Issues with home security lighting

gazzak007

I am planning on installing a security light with PIR but I have a small concern that a neighbour may start to complain , The issue is that the neighbour is at the bottom of my garden at a on a downhill slope , I also have my garage at the bottom of the garden on which I would like the light to shine , I think the light may shine through their window as well as my garage due to the difference in levels can the neighbour have any rights to stop me from protecting my property and can they have any rights to make me take down the light

mattogier

Can you fit barn doors to the front of the lantern to shade spill areas?

OR

Fit the lamp to the garage so that it shines down on the area concerned towards your house.

Light polution, I understand, will come under your local envirocrime unit and MAY cause problems - do you REALLY want to upset your neighbour - you could always go and discuss it with them before doing anything..

Legislation
Light pollution may be regarded as a 'nuisance' under common law, and is being added to the list of statutory nuisances in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Local authorities and people affected by light trespass will be able to take action, though there are specific exemptions for some transport and sports facilities.

CLICKY

gazzak007

Thanks , but the issue is that there is no electric to the garage at present, and as they already objected to me building the garage in the first place ( but was knocked back by the council ) I dont think they are the talking type , but I dont want to upset them , I will just have to try and angle the spot as low as poss , I also heard the the councils are very reluctant to get involved with issues such as light and noise as its far too difficult to resolve is that a true statement ?

WestonDave

In the circumstances probably all you can do is try to minimise the likely disturbance so that should you need to you can show you have tried very hard to be reasonable.

Keep the light angled as far away from their window as you can, use the minimum power light you can get away with - you probably don't need a 500W halogen - our 150W lights up our garden perfectly well to be able to see it. Keep the PIR timer set as low as practical so that the light doesn't stay on unnecessarily long, and try to get one like our front one which can be shaded to restrict detection to specific areas, so the light isn't being triggered by a cat walking down the other side of the garden.

alanobrien

gazzak007 wrote: »

I think the light may shine through their window as well as my garage due to the difference in levels can the neighbour have any rights to stop me from protecting my property and can they have any rights to make me take down the light

Yes they can...thankfully. If they complain to the local environmental protection team and they find in their favour they will issue you with an abatement notice. Put yourself in their shoes, how would you like it if someone directed a light at your bedroom window at night !
Some more info here on the legalities;
http://www.stratford.gov.uk/community/Lighting.cfm?source=left

OK, that said you have a right to protect your property. Take a look here
http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/burglary/burglary45.htm
You will see that many local police forces recommend the use of energy efficient low energy dusk till dawn lighting. There is also a paper you can download on light positioning etc if you do decide to go with spotlights.

gazzak007

I have read all the link and taken the advise onboard,