Council plans £6.5m LED streetlight overhaul to save money and cut carbon
Dorset to become first UK council to set streetlight colour standards in drive to cut carbon and protect wildlife
Dorset Council is poised to overhaul its street lighting policy with a plan to replace 18,500 outdated lamps with energy-efficient LEDs.
The council’s Cabinet will decide on Tuesday 9 September whether to approve the scheme, which would see £6.5m invested in upgrades at no upfront cost to residents.
In fact, Dorset Council expects to save around £100,000 a year through the scheme.
If adopted, the policy would make Dorset the first local authority in the UK to establish clear rules on the warmth of streetlight colour.
Warmer-toned LEDs will be used to cut light pollution, improve public health, and reduce disruption to wildlife.
In quieter areas such as the edges of towns, lights will be dimmed to protect nature, while town centres and busy routes will remain bright for safety and accessibility.
Council leader Nick Ireland said: “By upgrading our streetlights, we’re cutting carbon, improving the night-time environment and reducing costs.
“It’s a win-win that delivers environmental improvements, financial savings and better public services - all at no extra cost to residents.”
The policy is part of Dorset Council’s wider commitment to tackle the climate and nature emergency while modernising public services.
The county’s mix of coastal, countryside and historic areas makes lighting all the more important, with concerns raised in consultations earlier this year about biodiversity and sky quality.
Feedback from residents helped shape the proposals, with supporters saying the plan not only aligns with sustainability goals but also protects Dorset’s unique night skies, which draw thousands of visitors each year.
If approved, work could begin immediately, marking a step change in how councils balance public safety, environmental protection and cost savings.