Warrington Borough Council has denied a retrospective planning application for the operation of airsoft activities at a former clay pigeon shooting site.
The proposal, put forward by Owls Hoot Target Club, sought to legitimise the use of the site for airsoft activities, alongside the existing consented uses on the site. Airsoft games are classed as a sui-generis use under the Use Classes Order 1987.
The application aimed to formalise the ongoing airsoft games that have taken place on the premises since February 2022, proposing operational hours from 08:00 to 16:00 on Sundays. This move came after a previous attempt to amend the site’s use for airsoft activities through a Non-Material Amendment was unsuccessful.
Despite the club’s intentions to diversify its recreational offerings, the proposal faced opposition from Glazebrook Parish Council and local residents, who raised concerns over the potential increase in traffic along the area’s narrow lanes.
The site, which received permission in 2014 for use as a clay pigeon shooting club, along with archery and air rifle shooting facilities, has been a staple in the community, providing a designated space for shooting sports.
The decision marks a significant setback for Owls Hoot Target Club, which had embraced airsoft as a new venture after the Prospect Target Club ceased operations early in 2022. The new business venture aimed to introduce a dynamic and engaging recreational activity to the area but now faces challenges in adapting to the planning constraints outlined by the local authorities.
As the community digests this latest development, the future of airsoft games at the site remains uncertain, with the club and its supporters left to consider alternative strategies to accommodate the growing interest in airsoft.
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