In May 2016 the South Downs National Park became the world's newest International Dark Sky Reserve and the Parish Council is now hoping that all planning applications will help to protect the astonishing star-studded skies overhead.
As Dan Oakley, dark skies ranger for the National Park Authority, has explained ?Light pollution is a big issue. It not only wastes energy, costs money and impacts on wildlife, it can even affect our health - for example by disrupting sleep. It also stops people from enjoying the night skies."
Buriton Parish Council is aware that the parish forms a crucial, narrow pinch-point in the new International Dark Skies Reserve (to be named "Moore's Reserve" in honour of Sir Patrick Moore) - which is one of only twelve such places on earth.
The Council will, therefore, be looking at all planning applications very closely and hoping that parishioners will do their best to reduce light pollution.
As well as ensuring that curtains and blinds can be closed during the hours of darkness, it is helpful to turn off lights when they are not needed, to only buy lamps that are under 500 lumens and to ensure that all external lights are adjusted (or capped) so that they only point downwards (not upwards or outwards): Dan Oakley's 'Frankie Howard Memorial gesture'! Capped and downward pointing lights can be much more effective for security and safety purposes.
Less than 10% of the UK population can see the beauty of a natural night sky full of stars and the south-east of England is the worst area of all - which is why the darkness above Buriton is so rare.
As Dan explained, ?this isn't just about star-gazing, it's about preserving the night-time environment for the benefit of all the animals, birds and insects that thrive at night.?
?Even in the countryside, unnecessary, poorly-aimed and overly bright household security lights can affect the behaviour, mating and feeding patterns of bats, birds, moths and many other species.?
Download a leaflet about the South Downs International Dark Skies Reserve here and read about Dan Oakley's talk in the village here: http://www.buriton.info/node/712
