Fife councillors want to shed more light on different kinds of lamp-posts.
They are seeking more illumination on what kind of street lighting is available to blend in more with historical or conservation areas.
The plans came as west Fife planning committee threw out a recommendation by officers to install modern street lighting in a picturesque part of Dunfermline.
Officials wanted to replace the lampposts in Park Place, Transy Place and Transy Grove, which sit within the conservation area, with new lighting.
There are listed buildings scattered around this area and many of the houses were built in the 19th Century.
Existing street lights take several forms, ranging from ornate period cast iron posts to simple contemporary designs.
The plan was to install modern, five or six metre high pale grey columns.
A report said that although some of the lampposts that were being replaced were of a heritage design, no clear evidence had been unearthed to indicate a particular design had been predominant the area in the past.
Both Historic Scotland and the council’s own urban design advisers recommended a modern replacement.
But the plans had attracted nine letters of objection from people who all feared modern designs would not be in keeping with the historic character of the area.
The local community council also considered the design to be inappropriate.
Some felt lamp-posts like those on Couston Street, which are modern but with heritage features, were thought to be a better choice.
Officers wanted to put aside the objections and forge ahead, but came up against unanimous opposition from members.
SNP Councillor Alice McGarry said: “I do not get it there are areas which come up all the time where people feel there is inappropriate lighting.
“I do not see how our transportation services cannot go to residents and give them a number of designs.
“This is nonsense we are supposed to consult with the public, why can’t folk be consulted when it comes to what to have in their own street?”
Labour’s Alice Callaghan said the same issue had been raised in Limekilns and felt the council should replace lampposts with designs appropriate to their area.
Councillor Mike Shirkie added: “You can consult Historic Scotland all you like, but the people who matter are the people in the local community.”
The committee threw out the plan and asked officers to investigate the possibility of using different designs.
They also pressed for discussions with local communities.