Post by stef242 on Jul 3, 2023 18:40:21 GMT
Hi folks,
Just wanted to flag that there’s an open consultation on changing permitted development (PD) rights for temporary shooting ranges with fixed targets. This includes considering the removal of current PD rights for temporary air weapon ranges, meaning that in future one might need to obtain planning consent to run a temporary event.
See: www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-review-permitted-development-rights-phase-3-consultation/pages/6/
Curiously they don’t intend to remove PD rights for non fixed target shooting (e.g. clay pigeon, paintball, etc.).
I would recommend that everyone reply to the consultation politely pointing out in their own words that:
From experience, the government responds to clearly articulated and justified submissions (not suggesting the above qualifies but hopefully it inspires), and it would be more powerful if air gun clubs were to respond in a concerted manner on behalf of their members.
Hope this is helpful,
Stef
Just wanted to flag that there’s an open consultation on changing permitted development (PD) rights for temporary shooting ranges with fixed targets. This includes considering the removal of current PD rights for temporary air weapon ranges, meaning that in future one might need to obtain planning consent to run a temporary event.
See: www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-review-permitted-development-rights-phase-3-consultation/pages/6/
Curiously they don’t intend to remove PD rights for non fixed target shooting (e.g. clay pigeon, paintball, etc.).
I would recommend that everyone reply to the consultation politely pointing out in their own words that:
In 6.2.2 the problem is stated as, "Concerns have been expressed about the potential disruption and amenity impacts that such uses can have, particularly in respect of noise.”
In 6.2.3 the government says, “...our intention would not be to remove PDR for temporary activities that do not involve fixed targets, such as game shooting, clay pigeon shooting or paintball.”
In 6.2.4 the government notes that amending Class 15 as they propose could require temporary air weapon shooting to obtain planning consent.
We note that compressed air weapons have a completely different sound profile to weapons that rely on an explosive, and in comparison are essentially silent. The shotguns that the government proposes to not affect in 6.2.2 are essentially the loudest firearm available to the public. The sound of gunfire from the National Shooting Centre (shotguns) at Falkirk can be readily heard over 2.5km away, over 17 times the distance that one might barely discern the sound of air weapons being discharged from our outdoor club.
We note that amending class 15 PD rights as proposed by the government is therefore technically inconsistent with the stated objective of the amendment. We further note that the government has provided no evidence that air weapons (now licensed in Scotland but not licensed in England or most of the EU) cause any noise nuisance either in temporary or in permanent applications.
Therefore we do not consider it to be at all proportionate for the government to withdraw class 15 PD from air weapons given that, (a) air weapons are by their nature virtually silent and are incapable of causing a noise nuisance at any meaningful distance, and (b) the government has provided no evidence justifying there is such significant noise nuisance in Scotland from temporary shooting of air weapons that it merits a change to class 15 of the GPDO.
In 6.2.3 the government says, “...our intention would not be to remove PDR for temporary activities that do not involve fixed targets, such as game shooting, clay pigeon shooting or paintball.”
In 6.2.4 the government notes that amending Class 15 as they propose could require temporary air weapon shooting to obtain planning consent.
We note that compressed air weapons have a completely different sound profile to weapons that rely on an explosive, and in comparison are essentially silent. The shotguns that the government proposes to not affect in 6.2.2 are essentially the loudest firearm available to the public. The sound of gunfire from the National Shooting Centre (shotguns) at Falkirk can be readily heard over 2.5km away, over 17 times the distance that one might barely discern the sound of air weapons being discharged from our outdoor club.
We note that amending class 15 PD rights as proposed by the government is therefore technically inconsistent with the stated objective of the amendment. We further note that the government has provided no evidence that air weapons (now licensed in Scotland but not licensed in England or most of the EU) cause any noise nuisance either in temporary or in permanent applications.
Therefore we do not consider it to be at all proportionate for the government to withdraw class 15 PD from air weapons given that, (a) air weapons are by their nature virtually silent and are incapable of causing a noise nuisance at any meaningful distance, and (b) the government has provided no evidence justifying there is such significant noise nuisance in Scotland from temporary shooting of air weapons that it merits a change to class 15 of the GPDO.
From experience, the government responds to clearly articulated and justified submissions (not suggesting the above qualifies but hopefully it inspires), and it would be more powerful if air gun clubs were to respond in a concerted manner on behalf of their members.
Hope this is helpful,
Stef
