement of existing lights with poor light pollution characteristics by more
appropriate and effective equipment
 Turning off, diming, or part night lit operation of existing lights
For some time the Brecon Beacons Dark Sky project has been in discussion with local
government lighting engineers to learn about their plans and to help influence their thinking
on light pollution.
14.2.1 Powys County
Powys County Council’s current policies on external lighting in general and street lighting in
particular are Powys County Council Unitary Development Plan
Policy DC3 - External Lighting
Proposals involving external lighting will not be permitted where they would cause:
1. a nuisance or hazard to highway users;
2. unacceptable levels of light pollution, especially in the countryside;
3. harm to the character and appearance of any building or the surrounding environment;
4. adverse impact on wildlife.
Powys County Council Street lighting Policy(Guidance for Suppliers)
Lanterns shall:
Generally be provided with "fully cut off" glass or "shallow dished polycarbonate
glazing", consideration will be given to alternate types of lantern in certain
installations, subject to the prior approval of the Street Lighting Manager or
nominated representative
Be fitted with a photo-electric control unit [PECU] socket located on the canopy
for the installation of a one-piece electronic PECU.
Additionally Powys has a policy of reducing street lighting by turning off lights and/or part
night illumination only (off from 00.30 – 5.30).
Powys has 11,115 street lights in total.
In 2008 the number of street lights On all night = 11,115
In 2012 the number of street lights On all night = 8,520
(including pro rata counting of part night lit lights)
This is a reduction of 2595 street light equivalents (see Note below) i.e. 23% of the total
stock over the last four years in the county of Powys as a whole.
Note: Street Light Equivalents (sle)
All places on the planet have an average of 12 hours darkness per year. If a street light is off
for 5 hours per night then over the year it is equivalent to 7/12ths of a street light in terms
of its light output. So for example if 12 street lights are turned off for 5 hours per night they
would be counted as 7 street light equivalents for comparison purposes. The improvement
of the standard of street lights by the installation of flat glass fully cut off fittings is subject to
budget constraints and the timescales of obsolescence of the lighting stock in place.
However good progress is being made as all replacements over the last four years have
been fully shielded flat glass (with a few exceptions for specific reasons).
Powys County Council have recently (Oct 2012) allocated £1.4 million to
continue this policy and replace all street light fitting with ones which will be
compliant with IDA criteria.
Some examples of the positive effect of the flat glass installation policy on communities
within the National Park Community
Number of Street Lights
Total
Flat Glass / Full Cut Off
Sennybridge
77
70
Bwlch
27
26
Trecastle
22
19
Other communities such as Brecon (976/227) and Hay-on-Wye (191/50) are work in
progress and will be addressed in their turn.
The Lighting Audit showed a 23% flat glass (and 29% flat glass or low profile) level of
conformance for the area of Powys within the Park.
Street Lighting Case Studies of Communities with the BBNP
Talgarth
Total On Off
108 66 24
Part Lit
18 (= 10 street light equivalents)
In four years the number of street light equivalents has decreased from 108 to 76, a 30%
reduction. Additionally there is a 12% flat glass score (8% were installed over the last four
years).
Llangorse
Total On Off
48 13 12
Part Lit
15 (= 9 street light equivalents)
Over the last four years the number of street light equivalents has decreased from 48 to 22,
a 54% decrease.
However Llangorse has not yet reached the obsolescence stage of its street light stock and
as a result has not yet benefitted from Powys’s policy of replacement with flat glass and is
currently only 5% flat glass conformant.
14.2.2 Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire County Council’s policy on external lighting is –
ENV14: Development including proposals for external lighting should include an appropriate
lighting scheme to ensure:
a) lighting is necessary for the development;
b) the proposed lighting is the minimum required;
c) light spillage is minimised;
d) the prevention of glare and respect for the amenity of neighbouring land uses;
e) the visual character of the built and natural environment is not unacceptably affected and
dark skies are retained where appropriate; and
f) potential impacts on rare, threatened or protected species are taken into consideration
Additionally their Street Lighting Policy states The provision of lighting and the type of lighting to be employed should be in accordance
with the Institution of Lighting Engineers Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Light
Pollution. These notes provide a recognized means of zoning areas for environmental
purposes when assessing lighting requirements.
Zone E1National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sites of Special
Scientific Importance and Other Dark Areas
And For all lighting designs, consideration be given to the restriction of obtrusive light by:
 control of the light source
 Restricting the level of light emitted above the horizontal
 Use of full horizontal cut off lighting in Zones El and E2 and in other areas where
such control is considered appropriate.
