A project with the aim of promoting dark skies and light management is set to take place in a Powys community.

Presteigne Dark Skies, for the communities of Presteigne and Norton, has been led by a number of interested members of the community who share a common goal.

In conjunction with Presteigne and Norton Town Council and with the support of Powys County Councillor Beverley Baynham, the aim of the project is to manage the lighting in the town so that Presteigne and Norton can become a Dark Skies Community. This would include being recognised by the International Dark Skies Association and mean the area would become the first Dark Skies Community in Wales.

There are many benefits of achieving dark sky status, including making the town an even more prominent destination as well as helping regenerate the area by attracting eco-tourism, which will benefit associated businesses. The vision is that Presteigne, as a border town, would become the ‘Gateway to the Dark Skies of Wales’.

With the help of award-winning lighting designer and founder of Dark Source, Kerem Asfuroglu, the intention is to make the town’s lighting an engaging and inclusive experience. Kerem’s previous dark sky projects include Plas Y Brenin outdoor Centre and Cloughjordan Ecovillage Masterplan.

Powys County Council has been supportive of the project and is in the process of replacing the existing outdated street-lighting with new dark skies compliant lights. The new lights use less energy, produce less light pollution and use a wavelength of light that minimises the effect on wildlife and human health. This will significantly reduce the effect of street-lights on animals such as insects and bats compared to conventional LED lighting. The intention is not to turn off lights but to provide targeted warmer lighting while not reducing visibility.

The Spaceguard Centre, an observatory about five miles north of Presteigne, will also benefit from the reduction in light pollution in its search for comets, asteroids and other near-Earth objects.

As well as having a positive effect on the economy of the town and surrounding area, benefit wildlife and reduce light pollution, it also represents an important step for the local effort to combat climate change. It is estimated that the new street-lighting will reduce Presteigne’s carbon footprint by about 3.5 tonnes CO2e/year. The Town Council has said it is their aim is to become a model that other areas in Wales will wish to copy.

The application to the International Dark Skies Association will be submitted in spring, once the work on the street-lighting in Presteigne and Norton is complete.

Ongoing work will look at lighting to enhance important buildings in the town and provide educational resources to the town’s school.

More information on the project can be seen at youtu.be/6TqShuiTvx0

If you have any further questions, please contact Tracey Price, town clerk, Presteigne and Norton Town Council, at: [email protected]