DISCUSSIONS are still underway to have Bodmin Moor recognised as an International Dark Sky Park, with people still being able to share their views on the matter.

Cornwall Council and Caradon Observatory’s month long consultation on their proposed bid to have Bodmin Moor recognised as a Gold Standard International Dark Sky Park closed on May 2. The designation is comparable to World Heritage site status.

There are currently only three International Dark Sky Parks in the UK: the Elan Valley Estate, Wales; Galloway Forest Park, Scotland; and Northumberland National Park and Kieldr Water and Forest Park, England.

Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for Planning, said: “The quality of the night sky over Bodmin Moor is amongst the best in the world. If the Dark Sky Park bid goes ahead, it will help us to protect this area of outstanding natural beauty from light pollution.

“We’ve had a good response to the consultation so far, with more than 100 people attending our recent public event, and giving us their views and suggestions about how the benefits could be rolled out across Cornwall.

“There’s still time for people to tell us what they think of the proposals, and we’d love to hear from anyone who hasn’t commented yet, or would like to be involved.”

If the bid goes ahead, Bodmin Moor residents and businesses will be provided with a guide to dark sky friendly lighting, to help them choose appropriate new lights when they need to replace old ones.

No one will be required to change their lights; it’s simply about encouraging people to turn off unneeded lights and have lighting that’s fit for purpose.

International Dark Sky Parks must be a protected landscape, demonstrate a high quality night sky, provide an awareness and education opportunity, and have a management plan to minimise light pollution.

Bodmin Moor is already designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and measurements taken for the bid by the Caradon Observatory indicate that Bodmin Moor’s night sky has some exceptional conditions.

All members of the public are welcome to comment on the proposals by emailing the council on [email protected], or by writing to Dark Sky Bid, Cornwall Council, Local Plan Team, Pydar House, Pydar Street, Truro, TR1 1XU.

If there is public support for the bid, the council will submit the proposal this summer.

Details of the proposed Bodmin Moor bid are available on www.cornwall.gov.uk/darksky