Efforts to make Birmingham a 24-hour cosmopolitan city which residents can enjoy at any time of day or night, are set to be given a major boost next week when Cabinet is asked to approve new planning guidelines regarding the lighting of major buildings and the public realm at night.

If approved, the 'Lighting Places' strategy will see new guidance introduced to the planning regime which will make it easier for significant buildings to be lit at night, subject to further considerations regarding the impact on local communities and environment.

Councillor Neville Summerfield, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "If you visit any major city around the globe you will increasingly find more and more public areas and major buildings are illuminated, promoting 24 hour activity.

-- Advertisement --

"This illumination not only extends the number of hours each day visitors are able to use and enjoy the city, but plays a key role in making the city a brighter and safer environment to visit after dark.

"Of course all applications to light areas after-hours will need to go through the usual open planning procedures and be carefully considered, taking the impact upon local people into account, before being granted."

As well as providing guidance on high quality lighting schemes for major buildings, following examples already in place such as the Town Hall and Mailbox, the strategy also covers the promotion of the one-off lighting of buildings for special occasions and events like Christmas, St Patrick's Day, Birmingham Pride or Diwali.

Lighting Places will see Birmingham develop the exciting skyline it deserves, and deliver a safer and more vibrant night-time environment for its resident community and visitors.

All proposals for lighting in the public realm will be required to be easy to maintain, sustainable and adaptable. Planners will also be required to ensure developers exploit the latest energy saving technology, use renewable energy resources where possible, and limit hours of use to the most effective in order to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions.

(JM/NS)