Additionally Monmouthshire County Council are in the process of installing a Central
Management System for street lighting with the objective of 50% diming of all street lights
overnight (between the hours of 22.00 and 5.00). The Lighting Audit found 444 street lights
in the Monmouthshire section of the National Park, therefore the planned diming strategy
will reduce the number of street light equivalents from 444 to 315 (assuming 50% diming for
7 hours for all of the lights), a 29% reduction.
Note:
444 lights on for 5 hours out of 12, at full power = 444x5/12
= 185 sle
444 lights on for 7 hours out of 12, at half power = 444x7/12x0.5 = 130 sle
Giving a total of 315 sle under the diming strategy.
In the Monmouthshire section of the Park the street lighting stock is currently 7% flat glass
(12% flat glass or low profile). In practice all new/replacement lights are flat glass full cut off
which will improve this score over time.
The three BBNP communities below illustrate how flat glass street lighting is being installed
in stages in Monmouthshire, as the equipment obsolescence schedule allows.
Community
Number of Street Lights
Total Flat Glass/Full Cut Off
Clydach
48
0 (0%)
Gilwern
279
27 (13%)
Govilon
50
20 (40%)
14.3 Summary
The conformance level of external lights in the Core Zone, as assessed by the Lighting
Audit, meets the 67% IDA target exactly. Good progress has already been made on
improving this score, with the conformance level at the time of writing being 72%, and plans
are in place to reach the required 95% level within 5 years. Problem areas within the Critical
Buffer Zones are being addressed and good progress is being made in collaboration with
Local Government on street lighting.
15.0
The Future
The BBNP will continue its programme of events to raise community awareness, generate
support and will encourage village initiated stargazing events where the community turns off
its external lights and the local council turns off the street lighting.
The Park will continue addressing problem lighting areas within and near its boundaries.
Work to establishment of an observatory within the BBNP will carry on apace. A telescope
has already been donated by the University of Glamorgan and the task of obtaining funding
for the construction of a small building to house it is underway. Collaboration will also
continue with the University on further development of the Dark Sky aspect of their
Practical Astronomy degree course.
The Park Authority and Society will hold a Dark Sky Awareness event and Light Pollution
Seminar at the Welsh parliament and will endeavour to influence the Welsh Government on
Light Pollution policy and establish National Lighting Guidelines. In addition to continuing to
collaborate with neighbouring local councils on development of their light pollution policies
we will also continue to help them establish multiple Dark Sky Discovery sites in the area to
complement the BBNP’s dark skies. An assessment of the commercial and environmental
impact of the Brecon Beacons Dark Sky project will be carried out.
Monitoring and continual improvement of the night sky of the Brecon Beacons will be an
on-going process through the collaboration with the University of Glamorgan and local
Astronomy Societies. The feasibility of creating a second Core Zone in the Black Mountains
will be assessed.
Brecon Beacons IDSR 5 Year Plan
2013
Lighting Improvements
Negotiations with Property Owners
Core Zone (Problem Properties)
Core Zone (Touism Properties)
Core Zone (Residual Properties)
Critical Buffer Zones (Business)
Buffer Zone (Larger Communities)
Establish a Dark Sky Friendly Accreditiation Scheme
Contingency Fundraising (to support lightings upgrades)
Lighting Manufactures/Retailer Sponsorship
Collaboration with Local Councils on Light Pollution
Lighting Control
All new external lighting subject to Lighting Management Plan
Ongoing Outreach Programme
Schools
Outdoor/Adventure Centres
Youth Groups (Scouts and Guides)
Support of Community Driven Events
Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Newsletter
Tourism and Other Businesses Education
Establish Brecon Beacons Observatory
National (Wales) Level Events and Negotiations
Dark Sky Event and Seminar at the Welsh Parliament
Influence Welsh Government on Light Pollution Policy
Monitoring
Night Sky Quality
External Lighting
2014
2015
2016
2017
Appendices
A: IDSR Eligibility
The IDSR Eligibility Criteria are reproduced in this Appendix with references in italics to
relevant sections in this Application.
