Planning Consent was granted temporarily for 3 years for the erection of an access gate and siting of three temporary storage containers and 1 portaloo and elevated timber walkway at the Dog Inn for people to enjoy Clay Pigeon Shooting.
It has been confirmed that Planning permission is not required for Clay Pigeon Shooting unless there are more than 28 shooting events per calender year. The Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 1995 states it is the stationing of containers that requires the planning consent not the shoot.
Heighington Councillor Gerald Lee has received numerous complaints from residents and said “Needless to say this concerns me when a shoot can be so close to houses without any thought of excess noise”.
The Environmental Health Dept. confirmed they have received complaints about the clay pigeon shooting since it moved from Stobb House Farm (Redworth) to the new location off New Lane. They are aware that Durham County Council have also received complaints from residents living in their area and the agreed approach is that Durham are to continue investigating complaints from residents in their area and Darlington officers will deal with complaints from residents in their area.
Noise equipment was installed in one of the complainant’s properties late last week to coincide with a shoot on 14th May. The Environment Officer will collect the equipment and listen to the recordings. It is likely the area will be visited to witness the noise one Sunday.
