Conservation and Enhancement of Dark Skies in Wales

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 Wales has some of the most protected Dark Skies in the world, with Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) and Eryri (Snowdonis) both designated Dark Sky Reserves. Much like the National Planning Policy Framework in England, the Welsh equivalent (Planning Policy Wales) requires local authorities to consider the impacts of artificial lighting at night on biodiversity and Dark Skies. However, Welsh planning policy goes further than this, and in 2025 the Welsh Government published its own national guidance, Planning for the Conservation and Enhancement of Dark Skies in Wales.

This is a useful document to anyone undertaking construction development in Wales, even if not within a strictly rural area. The guidance does not rule out all lighting but does support sensitive design – ‘the right light at the right time’. Similarly, the document encourages developers to include a baseline lighting survey in planning submissions (this is a survey of the existing light levels on site).

The document supports planning authorities, developers and designers in understanding how lighting proposals can be created to protect locations where dark skies are considered a defining characteristic.