Dark Sky Lighting Solutions

Tamlite Lighting offers a portfolio of DarkSky Approved luminaires designed to reduce light pollution, support sensitive environments and meet planning requirements across public realm, education, residential and infrastructure projects. talk to an expert Dark sky brochure Tamlite Dark Sky certificate logo in white Tamlite logo

Official listings can be viewed on the DarkSky International website   UK night skies are brightening by an estimated 6% each year. Tamlite outdoor luminaires listed within the DarkSky Approved Luminaires programme are independently assessed against defined performance criteria relating to glare control, light distribution and minimisation of upward light.

The DarkSky Approved programme is an internationally recognised certification supporting the reduction of light pollution and sky glow.

For consultants and Local Authorities, this independent verification provides additional confidence when specifying exterior lighting for residential developments, public realm lighting schemes and environmentally sensitive locations.

Certification may assist in demonstrating responsible lighting design within planning submissions and environmental assessments. Tamlite Dark Sky certificate logo in white

What Is DarkSky Approved Lighting?

DarkSky Approved lighting refers to luminaires that have been independently assessed to meet defined criteria for glare control, light distribution and minimisation of upward light. Certification places limits on colour temperature [CCT], typically requiring 3000K or below to reduce blue light content.

The programme supports the reduction of light pollution and sky glow, helping to protect residential amenity and environmentally sensitive locations.

Artificial light can greatly disrupt the ecology and behaviour of nocturnal animals, affecting their natural rhythms, diet, and sleep patterns. This disruption is especially harmful to endangered or threatened species.

Therefore, it’s crucial to design lighting that minimises negative effects on wildlife, ensuring their survival and preserving their natural habits.

How Does Exterior Lighting Affect Biodiversity?

Light pollution can be reduced through careful luminaire selection, controlled optical distribution and minimisation of upward light.Key considerations include:
 • Limiting upward light ratio
 • Controlling glare and high angle brightness
 • Directing light only where required
 • Reducing spill beyond site boundaries
 • Managing CCT to limit blue light content, typically 3000K or lower
These principles are increasingly referenced within planning and environmental guidance for residential and public realm schemes.

How Can Light Pollution Be Reduced in Exterior Schemes?

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DarkSky International is a nonprofit organisation focused on reducing light pollution and promoting responsible nighttime lighting.

Through its Approved Luminaires program.0me, it provides independent assessment of products against defined performance criteria.

Who Is DarkSky International?

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arrow_forward arrow_back Tamlite city path bollard Own sitting on a fence at night Tamlite city pt in car park dark sky logo on a starry background

The following Tamlite ranges include luminaires listed within the DarkSky Approved programme, supporting controlled optical performance across residential, public realm and environmentally sensitive schemes. Approval applies to 3000K variants only.

CITY PATH Range

Pathway and pedestrian bollards designed for controlled exterior lighting in residential and public realm schemes.

LED Bollards

View CITY PATH

CITY RL
RANGE

DarkSky Approved street lighting lantern for minor roads with controlled optical distribution and minimised upward light.

Road Lantern

View CITY RL

CITY PT
range

Decorative post top lantern suitable for DarkSky compliant street lighting within urban and residential environments.

decorative post top lantern

View CITY PT

CITY PTS
RANGE

Swan neck style post top lantern supporting controlled street lighting in heritage and residential areas.

decorative post top lantern

View City PTS

CITY PARK RANGE

DarkSky Approved street lighting solution for parks and urban areas requiring lower mounting heights.

Post top for urban areas

View CITY PARK

CITY PATH Range

Suitable for pathways and pedestrian areas.

LED Bollards

View CITY PATH City PT dark sky tamlite City path dark sky tamlite City PT dark sky tamlite City PTS Dark Sky city park scene at night showing london skyline and park lanterns

controlled warm coloured Use controls, like our Vision Air, to ensure that light is available only when it is needed. Limit shorter wavelength blue light by selecting warm CCT of 3000K or less. Useful All light should have a clear purpose. Consider how the light will impact the area. Targetted Use shielding and precise aiming to direct light only where it is required. low level Use the lowest light level necessary. Be mindful of surface reflectance and surrounding conditions. dark sky icon 1 dark sky icon 2 dark sky icon 5 dark sky icon 3 dark sky icon 4

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The four primary components of light pollution commonly referenced in DarkSky guidance and planning documents are: Glare | Skyglow | Light Nuisance | Clutter Light pollution occurs when artificial light extends beyond the area where it is required, contributing to glare, wasted energy and disruption to natural ecosystems.
In planning and environmental guidance, these effects are often described collectively as obtrusive light.

Effective exterior lighting design seeks to control light distribution, minimise spill beyond site boundaries and limit unnecessary upward light.

