Mallorca News Top Story: Campaigners criticise proposed LED lighting on La Seu Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca

THE City Council’s proposed plan to use LED lighting on the iconic La Seu Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, has been denounced by campaigners.
Recently, the council announced that the alternative lighting would be installed on the landmark in a move to showcase the capital as an environmentally conscious destination. The change would also mean a reduction in electricity costs, with the current lighting being far more expensive than the use of LEDs.
However, several associations have joined forces to push the council to reconsider their decision. Made up of the Association for the Revitalisation of Historical Centres (ARCA), JAM Joves Architects, the Opinion Group of Architects, Palma XXI and the Residents’ Association (AAVA), the group have presented a signatory petition to the council in aim of highlighting the effects that the new lighting would have on the historical building.
They believe LEDs will negatively impact the Cathedral’s architectural wealth and will distort the perception of the landmark as LEDs “produce more shadows and can alter textures and details.” They also state that attention will be focused on the lights rather than on La Seu, which should and always has been the star of the city.
They added: “The lighting has to be humble and discreet, to illuminate the monument and installing intense lighting on historical buildings causes light pollution which affects the environment and influences the image of the historic city.”
LED lights are the latest technology in energy efficient lighting which use approximately 85% less energy than halogen or incandescent lighting. Although they can achieve significant savings on power bills and have a longer lifespan, the light that they emit is considerably brighter.