The lights in future City of London skyscrapers may be turned off or dimmed at night in order to save energy under proposed plans by the local authority.
Owners of new developments in the Square Mile would be required to submit a detailed strategy for how their buildings are lit, as part of plans to cut light pollution.
The City of London Corporation is consulting on a draft plan that would create new lighting requirements for future planning applications in the Square Mile, and guidance for existing buildings.
The local authority would ask businesses and building owners to sign a voluntary ‘Considerate Lighting Charter’, to show their “commitment to improve lighting in the City”.
The document also proposes allocating new developments into ‘brightness zones’, with curfew times during which all external lighting, other than that required for safety or crime prevention reasons, should be switched off or dimmed.
The proposal aims to help the Corporation reach its target of carbon net zero for the Square Mile as a whole by 2040.
Planning and Transportation Committee Chairman Shravan Joshi said: “The City is a unique place in which 24/7 business districts and busy transport hubs rub up against historic buildings and residential neighbourhoods.
“The strategy laid out in this document is aimed at ensuring an intelligent, sensitive approach to lighting which ensures the City is safe and accessible, while protecting its historic character and the amenity of our residents.
Owners of new developments would be required to turn off or dim their lights earlier if their building is in a sensitive area such as a residential or special heritage area.
The consultation runs until February 17.
