Plan for outdoor shooting club raises concerns over public safety and noise
The plans for the range in Higham, is only 60ft away from a footpath
A plan for an outdoor shooting club in Pendle has sparked concerns over gun ownership, public safety and noise.
Applicant Adele Hanson wants permission to change the use of land to a shooting club at Hunters Holme, Grove Lane in Higham. Her plan includes earth mounds, called bunds, at the end of an existing track and creating a car parking area on an existing yard.
Pendle Council’s Barrowford and Western Parishes area committee will consider it this week. The plan was deferred last month for more information from Ms Hanson, regarding public safety concerns. Information includes correspondence from the National Smallbore Firearms Association and technical drawings of lines of fire.
A new Pendle Council planning report states: “Further drawings and illustrations explaining shooting positions and the cone of fire, to demonstrate how safety standards are followed in the range design, have been submitted along with a statement.”
Higham Parish Council had objected to the plan. Its concerns include commercial development in the green belt and the impact on bridleways and footpaths near the proposed firing range
The parish said two bridleways are extensively used by walkers, runners, dog walkers, cyclists and horse riders. One is part of a popular walk along the River Calder from Padiham’s Grove Lane Plantation to Ightenhill footbridge. It would be “substantially affected by noise and possibly danger from the shooting”, the parish feared.
The other bridleway is part of the Pendle Way, a centuries-old ancient highway from Ightenhill footbridge to Higham Village, running up a field immediately east. It is joined also by a footpath,. These would also be affected by noise and have direct views over the site, which would be damaged by the unsightly earth bund, flags and warning signs, the parish feared.
Another footpath runs immediately behind the proposed earth bund ewhere shooting rage targets would be. The bund, in this position, would obscure people on the footpath from view and place them at danger, if a shot missed or passed through the bund, the parish claimed. Warning signs and flags would also be intimidating and a potential deterrent to footpath and bridleway users, the parish felt.
It also said there is no information about the type of weapons or ammunition intended. Therefore, the level of fire-power, noise and risk is unknown. No risk assessments or reports have been provided, the parish said. Also if ammunition contains lead or similar materials, there is potential risk of pollution and danger to humans and animals, a stream and the River Calder below, according to the parish.
A Pendle Council footpaths officer had also objected, stating:
“This is incompatible with the public rights of way, due to a risk of harm to footpath users,
"And a perceived risk of harm which would have the effect of obstructing the footpath. Also the proposed shooting range would increase the volume of vehicle movements on the access road.
“There is no information about the potential impact of the noise generated by the firing range. Firearms would be discharged within 60metres of a public bridleway. There is no indication that this is a safe distance with respect to bridleway users with horses, which could be spooked by the sudden sound of a gun being fired.”
However, supporters say the shooting club would provide shooting activities for visually-impaired people and children and contribute positively to the sport.
They believe the Higham location is suitable, safe and secure, and activities would also support professional standards in game-keeping and countryside management.
One person, described as a local farmer, shooter and livery yard owner, says shooting and equestrian activities have long co-existed in the countryside. Many horse events, including some gymkhanas, include shooting elements, and traffic movements would be minimal, he said.
Pendle planning officers are recommending approval with conditions. The shooting targets would have primary and secondary containment areas, a sand catcher and an earth butt behind it.