Neighbour has put up a bright light that points into my garden - what can I do

Hannimal

First off, apologies if this is in the wrong section of this forum.

We have a shared path/ alley at the back of my garden. It is a private alleyway with residents of my street and the street behind us having access to it. There has been an ongoing discussion about installing some gates there due to petty crime and trespassing. I haven't paid much notice but that is the only discussion I have been included in. Tonight, just now, I noticed that at some point today one of my neighbours has put up a bright streetlight onto the alleyway behind my garden. This looks like a properly wired in street lamp that stands maybe 3-4 meters above ground. The spotlight points straight into my garden lighting it up, and it is incredibly bright. I am in my office and I noticed it switching on even though I had my lights on and curtains closed. 

This is clearly something very new, it was not there last night or I would have noticed it. It impacts on the privacy of my garden quite substantially and also just why would anyone put it up there, it's ridiculous! Anyway, from the position it is not clear who it belongs to. It is on a shared path, right outside my garden wall, pointing into my garden. How do I go on about this? Is it a matter of just knocking on peoples' doors and asking around? What do I do when I do find out who put it there? 

Irishpearce26

This is an interesting dilemma;
1) You have the added benefit of security in your garden as light puts criminals off.
2) You didn't pay much attention to what other residents were discussing regarding the shared access area so they all agreed on a light in the area of topic.
3) Check the deeds/land registry etc to see if this is an infringement or if it goes against a covenant 
4) Is it really impacting your property? Ask around as to who set it if they could adjust it to not shine so much into your property.

Either way figure out the facts, ask the right questions and then take action but be prepared that you may upset some people.

theoretica

If it is a modern LED lamp (which I expect it is) the technical solution will be a glare shield.  Basically something up at the lamp that casts a shadow in your garden but leaves the alleyway bright.

NameUnavailable

If it's a 'proper streetlamp' then maybe the council have put it there?

moneysavinghero

1) You have the added benefit of security in your garden as light puts criminals off.

Criminals are actually quite fond of lights, it help's them see what they are doing. Much easier than messing about with torches.

dimbo61

It's powered by electricity so I guess someone is paying unless they have tapped into the local street lights. I am sure they can adjust the angle so it points downwards 

greatcrested

Rather than asking totally random people from all over the country, why not see what your neighbours say when you express concern?

A nice cake can break the ice....

Irishpearce26

moneysavinghero said:

1) You have the added benefit of security in your garden as light puts criminals off.

Criminals are actually quite fond of lights, it help's them see what they are doing. Much easier than messing about with torches.

Not if it lights a great area, crime watch state factually the greater light presence the less likely someone is going to commit a crime. Human nature i guess as it means you could be seen.

Davesnave

I doubt if it was installed in darkness and if it's very new this will be the first time anyone has seen exactly where it points. It may be a case of adjusting the angle or fitting a shield, but it's a little premature to be coming here for advice before speaking with your neighbours first!

Hannimal

NameUnavailable said:

If it's a 'proper streetlamp' then maybe the council have put it there?

It is on a private road not maintained by the council.

greatcrested said:

Rather than asking totally random people from all over the country, why not see what your neighbours say when you express concern?

A nice cake can break the ice....

I was asking how to go about this. There are A LOT of neighbours here and I can't go knocking on doors mid-pandemic. Thanks for your helpful response though

Hannimal

theoretica said:

If it is a modern LED lamp (which I expect it is) the technical solution will be a glare shield.  Basically something up at the lamp that casts a shadow in your garden but leaves the alleyway bright.

Yes. It is brighter than the sun but I think maybe part solar powered?? as it seems to dim a bit later on. Or it did last night. 

As an interesting update, my neighbour from next door came to complain to me about the light this morning, as they get some of the glare. He was much more upset about it than I am and he said he'd investigate. I'll follow him up in a few days.