A. The core of the IDSR must be a public or a private land protected for scientific, natural,
educational, cultural, heritage and/or public enjoyment mission AND;
Sections 2, 3 and 9.1 address these criteria
B. The core of the IDSR is encouraged to provide the opportunity for public nighttime
access. A section of designated land (preferably within or near the core) may meet this
requirement for a portion of time AND;
National Parks in the UK are not gated and there are no general restrictions on access to the
Park at any time. Additionally the Core is almost entirely Open Access Land which means that
access by the public is guaranteed by law, save for temporary prearranged occasions when
access to some areas of the Core may be limited for particular reasons such as wildlife
conservation(see Sections 2 and 3). See Section 13 for information on the Brecon Beacons
programmes to provide and encourage dark sky experiences to the public.
C. The core of the IDSR must have identified the sources of light pollution through
calculations, maps, photographs or any other proper method AND clearly identify
actual and future threats to the sky quality. They must then define appropriate areas of
protection outside the core AND;
Sections 4,5,9 and 11 address these criteria
D. The peripheral area must be a minimum of 700 km. (435 miles squared) around the
core (roughly equivalent to a 15 km/9.5 mile radius) OR an area sufficient to mitigate
80% of current and expected future light pollution threats AND;
Sections 3 and 9 address these criteria
E. Core of the IDSR must have an outstanding dark sky resource relative to the
population it serves and have local, regional and/or national significant dark sky
resources. Core night sky quality must fit in one of the three tier qualifications Gold,
Silver, or Bronze.
Section 10 addresses these criteria
B: IDSR Requirements
A) Regulation or lighting guidelines should be adopted by the communities to a proportion
corresponding to at least 80% of population AND 80% of designated area of protection
within the entire IDSR (core and periphery). The regulation should address all private
and public owners of communities within the area of protection. Some exceptions may
apply but are subject to IDA approval. In general though, the following minimum
standards apply:
Lighting Guidelines will apply to 100% of the population (businesses and organisations) within
the Park boundaries (see Sections 2, 11 and 12).
1) Any lighting fixtures containing lamps emitting 1000 lm or more shall use fully
shielded fixtures emitting no light at or above the horizontal, AND;
Plan Statement 4
2) The type of lamp (color, efficiency, technology) to be used has been considered by
carefully choosing appropriate energy efficiency technology and methods for
minimizing impact to wildlife, stargazing activities, and nocturnal scenery, AND;
Section 11
Self Assessment Guidelines (Section 14)
LMP (Especially Sections 2 and 3, and Appendices C,D,E and F)
3) The appropriate amount of lighting is being used when it needs to be used for
specific areas and tasks ;
LMP (Section 3.1)

Standards may be more restrictive when close to the core and less restrictive
when farther from the core;
Plan Statement 1and 2
Plan Statement 5and 6
B) Land and community commitment to dark skies and lightscape management, as shown
by:
1) The importance of dark skies/natural darkness and the benefits of good lighting
should be part of the core’s interpretation and outreach programs and of
communities’ outreach publications. If the core typically provides ranger interpretive
programs (National Parks, Wilderness Area, etc.), then dark skies should be one of
the central themes communicated through on-site interpretation. If interpretive
programs are not typically offered, then publications, flyers, press releases, media, or
other means of outreach are appropriate substitutes.
Section 13 addresses these requirements
2) Two-Thirds (67%) of existing outdoor lighting fixtures within the core conforms to
the regulation (or an alternative fraction approved by the IDA Board)AND;
Sections 11.1, 11.5 and 14 address this requirement
3) Almost all lighting (95%) within the CORE must conform, or must commit to
conform within 5 years after the certification is delivered AND;
Section 14 addresses this requirement
4) Communities must have examples of conforming lighting installations relative to the
population it serves, both on roadway AND on different private sites (industries,
stores, public services, etc):
Sections 11 and 14 address these requirements



Each participating municipality (excluding businesses, residences, and partners
without installed lighting) should have completed at least one highly visible
demonstration project with night sky friendly lighting (should include more than
10 lighting fixtures) for each 5000 citizens and/or;
Approximately 10% of total installed fixtures within the Reserve be retrofitted or
brought into compliance with the appropriate regulation or guideline and/or;
Overall BBNP compliance is assessed as 70% (see Section 11 for details)
Approximately a 15% reduction of light pollution is measured/modeled at zenith
in the core by doing a before/after measurements OR modeling, results of
awareness, regulation and/or lighting fixture retrofit.
5) Participating communities must have a program, either through education, economic
incentives, permitting, or regulation, to encourage all new outdoor lighting fixtures
to conform to the relevant regulation or guidelines for night sky friendly lighting.
