Guidance Note 08: Bats and Artificial Lighting at Night
Institute of Lighting Professionals: Guidance Note 08/2023
The Institute of Lighting Professionals (ILP) is a UK based professional organisation which publishes a series of Lighting Guides, aimed at educating lighting designers and non-specialists in lighting related matters.
Guidance Note 8, often referred to simply as GN08, has been written in collaboration with the Bat Conservation Trust and the document represents a combination of
expertise in artificial lighting relating to ecology. It is the principal document used when it comes to demonstrating compliance with the statutory requirement to protect bats in the UK, and Local Planning Authorities are looking for proposed lighting schemes (internal and external) to accord with it.
GN08 presents a range of sensitive lighting design techniques and offers specific guidance on the specification of light fittings and control systems to help minimise impacts on bats. For planning purposes, GN08 is relevant when there are bats using a site (either foraging through it or roosting on it) and Local Planning Authorities will assess the proposed lighting design in accordance with this document.
