We enjoy getting stuck into planning reports. In addition to helping solve fairly complex problems involving lots of different stakeholders, we love the opportunity to collaborate with architects, landscape architects, developers and other consultants who come together in the process. It’s an excellent way for a small studio like ours to establish meaningful connections, even though they’re often desktop exercises. On the other hand, this works well for us from here in Sweden.
So, do you really need to hire a lighting design consultant to help with the planning process? We often get asked this question and the unhelpful answer is… it depends. Is the programme time critical? Does the developer, authority or type of scheme have any unique attributes that pose a risk?
We know the value lighting consultants can add to the planning process, but we also understand that there may be reasons why our services might not be sought. It could be that people are comfortable doing it themselves, or that budget constraints are an issue. Either way, we thought it would be worthwhile outlining the role that a lighting consultant can play in the process. But first…
Why is information about lighting needed for planning?
Much like any other aspect of a planning application, most local authorities require some information on the proposed lighting for any public realm development that isn’t a private dwelling. This is primarily to protect existing residents, flora and fauna, and to help provide coherence in the lighting of often complex urban landscapes. The lighting requirements will vary, of course, depending on factors such as the scale and type of development, its environment, existing nearby dwellings, the local planning authority and most likely, bats.
At what stage should a lighting consultant get involved?
In terms of timing, it’s best for us to get involved once the architectural masterplan has been developed and all of the relevant project planning needs identified, such as environmental, security, commercial, heritage, etc.
A lighting consultant’s role in the process can be split into three key parts:
1. Digesting A LOT of information
The first step will likely involve digesting a lot of information. A good example is an ongoing development we’re involved in called Thomas Lane Yard in Lewisham, South London. The lighting had to consider the wider Catford Architectural Masterplan, the Catford Town Centre Framework Plan, pre-application presentations, heritage surveys, bat surveys and cost plan, amongst other things.
The project includes new build and renovation with each being run by different architects – and there’s an ambitious landscape designer on board too. The biggest challenge at this stage is not to be overly protective of the design and placement of light fixtures, but instead to understand the overall project direction and ambition, along with who all the involved consultants or representatives are.
This project demonstrates how lighting touches the work of dozens of other consultants. So, getting up to speed with everything from emergency vehicle routes to bat commuting corridors and cost plans is essential, as these factors – plus everything in between – will have a bearing on what can and cannot be proposed in terms of lighting.
2. Develop a strategy
After the initial deep dive, developing a strategy is next and it's important to find the right people within the team to answer your questions. Is the aim to create a night-time economy or family friendly areas? Is the space subject to a wider development plan? Who is responsible for the power? What is the area's crime rating? How is the project being procured and how will the scheme be maintained? Once anyone with an overlap in lighting has been consulted, you can start adding detail to the strategy.
With the increasing desire of councils to move towards smarter cities, lighting control should also form part of the discussion, yet it's often under-represented at the planning stage – this is where a lighting consultant can provide valuable support. It’s also worth noting that as more authorities embark on joint ventures with developers, PFI maintenance contracts are being used, which can limit the products that can be specified. Once again, a lighting consultant's expertise can help navigate these limitations.
In addition to the lighting design meeting the project's aesthetic, practical and budgetary constraints, the lighting consultant should engage with other consultants whose requirements can influence the lighting to make sure that the approach doesn’t fall short of security, environmental or maintenance requirements, etc. Early discussions can help find a healthy middle ground and provide the necessary evidence for planners to ensure things don’t derail.
3. Develop a lighting scheme masterplan
Large commercial schemes are often detailed years after the initial architects create the original masterplan, sometimes developed by a different design team or by the lead contractor. The final step, therefore, is to develop a lighting masterplan that is watertight where needed but that also highlights where the incumbent detailed designer needs to provide more technical input and where there is room for the design to evolve.
A good example is the use of catenary lighting, which is increasingly popular in new build projects and where anchoring cabling to facades can be planned early on. A catenary scheme declutters the landscape and provides efficient coverage of light and human scale. Yet it often leaves a scope gap in terms of maintenance, power and cable system design, so a strategy needs to be agreed at the planning stage. During planning, the quantity, style and distribution of lights can often be determined as well as key datums for fixing cables, while still allowing some flexibility for the contractor to make adjustments on site.
Dark sky lighting applications, while usually less complicated in scale and parties involved, still pose challenges in meeting design requirements. Last year, we worked on a successful planning application for Aysgarth Falls Hotel in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales to develop additional lodges on its existing camping site. As a National Park and Dark Sky Reserve, the environmental and light pollution requirements were – rightly so – tough. But, once it was demonstrated that the lighting scheme did not intrude into the neighbouring ecological corridors, the approval process was relatively straightforward.
Key Takeaways
The involvement of a lighting design consultant in the planning process doesn't guarantee that permission will be granted or that no changes will be needed. It also doesn’t guarantee that there won't be any challenges along the way. But it can significantly reduce these risks and the knock-on effects on the programme.
If you’ve ever done your own tax return or tackled a DIY project, you’ve probably had that inner debate about the cost of your time or the equipment involved in reaching parity with hiring a professional – who would do it armed with years of experience and potentially more quickly.
Planning requirements are increasingly stringent, and for good reason. They can sometimes put a damper on things because the number of lighting-related design parameters that need to be considered far outweigh any creative input. Still, you’d be hard pushed to find a lighting consultant who doesn’t aspire to work on a public realm project. Creating these environments and making quality lighting design accessible to the masses appeals to our sensitivities, despite the obstacles, and what higher calling is there other than working on a project like a school or a children's hospital?
Even if you are well-equipped to tackle lighting and the planning process, we hope you find something useful in what we’ve discussed. Alternatively, if you think we can help with a project in any way, please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.
Words by Emilio Hernandez