Planning permission for new street lighting?

[dawlishtaver]

The local authority have just installed new street lighting to our alleyway. There has never previously been any street lighting so it is not replacement lighting. The highway at the front of our street has existing street lighting. The local authority have not applied for any planning permission for the lighting but claim that it is not actually required. Their official response is: "In response to your enquiry, I can confirm that planning permission would not be required for new Street Lighting to existing highways and alleyways which form part of the public highway." I disagree but cannot prove it as yet. Does anyone know the correct answer to this legal question? I am looking for a good legal argument with supporting legislation and/or case law for a similar situation. I cannot believe that the local authority can just install lighting with no planning permission when the lighting invades on our privacy in the rear of the property.

[ladyalex]

I think they can do whatever they want. They are the body which grants/refuses planing permission, so they don't have to apply to themselves for it.

[buildersmate]

That's not actually true - they are not above the law.
Whilst one would need PP to put floodlighting around a local football pitch, I have never heard of PP being required with regard to streetlighting.
If it is directly shining from the bulb towards you, many councils will install a deflector on the lamp stand.
Many folks like having illumination - it deters wrongdoers.
It begs the question about what happens in your garden that demands privacy!

[bushbaby_de]

The Local Authority have to apply for planning permission like anyone else. However I believe street lighting installation is permitted development under part 12 of the General Permitted Development Order 1995