Over Cassock Rifle Range has existed since 2017 operating as a farm diversification opportunity. The range is not currently operating whilst we bring the target systems up to competition standard.. The land is used for grazing cattle and sheep when the rifle range is not operating. It therefore remains agricultural land and can readily revert to this use when not in operation.
The site is located to the north west of the B709, approximately 4.3 miles to the north of Eskdalemuir. A location plan is attached showing the site outlined in red, of which only a very small portion will contain any hardstanding infrastructure. The vast majority of the site will continue to be used as agricultural land. Access into the site will be from the existing entrance from the B709.
The rurally located site is a wholly suitable location for a rifle range. It faces North into the secluded head of the valley away from any habitation with the ground rising to form a natural barrier.
As mentioned, the range has been operating successfully since 2017, under the provisions of the 28 day rule, which meant that planning was not required as set out in Class 15 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992.
The Applicant now proposes to upgrade the existing firing point with a permanent structure, and at the same time formalise the existing use of the land as a rifle range.
The initial drawings outline our approach to the development. To view these, please follow the links at the bottom of the page.
The shooting targets are distributed in a north-south pattern along the valley. For safety reasons these are located in target positions comprised of either earth richochet traps or granulated rubber backstops. In these cases, the only change will involve replacement of the existing targets with new targets.
The shooting will take place from a fixed location located in the centre of the site, shooting in a north direction. Each participant will start by aiming at the closer targets first and will only progress to the further out targets once the Range Conducting Officer is satisfied that they are capable of hitting those targets. Consequently, the projectiles accumulate within the ricochet traps/backstops from where they will be routinely collected to be recycled.
Farm animals are cleared from the range prior to the range going live. As a target shooting club, no live quarry are ever shot at. Strict health and safety requirements are in place on site.
Request for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Opinion
The Applicant submitted an EIA screening request to the Council in September 2021. While this was not something which the Council had requested, the Applicant was keen to submit a comprehensive package of information to demonstrate that the proposals would not give rise to any significant environmental effects in respect of noise or on local wildlife or their habitats.
The Council confirmed on 17 01 2022 that having reviewed the submitted information, there would be no significant environmental effects caused by the proposals which would require submission of an EIA report.
The submitted Noise Impact Assessment (NIA) and Preliminary Ecological Assessment (PEA) to help inform the Screening Opinion are attached below.
Documents are available from the download page here