Agenda item

Bleddyn Jones, AONB Officer to give a report on the Dark Sky Designation.

Resolved to defer this matter for further consultation. Some Members of the Joint Committee wished to receive more information before supporting the application to the IDA for Dark Sky Park designation for the Llŷn AONB.

It was agreed that the Llŷn AONB Officer would arrange a virtual meeting at the beginning of the year and invite all Community Councils within the AONB to ensure further consultation on the subject and to give Community Councils the opportunity to ask questions. It was noted that the Llŷn AONB Officer would forward a presentation to the Community Councils; arrangements will be made for an Officer to contact the Clerks of the Community Councils.

The Joint Committee was provided with a summary of the Llŷn AONB Officer's report, and was requested to support the recommendation to support an application to the IDA (International Dark Sky Association) for a Dark Skies Park status for the area.

It was reported that discussions had already taken place between the Unit's staff and the IDA's staff, who were very supportive of the intention to submit an application for dark skies status for the Llŷn AONB. It was considered that this area had a strong case for receiving the designation. The IDA was of the opinion that an International Dark Sky Park status rather than a Community status would be more appropriate for this area, and would be a better reflection of the quality of this dark sky. It was added that the application would be submitted next year if the Joint Committee was supportive.   

During the discussion, members raised the following matters:-

-       It was noted that some of the Community/Town Councils were uncertain about supporting the application. It was reported that women in particular tended to be wary of the darkness when walking at night, and that many of the concerns stemmed from this.

-       The AONB Service Officer was asked to attend a Meeting of Nefyn Town Council, and other Community Councils, to give a presentation to members and alleviate their fears. It was believed that there was scope for a further discussion on this matter.

-       A Member said that he was not in favour of the application due to safety reasons, and concerns that the designation would be used as a reason not to proceed with some matters, such as the provision of more road lighting.

-       Additionally, there were concerns regarding farms; it was argued that farms needed brighter lighting due to the fact that work took place there at night.

-       A question was asked about the difference between a Dark Sky Community and Park.

-       Some members of the Joint Committee wished to support this application; it was noted that the purpose of the designation was to ensure that lighting was available in the places where it was needed, and to reduce light wastage and pollution.

-       It was argued that this area was suitable for the project, and that many people enjoyed star-gazing in the area.

-       It was proposed to defer the matter in order to undertake further consultation.

In response, the following was noted:

-       There was no intention to switch off street lights. Rather, it was intended to promote, educate, hold events and use best practice, e.g. direct lights downwards, use lighting that was less bright.

-       Dark Sky Park status was more prestigious than Community status as they were larger in size and fewer in number. It was explained that the whole AONB area would receive Park status.

-       There were many benefits from the above designation, and assurance was given that the designation would not affect the area's residents.

-       The AONB Service Officer would be willing to attend Town/Community Council meetings, or to have further conversations with Members who were dubious about the scheme, and bring the matter back to this Joint Committee. It was reported that it would be preferable to have the Joint Committee's support.

-       There would be further consultation on this issue. The AONB Service officer would arrange a virtual meeting at the beginning of the year at the earliest, and would invite all the Community/Town Councils within the AONB in order to provide the Committee with an opportunity to ask questions. It was added that there were insufficient resources to visit each individual Community/Town Council.

-       A virtual meeting had already been arranged for Town/Community Councils, which was somewhat frustrating, but the AONB Officer would re-arrange in order to provide a further opportunity.

DECISION

It was resolved to defer the matter in order to undertake further consultation. The AONB Service officer would arrange a virtual meeting at the beginning of the year and invite all the Community/Town Councils within the AONB.

The Llŷn AONB Officer will send information on to the Community Councils; the officer would contact the Community Council Clerks to make arrangements.