Historic Environment Division Policy on the Illumination of State Care Monuments

Background

This policy addresses temporary illumination of, and projection onto, State Care Monuments in Northern Ireland. The policy is intended to ensure that special (non-essential) lighting is appropriate, in keeping with the purpose and dignity of the monument, and not over-used, and it is based on international best practice and heritage principles as well as Historic Environment Division’s extensive experience in managing and caring for State Care Monuments.

This policy does not apply in relation to decisions on permanent, essential operating lighting arrangements at State Care Monuments.

Policy statement

Temporary illumination of or light projection onto any State Care Monument is at the discretion of Historic Environment Division and an application must be made on the relevant application in accordance with the time limits set out in the State Care non-regulatory charging and activity application policy.

Applications for temporary illumination/projection that have the potential to damage the historic fabric of a monument will be automatically rejected, unless there is an overriding health and safety reason why temporary illumination is required in a particular location.

In addition, Historic Environment Division will not facilitate temporary illumination/projection of any State Care Monument solely in support of a cause/charity, or for a political reason, or to promote a commercial organisation.

All other applications for illumination / projection, will be considered on their merits. These applications may include but are not limited to: illumination to facilitate filming or photography; ‘son et lumiere’ events; tourism/festival related illumination / projection.

All State Care Monuments are heritage sites and shared spaces and due consideration will be given to whether any application is suitable for a shared space in a heritage context.

Historic Environment Division is the final decision maker on any applications for activities at State Care Monuments.

Key considerations

All applications for temporary illumination / projections should address and where applicable, provide mitigation measures in relation to:

• trip / fall hazards. The historic nature, and location of state care monuments, often in areas of rough terrain, carry the obvious risks of tripping or falling, this coupled with the risk of tripping over trailing electrical cables for; the proposed lighting, poses hazards for staff as well as visitors to the monument
• electricity supply issues. A significant number of monuments do not have easy access to an electrical supply and there are risks associated with installation and use of generators on sites;
• potential of damage to historic fabric. The ground around and below monuments is also often protected and is of significant archaeological value. Risks of disturbing below ground remains anywhere at a State Care Monument, apply to the installation and dismantling of generators, lighting and cables; as well as the transportation of associated materials and equipment to and from the location
• installation, supervision, protection and dismantling of lighting equipment;
• light pollution; neighbouring properties/residents
• the environmental impact of lighting in terms of wildlife, e.g. bats or owls that reside in and around the monuments or nocturnal animals if it was proposed to light a monument at night;
• detriment to the reputation / image of the monument.