Permission is required from the BBNP Authority Planning Department for all new
development in the Park. The BBDS Initiative has defined standards to be used by the
Planning Department to ensure that all new external lighting is conformant.
Additionally the on-going outreach programme will continue to raise awareness of the Light
Pollution issue and thus reduce the number of inappropriate development applications. The
aim being to encourage active participation in favour of Dark Skies rather than relying on
enforcement by the Authority which should, over time, become merely the safety net.
See Sections 2, 3, 7, 12 and 15for details
C) A measurement program must be maintained either by the core manager or by any
other public or private organization (university, research center, IDA’s section, etc) to
follow the evolution of light pollution in the core of the IDSR.
Section 15 addresses this requirement
D) Acknowledgement of the protected area, by higher than community level
(county/province/etc), in a perspective that dark skies are an important scientific,
natural, cultural, or scenic resource value as evidenced by the inclusion in official
documents (politics, protocols, management plans, etc) for long term planning.
Sections 6.1, 6.2, some of 6.3 (eg the letter from the Campaign for National Parks), and 13.5
address this requirement
E) Once established, the core must erect and maintain a sign indicating International Dark
Sky Reserve (or similar approved verbage) designation along roadway entrance, along a
footpath entrance if no roadway exists, or a visitor contact center. Sign should include
IDA IDSR text and logo.
A proposed Logo has been drafted and plans are in place for signs to be erected adjacent to
the Park boundary signs.
F) Communities within the IDSR will receive a certificate verifying the community as a part
of the IDSR. Those who wish to erect a sign will have to address a letter to IDA
referring them as a part of the IDSR and giving specific examples of their engagement
(lighting fixture replacement, outreach program, etc).
The most Dark Sky active communities are aware of this benefit and procedure. The remainder
will be informed as part of our Future programme as described in Section 15.
G) Designation is permanent, but is subject to regular review by IDA and possible
revocation if minimum requirements are not maintained. Under certain circumstances
IDA may request stricter or alternative requirements.
Our Future programme of work (Section 15) should prepare the BBNP well for IDA review. The
review will be welcome as it is viewed by the BBNP as a mechanism for receiving guidance and
advice.
C: Sky Quality Tiers
Brecon Beacons National Park
Most of the Indicators for the Core are addressed in Section 10 of this Application and are
summarised below.
Philosophy
Minor impacts from light pollution but high quality night skies
Artificial Light and Sky Glow
There are no dominant light sources and light domes are fairly close to the horizon
Visual Limiting Magnitude
The average in the Core Zone is 6.23 and the best is 6.41 NELM
Bortle Sky Class
Core Zone 3, Critical Buffer Zone 3 - 4
International Astronomical Union (IAU) Definition
Not assessed
Schaaf Class
Not assessed
Observable Sky Phenomena
The globular clusters Messier 13 (Mag 5.8), Messier 3 (Mag 6.2) and Messier 5 (Mag 6.6)
were clearly visible with the unaided eye, the galaxy Messier 81 (Mag 6.9) was also visible
with a little averted vision and 34 stars were counted in Coma Berenices (Melotte 111).
Nocturnal Environment
Very few external lights exist in the Core Zone and have little or no impact on wildlife or
the environment
Cinzano et al
Not assessed
D: Terminology
BAA: British Astronomical Association
BB: Brecon Beacons
BBDS: Brecon Beacons Dark Sky initiative
BBNP: Brecon Beacons National Park
BBNPA: Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (governing body of the Park)
CROW Act: Countryside and Rights of Way act 2000 (act of the UK parliament creating
the legal “right to roam” to the public on non cultivated land in the UK)
IDA: International Dark-Sky Association
IDSR: International Dark Sky Reserve
ILP: Institute of Lighting Professionals (the professional body for lighting engineers)
Open Access land: Land where the Crow act has granted the “right to roam”
for the public
SQM: Sky quality meter
Street Light Equivalent (lse): A measure for assessing the level of utilisation of a street
light (see section 14.2.1 for details)
The Authority: The governing body of the National Park
Zones (Core, CB,B and External): The proposed sub divisions of the IDSR
LMP: Lighting Management Plan
Property Self Assessment Guide: A document to allow property owners to assess the
level of compliance of their external lighting and identify suitable replacement equipment
UDP: Unitary Development Plan (one of the governance documents for the Park)
LDP: Local development Plan (one of the governance document of the Park, will replace
the UDP)

Application - International Dark Sky Places

Transcription

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