We’re thrilled to celebrate a landmark achievement for Wales’s designated landscapes!
Gweithgor Awyr Dywyll Cymru / Dark Skies Working Group Wales has been awarded the President’s Award for Best Landscape Scheme of the Year by the Landscape Institute for their groundbreaking publication, “Planning for Dark Skies – Good Practice Guidance.”
This prestigious award is chosen personally by Carolin Gohler, President of the Landscape Institute, from across all Professional, Open and Student category winners — making it one of the most significant honours of the year.
Carolin praised the work, saying:
“Wales became the first UK nation to introduce national good practice planning guidance to protect its dark skies. This ground-breaking planning guidance carries weight and can be adopted by individual planning authorities to protect dark skies and landscapes.”
The judging panel highlighted that the guidance “covers unchartered territory and sets a new bar”, noting that while developments are increasingly required to retain dark skies, very little planning guidance previously existed. This document now “sets the foundations upon which we can build.”
A National Effort to Protect the Night Sky
The guidance is the result of collaborative work between Natural Resources Wales, Eryri and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authorities, Clwydian Range & Dee Valley, Ynys Môn and other National Landscapes, alongside planning authorities and lighting specialists. Together, they have established a consistent, evidence-based approach to reducing light pollution across Wales.
The document outlines practical measures, from curfews and warm-colour lighting to downward-shielded fittings, ensuring that lighting is used in the right place, at the right time, and at the right level. This protects nocturnal wildlife, reduces carbon emissions, safeguards cultural heritage, and preserves the wonder of truly dark night skies.
Wales is now leading the UK in dark sky protection, becoming the first nation to produce a national planning framework of this kind. This is a major step forward for ecological resilience, climate action, and the well-being of communities who value the tranquillity of natural nighttime environments.
Looking Ahead
The guidance strengthens existing dark sky designations, supports future planning decisions, and provides a blueprint for sustainable, well-designed lighting that protects landscapes long-term.
As Wales’s Designated Landscapes continue collaborating on all-Wales dark skies initiatives, this award recognises not just a document — but a commitment. A commitment to protecting what matters:
✨ The magic of the night sky
🌙 The habitats of nocturnal wildlife
🔭 The heritage and beauty of our landscapes
🔌 And the energy we choose not to waste
Wales’s future is brighter – because its skies are darker.
Find out more about the award here: Home – Landscape Institute Awards 2025
Find out more about the project here: Dark Sky Guidance