Clay pigeon range has longer opening in sights
INTEREST IN THE COUNTRY SPORT HAS SHOT UP SINCE COVID, SAYS COUNCIL STATEMENT
THE owners of a clay-pigeon shooting range near Ashbourne want to be able to open for longer throughout the year after interest shot up during the pandemic
The Harboro Rocks Clay Shoot has been in operation off Manystones Lane on farmland north of Carsington Water for nearly 40 years, but became a formal business in 2010.
However, the site can only open for up to 28 days under permitted development rights, with formal planning permission needed for more days of the year.
Now the owners, the Newton family, have applied to run the business for more days of the year.
A statement from Derbyshire County Council development control says this means the business wants to open “all year round”, saying: “The proposal is for the change of use of agricultural land to mixed use for agricultural and clay shooting and to also use the shooting range all year round rather than the 28-day permitted development, which the site currently operates at.”
A report submitted by the applicants with their application says: “Covid-19 has meant people are looking for outdoor activities and we have seen an increased take up of people wanting to learn to shoot and existing shooters asking us to be open more days so they can carry on with their outdoor sports at every opportunity.
“This has had a significant positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing in particular being able to remain active and socialise in a safe outdoor environment.
“Both members and non-members have expressed, through verbal requests to Harboro Rocks Clay Shoot, that increased opportunities to shoot on both weekdays and weekends is something that they are keen to do and to have, so they avoid having to travel long distances to shoot, and which this application seeks to facilitate.”
The report says there is only one other regularly open clay shooting ground which is a 40-minute drive from the site – “which leaves a large gap in local facilities”.
It says customers must hold a shotgun licence to attend the clay pigeon shooting ground, or be supervised by someone with a current licence.
Information from the Home Office included in the report shows Derbyshire has the highest number of shotgun licences out of its surrounding counties – with 12,255.
The report says people shoot clay pigeons “as a leisure activity, to gain experience and hone skills”.
It says: “Customers use the ground for general practice as a hobby, and to progress in regional and national competitions also representing Great Britain.”
This, it says, includes a mother and daughter team who are shooting at the site as part of the skill’s section of the child’s Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
The report says there has been a “vast” increase in demand in the past year from people wanting to learn to shoot; tourists wanting to shoot while on holidays in Derbyshire; people wanting to take part in game days – and travelling from across the UK and staying in holidays to do so; and for competition shoots.
It details that the business currently has two full-time roles, nine part-time staff and four self-employed instructors, with consent to expand “securing” these roles.
Cllr Sir Richard Fitzherbert, who submitted a support statement, said: “This is an excellent application and is to be welcomed by all in the community.
“The Newtons run a well respected and well known establishment where the aim is based around coordination, education, skill and respect for the utensils involved.
“They have been established on the site for over ten years – the site for over 40 years – and as well as educating young and old people they have raised an enormous amount of money for charities both local and national.
“I gather that this is to be increased in the future. “This application is to be applauded.”
The Derbyshire Dales Ramblers have raised concerns about an “increase in unexpected noises from shooting” and about the increase in vehicles travelling to and from the site, causing “potential” hazards for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
The Peak and Northern Footpaths Society wrote: “In other locations, this would be a real problem, but since any possible peaceful enjoyment of the area is already greatly reduced by the presence of the adjacent factory, the extra noise and visual intrusion caused by the development is of less consequence.”
Meanwhile, Goodwin PLC, the owner of land which customers use to access the clay pigeon shoot site from Manystones Lane, has asked for the application to be withdrawn - primarily because they were not given notice.
This is an excellent application and is to be welcomed by all in the community.
Cllr Sir Richard Fitzherbert