Responsible lighting does not compromise safety or visibility. It delivers appropriate illumination while protecting residential amenity and environmentally sensitive locations.

At Tamlite, we apply controlled optical design, warm colour temperature options and lighting controls to support compliant and considered exterior schemes.

What is Light Pollution?



Glare Glare is the excessive brightness of a light source within the field of view, particularly when seen against a darker background. It can reduce visual comfort and impair task visibility.

Limiting glare requires shielded luminaires, controlled optical distribution and appropriate luminaire selection within exterior lighting schemes.
 SKYGLOW Skyglow is the brightening of the night sky caused by light emitted or reflected above the horizontal. It is most evident above built-up areas and is associated with poorly controlled upward light.

Reducing skyglow relies on downward light distribution, shielding and minimised horizontal spill.
 NUISANCE Nuisance, often described as light trespass or intrusion, occurs when light extends beyond the intended site boundary into adjacent properties or environmentally sensitive locations.

Managing obtrusive light through careful aiming, controlled distribution and boundary consideration supports planning compliance and protects residential amenity.
 CLUTTER Clutter refers to the visual confusion created by excessive or poorly coordinated lighting within a space.

Even where glare and upward light are controlled, the cumulative presence of luminaires can affect dark and sensitive landscapes. Rationalising luminaire quantity and ensuring purposeful placement supports more responsible exterior lighting design.

Integration With Smart Lighting Controls

The integration of smart lighting control systems, including dimming strategies, presence detection and time-based programming, further reduces unnecessary light output and energy consumption.

Adaptive lighting allows schemes to respond to occupancy and ambient conditions, ensuring that illumination levels remain appropriate to use while minimising environmental impact. When combined with controlled optical performance and warm colour temperatures, smart controls support responsible exterior lighting design aligned with DarkSky principles.
 DarkSky Approved luminaires are designed to shield the light source and prevent light above the horizontal. This ensures illumination is directed only to the intended task area, reducing upward light and limiting spill beyond site boundaries.

Careful optical control and appropriate product selection help manage glare and support compliance with guidance on obtrusive light. This is particularly important in street lighting and public realm applications where visual comfort and residential amenity must be considered.

Precise Optical Control

Artificial Lighting Guidance

Bats and Artificial Lighting

In August 2023, the Bat Conservation Trust updated its GN08 guidance to reflect the impact of modern LED lighting on bat populations and nocturnal wildlife.

The guidance introduces a mitigation hierarchy for lighting within areas where bats may be present. This framework prioritises avoidance, minimisation, mitigation and compensation when assessing potential ecological impact.

Artificial light at night can alter bat commuting routes, feeding behaviour and habitat use. As a result, exterior lighting design is increasingly considered within ecological assessments and planning submissions for developments adjacent to sensitive habitats.

Key considerations include: • Minimisation of upward light
 • Reducing spill beyond site boundaries
 • Controlling glare and high angle brightness
 • Managing colour temperature, typically 3000K or below
The objective is to balance appropriate illumination for safety and amenity with the protection of vulnerable species and designated habitats.
 Lighting in a city park

1. Limit exterior lighting to defined task areas and avoid unnecessary over illumination. 2. Use motion detection, dimming and time-based controls to ensure lighting is active only when required. 3. Select appropriate light levels and reduce brightness to minimise glare and spill beyond site boundaries. Dark sky off icon Dark sky dimmer icon

CITY PARK Suitable for parks and urban areas with lower mounting heights. Available with photocell. post top for urban city path city rl watch video CITY PATH Suitable for pathways and pedestrian areas. Built for exterior fit-and-forget installations. LED bollards city pt city park watch video CITY PT Modern, stylish post top lantern for city beautification projects. Perfect for open areas and car parks. decorative post top lantern city rl city path watch video CITY RL High performance road lantern for use on minor roads and housing estates. road lantern city park city pt watch video CITY PARK city park scene at night showing london skyline and park lanterns City path dark sky led bollard Dark Sky City PT CITY PT and PTS Dark Sky lighting road lantern image City RL Dark Sky lighting

Exterior Lighting and Biodiversity Impact

Read Article on Biodiversity Research presented at DarkSky conferences has highlighted the ecological effect of reducing light spill along rural roads and hedgerows. Controlled optical performance and reduced upward light have been associated with measurable increases in nocturnal insect populations.

Moths and other night active species form a critical part of the food chain, supporting bats, birds and wider ecosystems. Excessive upward or horizontal light can disrupt feeding and movement patterns across habitats.

By limiting upward light and controlling spill beyond site boundaries, well designed exterior lighting can contribute to biodiversity protection while maintaining safe and usable public spaces.

Download Dark Sky Brochure dark sky lighting brochure Tamlite

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