Among its many benefits and attractions, the Island could soon be recognised for what can only be seen in the dark.
A fresh Island bid to join an exclusive global family of Dark Sky Parks looks set to receive key support from the Isle of Wight Council later next week.
With its dramatic coastline and rolling downs, the south west of the Island possesses some of the UK’s most scenic countryside. Now moves are in place to make the area as much of a mecca for stargazers at night as it is for beach and countryside lovers during the day.
A new application to the International Dark Skies Association (IDA) could see an area stretching between Freshwater, Chale and the edge of Newport designated a Dark Sky Park. These are large areas of unpolluted night sky where, on cloudless nights, it’s possible to see thousands of stars, the Milky Way and other celestial delights.
A report recommending the council supports the bid is due to go to Cabinet next Thursday (16th December).
As an internationally recognised badge of environmental sustainability, Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for the environment, said Dark Sky status would be a clear and visible demonstration of our commitment, as an Island and accredited UNESCO Biosphere, to protecting our starry skies. He said:
“When we think of our natural resources, we think of water and we think of trees, but looking up and being able to see the stars is another natural resource to be protected.
“It’s a wonderful thing to see a meteorite streak across the night sky, or to look up and appreciate the brilliance of the Milky Way, our home galaxy, arching overhead during the summer months. It’s absolutely something we need to protect for generations to come.
Article continues below this advertisement “Sadly, however, for much of the population, these sights have already been lost — obscured from view by a veil of artificially produced light from streetlights, advertising boards and flood lights.
“It’s a profound thought that, after travelling countless lightyears, the light from these celestial objects has been lost at the very end of its journey in the glare of our own sky.”
Dark Skies are special areas where there are low levels of light pollution.
Currently, there are 64 Dark Sky areas around the world, including the Channel Island of Sark, the Brecon Beacons National Park and Dumfries and Galloway Dark Sky Reserve.
In 2013, a Dark Sky Park economic study looked at the impact on local business a year after Galloway Forest Park in Scotland became an IDA-accredited Dark Sky Park. The report found that for every £1 spent on installing Dark Sky friendly lighting in the area, there was a return on investment of £1.93, due to an increase in tourism.
To help achieve the designation, the Island application is expected to require replacing the LED street lighting lanterns within the proposed Dark Sky Park to meet the requirements of the IDA. This requires lighting with a different level of ‘warmth’ than the lighting currently being used.
Councillor Bacon added:
“Being in a Dark Sky Park does not mean you have to turn lights off.
“Rather it is about encouraging the use of better quality eco-friendly lighting, which is not only more effective in shining light where it is needed, but also reduces light pollution and carbon emissions and is also better for nocturnal wildlife and biodiversity.
“Designation as a Dark Sky Park would also provide a fantastic opportunity to encourage astro-tourism in the autumn and winter months, and to work with businesses and communities to ensure our dark skies are protected.”
I could’ve sworn that area has been given that status already?
well this little virtue signalling project is already well under way with the lights on the revetment between Sandown and Shanklin. Already a third of them aren’t working.
With today’s modern headtorches at a tenner apiece, there is no need to spoil our wonderful night skies with poorly designed streetlights. Here in the west Wight when we put on a starfest’ people come from as far away as Oxford to take advantage of our dark skies. They should be marketed as a tourist attraction.
Every parent on this wonderful Island of ours should teach their children at least the more well known constellations !
Perhaps Councillor Jonathon Bacon could get Tapnell Farm to turn their lights off at night. Often blazing ALL night until daylight including the five “eco” pods. Their electricity bill must be huge. You cannot have a Dark Skies area with huge lights on at night.
Same problem with stor-it in shanklin
Lights on dawn to dusk and not a single person in the building
You wont be able to see anything soon since the council are turning a blind eye to the unauthorised housing development Sandy Lanes along that stretch. The amount of widows and exterior and patio lighting to those houses it will be like a beacon out there.