Blackburn air gun club set to be given planning permission

7:00am Monday 17th September 2012 in News

AN AIRGUN club set up in countryside without planning permission looks set to be granted approval retrospectively.

The club, on agricultural land and woodland at Higher Whitehalgh Farm, Feniscowles, has previously been refused retrospective planning permission because of the visual impact on the area.

Blackburn Outdoor Airgun Club has three hides and a toilet, which have been built on the site underneath a tree canopy, as well as a gravelled car park.

Originally the hides were made out of profiled metal sheet painted in camouflage colours, which Blackburn with Darwen council said were not in keeping with the location.

However, since then they have been modified and are now clad in timber.

The application is now due to be approved on the condition that the owners submit a woodland management plan within three months of approval.

The club is for use of air guns only and they submit a landscape plan within three months of planning approval to provide screening along one side of the car park.

A report set to go before Blackburn wirth Darwen Council said: “The hides appearances have been significantly modified from the previous planning application and are now clad in timber. This is a natural material which is in keeping with the countryside location. The number of structures on the site has also been reduced through removal of a hut used for BBQ’S.”

But the proposal has received objections by a nearby resident and Livesey Parish Council, who claim that the club has spoiled the look of the countryside and that the land should be allowed to return to its natural state.

A letter of objection to the council said: “There is very little difference between this amended scheme and the original proposal which was refused.

“The set up of this type of club is aesthetically displeasing to the local surroundings. The chosen site is in an area of ancient woodland and a heritage site that should be protected.

“Noise from the area will be detrimental to the local surroundings.”

The application is set to be discussed at the council’s Planning and Highway Committee on Thursday at 6.30pm.

Comments (16)

7:44am Mon 17 Sep 12

onlyonesimongarner says...

it frightened the life out of me when I took my dog for a walk up on the road near there. I thought i was being shot at. There should be warning signs up
it frightened the life out of me when I took my dog for a walk up on the road near there. I thought i was being shot at. There should be warning signs up onlyonesimongarner

10:16am Mon 17 Sep 12

airgunner1 says...

The majority of air rifles are silenced. There are warning signs, and a club rule is to stop shooting when people are on the lane as a courtesy, although no air rifle is ever pointed toward the lane at any time.
Our intention is to provide a safe and supervised enviroment in which people can use air guns,
The majority of air rifles are silenced. There are warning signs, and a club rule is to stop shooting when people are on the lane as a courtesy, although no air rifle is ever pointed toward the lane at any time. Our intention is to provide a safe and supervised enviroment in which people can use air guns, airgunner1

10:30am Mon 17 Sep 12

johnleo says...

airgunner1 wrote:
The majority of air rifles are silenced. There are warning signs, and a club rule is to stop shooting when people are on the lane as a courtesy, although no air rifle is ever pointed toward the lane at any time. Our intention is to provide a safe and supervised enviroment in which people can use air guns,
Little boys with little toys.
[quote][p][bold]airgunner1[/bold] wrote: The majority of air rifles are silenced. There are warning signs, and a club rule is to stop shooting when people are on the lane as a courtesy, although no air rifle is ever pointed toward the lane at any time. Our intention is to provide a safe and supervised enviroment in which people can use air guns,[/p][/quote]Little boys with little toys. johnleo

11:14am Mon 17 Sep 12

district01 says...

Go and get yourselves a dart board!
Go and get yourselves a dart board! district01

11:35am Mon 17 Sep 12

sen c ble says...

district01 wrote:
Go and get yourselves a dart board!
You'll struggle hitting the bullseye 50m away, unless that is if I lend you my Umarex!
[quote][p][bold]district01[/bold] wrote: Go and get yourselves a dart board![/p][/quote]You'll struggle hitting the bullseye 50m away, unless that is if I lend you my Umarex! sen c ble

1:47pm Mon 17 Sep 12

BuckoTheMoose says...

johnleo wrote:
airgunner1 wrote:
The majority of air rifles are silenced. There are warning signs, and a club rule is to stop shooting when people are on the lane as a courtesy, although no air rifle is ever pointed toward the lane at any time. Our intention is to provide a safe and supervised enviroment in which people can use air guns,
Little boys with little toys.
Why?
It's a hobby like any other
[quote][p][bold]johnleo[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]airgunner1[/bold] wrote: The majority of air rifles are silenced. There are warning signs, and a club rule is to stop shooting when people are on the lane as a courtesy, although no air rifle is ever pointed toward the lane at any time. Our intention is to provide a safe and supervised enviroment in which people can use air guns,[/p][/quote]Little boys with little toys.[/p][/quote]Why? It's a hobby like any other BuckoTheMoose

2:12pm Mon 17 Sep 12

onlyonesimongarner says...

airgunner1 wrote:
The majority of air rifles are silenced. There are warning signs, and a club rule is to stop shooting when people are on the lane as a courtesy, although no air rifle is ever pointed toward the lane at any time.
Our intention is to provide a safe and supervised enviroment in which people can use air guns,
Not when I was there Cocker
[quote][p][bold]airgunner1[/bold] wrote: The majority of air rifles are silenced. There are warning signs, and a club rule is to stop shooting when people are on the lane as a courtesy, although no air rifle is ever pointed toward the lane at any time. Our intention is to provide a safe and supervised enviroment in which people can use air guns,[/p][/quote]Not when I was there Cocker onlyonesimongarner

4:03pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Old fogey says...

To my knowledge this club has been in the locality for about 30 years (for which planning permission is not required). Now, when the members seek planning permission to make the range safer and more comfortable, everyone seems to want to object.
To my knowledge this club has been in the locality for about 30 years (for which planning permission is not required). Now, when the members seek planning permission to make the range safer and more comfortable, everyone seems to want to object. Old fogey

5:32pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Sajdin says...

