srvet

OK guys, this is another consultation that requires our support - see below: This potentially affects anyone shooting at static targets on land that does not have planning permission in Scotland. If we could collectively respond that would be immensely useful.

online responses:  Scottish Government Review of Permitted Development Rights - Phase 3 - Scottish Government - Citizen Space
Email responses:  Planning.PDR3@gov.scot

Written responses:
Development Management Team (PDR Review)
Planning and Architecture Division
Scottish Government
Area 2F South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh EH6 6QQ

The following is from an email from my club:

The MSP for Scotland who covers Eskdalemuir area has proposed an amendment to the Permitted Development Rights contained within the Town & Country Planning (Scotland) act which would seek to make ALL SHOOTING AT FIXED TARGETS subject to planning permission, irrespective of how many days a year they are shooting (ie the end of the '28 day rule'). Ms Harper has specifically excluded Game shooting etc (please read proposed amendment below) and therefore this is a direct attack on target shooting only, which will have a significant effect on many ranges operating in Scotland, and not just rifle shooting (im thinking UKPSA???) 
THIS NEEDS STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS BY AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO SHOW THAT WE WILL NOT SIT DOWN AND LET THIS PASS!!
Responses can be made direct online, by email or in writing, see the links at the bottom of the page.

SHARE THIS FAR AND WIDE, ANYONE WHO HAS NRA OR SIMILAR CONTACTS OR BASC/ ETC PLEASE GET THEM INVOLVED TOO. 

Scotland is the thin edge of the wedge, they will be coming for the rest of the UK if this gets through parliament.

Link to online article on Scottish Parliament website:
Permitted Development Rights review - phase 3: consultation

6.2 Temporary Use of Land: Shooting Ranges

Current PDR for temporary use of land
6.2.1 Class 15 of the GPDO allows a temporary activity – or different use – to take place on land for up to 28 days, within a calendar year, without needing to apply for planning permission. The terms of class 15 are flexible: they apply to any activity, except use of land for a caravan site, and they do not apply to land within the curtilage of a building. Moveable structures associated with the temporary use can be placed on the land during the 28-day period but must be removed from the land at other times. The 28 days is a cumulative total in any calendar year.

Context for change: temporary use of land

6.2.2 It has been brought to our attention that these provisions might be used to establish temporary firing ranges comprising the provision of fixed targets associated with the use of firearms. Concerns have been expressed about the potential disruption and amenity impacts that such uses can have, particularly in respect of noise. It should be noted that, whether or not a planning application is required, the use of firearms is subject to separate licensing and checks by Police Scotland to ensure public safety. For ranges this will include a requirement of a safety certificate issued by the National Rifle Association or a similar body, as well as having adequate insurance being in place.
6.2.3 In light of the potential amenity impacts associated with such uses or activities, we would welcome views on whether there is merit in excluding them from the scope of class 15 PDR. In considering such an amendment, 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 many instances, such activities carried out on a temporary basis may not constitute 'development' under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. In those cases, planning permission is not required – whether granted via PDR or following a planning application.
6.2.4 A further consideration is that certain types of shooting activities, which may involve target shooting, are exempt from authorisation under firearms legislation. Namely, activities which fall under:

• The following provisions of the Firearms Act 1968:
  • Section 11(4) (miniature rifle ranges);
  • Section 11(6) (approved shotgun events);
  • The activities of servants of the Crown, including cadet corps, operating in their official capacity under Section 54.
• The following provisions of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015:
  • Section 17 (approved air weapon events);
  • Section 23 (recreational shooting facilities);
  • Paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 (cadet corps);
  • Paragraph 17 of Schedule 1 (public servants carrying out official duties).

6.2.5 If class 15 is amended so that it does not apply to temporary target shooting ranges, the activities listed above would (where they involve development) require a planning application. However, they would continue to be exempt from authorisation under firearms legislation. Although planning and firearms legislation deal with separate matters, we would nevertheless be interested to hear respondents' thoughts on: a) whether it would be proportionate to withdraw PDR for those temporary shooting activities which are exempt from firearms authorisation; and b) whether there is sufficient planning justification for doing so (e.g., amenity impacts associated with noise).
6.2.6 It should be noted that any amendment to class 15 PDR would have no effect on established shooting or gun clubs with an existing planning permission. Nor would such a change affect organisations intending to use land for a particular purpose for more than 28 days a year, which would be beyond the scope of class 15 in any case. If an amendment is taken forward, those temporary uses no longer permitted under class 15 would need to be the subject of a planning application before they could be carried out (see paragraph 1.3.6).

Proposals: temporary use of land

6.2.7 We would welcome views on potentially amending class 15 of the GPDO to exclude the use of land as a temporary shooting range comprising fixed targets associated with firearms.
Question 30: Do you have any comments on the potential exclusion of the use of land as a target shooting range from class 15 PDR? If such a change were taken forward, do you have views on the potential justification for exempting the activities discussed in paragraphs 6.2.4 and 6.2.5?
Please add any comment in support of your answer
online responses:  Scottish Government Review of Permitted Development Rights - Phase 3 - Scottish Government - Citizen Space
Email responses:  Planning.PDR3@gov.scot

Written responses:
Development Management Team (PDR Review)
Planning and Architecture Division
Scottish Government
Area 2F South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh EH6 6QQ