Hunters Holme Higham shooting range expansion approved

The club at Hunters Holme in Grove Lane, Higham, wanted to change the use of land on part of the site to create a shooting range, with the creation of bunds – mounds of earth – and a car park.

Despite objections from Higham Parish Council over development on green belt land and the impact on nearby public rights of way, Pendle Council has approved the plans.

The location was described in the application as “suitable, safe and secure” and the change was also praised as supporting training in gamekeeping and countryside management.

The development will also allow the club to provide activities to members and visitors, training the next generation of sports shooters, and it was also said by backers of the plans shooting has long been a well-established countryside activity.

Complaints against the plans centred around the proximity to public bridleways nearby, with fears there would be too much noise and “possibly danger” to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

However, a noise assessment found the bunds were effective in reducing noise from the range to acceptable levels.

A report by the National Small-Bore Rifle Association added: “The development of this range has clearly been considered; the range operator is congratulated for offering a diverse variety of target disciplines within the sport facility.

“The range complies with national governing body advice on the design, construction and maintenance of target shooting ranges.”

Pendle Council approved the plans with 12 conditions, including a restriction on what firearms can be used on the range, the number of people allowed on the range at one time, and other restrictions around the car park area.

Flags and signs will also be installed around the site to alert users of the bridleways of the possibility of gunfire nearby.