The Connemara Dark Skies Group (CDS) welcomes Galway County Council’s inclusion of policy objectives on light pollution and dark skies in the Draft County Development Plan (sections 7.9.3, 8.10.4). Such policies can help the recovery of the tourism sector by driving dark sky or “astro” tourism (including more off-season tourism), benefit local people and wildlife and aid the county in achieving its climate and biodiversity targets. CDS offer our expertise to help deliver the policy objectives.
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), which is referenced in section 8.10.4 of the plan, provide guidance and evidence on best practice in public policy on lighting from an energy, ecology, human health and safety point of view [1]. CDS draw upon these principles in making our various recommendations.
[1] https://www.darksky.org/our-work/lighting/public-policy/