Countryside campaigners CPRE [1] are sceptical over Southampton City Council’s decision to carry out a trial of its laser lighting scheme before deciding whether to go ahead with a permanent installation. [2]

They remain fundamentally opposed to the concept, which would see beams of laser light shooting across miles of countryside – including the New Forest National Park, the East Hampshire and South Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Isle of Wight.

CPRE Hampshire’s planning group chairman John Cooper said: ‘This trial is better than blundering straight into this ill-conceived idea.  But the basis on which the trial is taking place is flawed. We need to know exactly when and how the trial will take place and everyone should be given the opportunity to observe and comment.

‘We’ll be watching carefully, but we have grave doubts. The notion that Southampton would strengthen its ‘brand’ by beaming bright green beams of coloured light deep into rural night skies is utterly mistaken.

‘The city would be a much better neighbour if it left it to nature to provide a light show of moon, stars and planets in the nearby countryside. From the reactions we have heard so far, the City risks upsetting its immediate neighbours if it adopts this idea.’

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Sir Max Hastings. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. Southampton City Council’s cabinet decided on a series of trials, with an environmental assessment, at its meeting on Monday 5 February. The concept is for four beams of laser light shining from the clock tower of the Civic Centre to the four points of the compass, acting as a ‘visual celebration of the city.’