No wonder we have a small number of the population interested in offensive weapons !
No wonder we have a small number of the population interested in offensive weapons ! Sajdin

7:49pm Mon 17 Sep 12

sen c ble says...

Sajdin wrote:
No wonder we have a small number of the population interested in offensive weapons !
To me it's a professional sport like archery. A good aim is a skill of the eye, thus training the brain. Like all things believe in discipline and live responsibly!
[quote][p][bold]Sajdin[/bold] wrote: No wonder we have a small number of the population interested in offensive weapons ![/p][/quote]To me it's a professional sport like archery. A good aim is a skill of the eye, thus training the brain. Like all things believe in discipline and live responsibly! sen c ble

8:01pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Caravaggio says...

With a motorway to the rear and a former tip to the front i doubt it would be too much of a blot on the landscape. I live nearby and theyre a good set of lads, and ladies of course.
With a motorway to the rear and a former tip to the front i doubt it would be too much of a blot on the landscape. I live nearby and theyre a good set of lads, and ladies of course. Caravaggio

8:19pm Mon 17 Sep 12

airgunner1 says...

sen c ble wrote:
Sajdin wrote:
No wonder we have a small number of the population interested in offensive weapons !
To me it's a professional sport like archery. A good aim is a skill of the eye, thus training the brain. Like all things believe in discipline and live responsibly!
It is indeed a professional sport, and an Olympic event.
[quote][p][bold]sen c ble[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Sajdin[/bold] wrote: No wonder we have a small number of the population interested in offensive weapons ![/p][/quote]To me it's a professional sport like archery. A good aim is a skill of the eye, thus training the brain. Like all things believe in discipline and live responsibly![/p][/quote]It is indeed a professional sport, and an Olympic event. airgunner1

1:47am Tue 18 Sep 12

Graham Hartley says...

Shotguns are discharged regularly each Sunday in Rishton. Local police tell me that it's legal, which is not to say that it's approved. The traffic to and from the site is via a narrow lane, so disturbing other users of the countryside.
Shotguns are discharged regularly each Sunday in Rishton. Local police tell me that it's legal, which is not to say that it's approved. The traffic to and from the site is via a narrow lane, so disturbing other users of the countryside. Graham Hartley

6:25am Tue 18 Sep 12

woolywords says...

The level of ignorance of the sport of air weapon shooting in both the article and the subsequent comments is staggering. And not helped at all by those who participate.
The care, control and use of any weapon requires anyone to achieve a very high level of personal discipline that only comes with supervised practise. If this is done in the environ of a club then this can only be applauded.
Or would the reader prefer the antithesis of this, where someone is taking pot shots at either passers-by, neighbours pets or the local wildlife?
The level of ignorance of the sport of air weapon shooting in both the article and the subsequent comments is staggering. And not helped at all by those who participate. The care, control and use of any weapon requires anyone to achieve a very high level of personal discipline that only comes with supervised practise. If this is done in the environ of a club then this can only be applauded. Or would the reader prefer the antithesis of this, where someone is taking pot shots at either passers-by, neighbours pets or the local wildlife? woolywords

10:02am Tue 18 Sep 12

Old fogey says...

woolywords wrote:
The level of ignorance of the sport of air weapon shooting in both the article and the subsequent comments is staggering. And not helped at all by those who participate.
The care, control and use of any weapon requires anyone to achieve a very high level of personal discipline that only comes with supervised practise. If this is done in the environ of a club then this can only be applauded.
Or would the reader prefer the antithesis of this, where someone is taking pot shots at either passers-by, neighbours pets or the local wildlife?
Woolywords talks more sense than I have heard in a long time. We have all seen how attempted bans on handguns, knives to the under 18's and other weapons have just made things worse. So, the only answer has to be education, if people are taught that misuse of items is wrong (and it is not just guns and knives, I note a report of someone severely injured by a broken glass over the weekend) preferably from a young age, it may do a lot more good.
[quote][p][bold]woolywords[/bold] wrote: The level of ignorance of the sport of air weapon shooting in both the article and the subsequent comments is staggering. And not helped at all by those who participate. The care, control and use of any weapon requires anyone to achieve a very high level of personal discipline that only comes with supervised practise. If this is done in the environ of a club then this can only be applauded. Or would the reader prefer the antithesis of this, where someone is taking pot shots at either passers-by, neighbours pets or the local wildlife?[/p][/quote]Woolywords talks more sense than I have heard in a long time. We have all seen how attempted bans on handguns, knives to the under 18's and other weapons have just made things worse. So, the only answer has to be education, if people are taught that misuse of items is wrong (and it is not just guns and knives, I note a report of someone severely injured by a broken glass over the weekend) preferably from a young age, it may do a lot more good. Old fogey

10:33pm Tue 18 Sep 12

paraglider1 says...

The people who criticise airgun shooting have no idea about the sport/ hobby !!!
'Weapon' ???? Airguns, rifles and pistols are not weapons. A house brick could be called a 'weapon' if you throw it at someone,,,yet we all live in houses made of bricks !!!
Airgun clubs bring good people together all with the same pasion and interest in a activity that promotes responsible shooting.
The people who criticise airgun shooting have no idea about the sport/ hobby !!! 'Weapon' ???? Airguns, rifles and pistols are not weapons. A house brick could be called a 'weapon' if you throw it at someone,,,yet we all live in houses made of bricks !!! Airgun clubs bring good people together all with the same pasion and interest in a activity that promotes responsible shooting. paraglider1

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