01
Wildlife
Birds, insects and bats depend on natural patterns of darkness. Artificial light can disrupt feeding, navigation, reproduction and movement.
Protecting the night sky
Keep the High Weald dark.
The High Weald is one of England’s special landscapes. We are working with local communities to protect its natural darkness while making sure lighting is safe, useful and beautifully restrained.
Why it matters
Darkness is part of the landscape.
Artificial light at night changes the environment far beyond the place where a lamp is installed. Skyglow, glare and light trespass affect wildlife, people, energy use and our ability to experience a truly dark night sky.
02
People
Excessive or poorly directed light creates glare, disturbs homes and changes our experience of the night. Good lighting can meet safety needs without flooding the landscape.
03
Energy & climate
Light that serves no useful purpose is energy wasted. Better control, lower output and shorter operating hours can reduce both cost and environmental impact.
90%of people in Sussex experience light pollution
(CPRE, 2023)
9.6%annual increase in measured night-sky
brightness reported in the 2023 Science study cited in our
presentation
1 in 3people globally cannot see the Milky Way,
according to the source cited in our presentation
Our initiative
People. Policy. Plan.
The High Weald Dark Sky Community brings together parish councils, residents, businesses and partner organisations around three practical workstreams.
01
People
Engage and educate through talks, festivals, village magazines, parish assemblies, business endorsements and citizen measurement of the night sky.
02
Policy
Build support through parish, district and High Weald policy, planning guidance and community commitments so that dark-sky principles endure.
03
Plan
Improve existing lighting, identify problem sources and work towards practical compliance. Streetlights and commercial lighting are central to the programme.
Growing across the High Weald
Parishes are exploring Dark Sky International accreditation and working together across administrative boundaries. The aim is a connected landscape rather than a collection of isolated dark patches.
Support & partnerships
The initiative has attracted support from local representatives, CPRE Sussex and the High Weald National Landscape, alongside parish and district-level work.
What success looks like
Children looking up and seeing the Milky Way.
Success is not darkness for darkness’s sake. It is a landscape where light has a clear purpose, is directed only where it is needed, is no brighter than necessary and is switched off or reduced when it is no longer useful.
Measure
Use Sky Quality Meter readings and repeatable observations to understand the baseline and track change.
Improve
Replace poor fittings, reduce unnecessary brightness, control operating hours and prevent light escaping upwards or into neighbouring properties.
Celebrate
Bring people outside through dark-sky festivals, astronomy, storytelling, wildlife activities and simply enjoying a star-filled sky.
Good lighting
Light well. Light less.
We are not opposed to artificial light. We are opposed to inappropriate light: too bright, too blue, on when it is not needed, or directed beyond the place where it serves a purpose.
1Have a clear purpose.
Every light should do a defined job.
Every light should do a defined job.
2Direct light only where needed.
Keep it out of the sky, neighbouring properties and habitats.
Keep it out of the sky, neighbouring properties and habitats.
3Use no more light than necessary.
Lower output often improves visual comfort as well as reducing pollution.
Lower output often improves visual comfort as well as reducing pollution.
4Use light only when useful.
Timers, dimming and motion controls can reduce unnecessary hours.
Timers, dimming and motion controls can reduce unnecessary hours.
5Choose warmer colour.
For outdoor lighting, warm/amber-toned light is generally preferable. DarkSky recommends 2700K or lower where possible.
For outdoor lighting, warm/amber-toned light is generally preferable. DarkSky recommends 2700K or lower where possible.
Recommended luminaires
We have identified four LUTEC luminaires that we want to make available locally as practical dark-sky-friendly options. They are supplied in the High Weald by YESSS Electrical in Hastings and through local contractors including B&K Electrical.
LUTEC · ANCOR RANGE
7W LED Outdoor Wall Light
LUTEC · CYPRES RANGE
14W LED Outdoor Light
LUTEC · LINKO RANGE
11.5W Solar LED Outdoor Light
LUTEC · URBAN RANGE
35W LED Outdoor Wall Light
Product information and specifications shown here are reproduced from the supplied LUTEC material. The exact product/version should always be checked against the manufacturer's current technical information before specification or purchase.
Events
Dark Sky Festival
The High Weald's dark skies are worth experiencing. Our festival brings people together to enjoy the night sky and learn how we can protect it.
Monday 26 October 2026
Wonderskies
Family Fun at Flimwell & Ticehurst CE Primary School, with an indoor planetarium, owls adventure, star storytelling and much more. 4–8.30pm.
Buy Tickets HereMore
Other events in the High Weald dark skies festival
See the High Weald National Landscape's full programme of dark skies events.
Other events in the High Weald dark skies festival →
Resources
A practical toolkit for communities.
For parish councils
How to start, measure the local night sky, develop policy and work towards Dark Sky International accreditation.
Ask us about the process →For residents
Simple changes: shield lights, reduce brightness, choose warmer colour, use timers or sensors and switch off when light is no longer useful.
Assess your home lighting →For planners & designers
Use the Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting and specify products that have independently verified dark-sky credentials.
Lighting guidelines →Help protect the High Weald at night.
Whether you are a parish councillor, resident, business, landowner or simply someone who loves a dark sky, there is a role for you.