New dark skies policy could boost night-time economy, says council

New dark skies policy could boost night-time economy, says councilJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleSteven McKenzieHighlands and Islands reporterGetty ImagesThe Highlands have some of Europe's darkest night skies, according to Highland CouncilNew planning policy aimed at improving views of the stars and Northern Lights could boost the Highlands' night-time economy, a senior councillor has suggested.Highland Council has proposed a dark skies draft planning policy to reduce the effects of light pollution from new developments across its region.Vice convener and SNP councillor Ken Gowans said it would be the first policy of its kind in Scotland, and "opens the door" to night-time tourism.But Ruraidh Stewart, a Scottish Conservative councillor for Skye, said street lighting was important to public safety, and he warned more planning rules could harm attempts to boost the availability of new homes.More stories from the Highlands and IslandsNews from the Highlands and Islands on BBC SoundsHighland Council said its region, which has large, sparsely populated areas, offered stargazers some of the darkest skies in Europe.Weather-permitting, and when conditions are right, the Highlands offers the chance to see the Milky Way and displays of the aurora borealis - the Northern Lights.Cromarty Firth Liberal Democrat councillor John Edmondson, and Independent Inverness South councillor Duncan Macpherson, said there were communities in their wards that did not want street lights spoiling views.But Ruraidh Stewart raised concerns more planning rules could put off developers, and affect the local authority's efforts to build 24,000 new homes over the next 10 years.Ken Gowans said the policy would be "balanced" and not applied to every new development.He said planning officials had produced a "really important" report, adding: "It opens the door to night-time tourism."The Highlands have some of the darkest skies in Europe...