Planing permission has been granted for the development of a clay pigeon shooting range at Tullassa, close to Inch.
Clare County Council gave the go-ahead to Michael Haren of Tullassa to construct the range, which will include four shooting huts, a car park, tea room, access road and associated works subject to six planning conditions.
Among the conditions imposed is that the clay shooting range only operates between the hours of 10am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays unless otherwise agreed in writing with the planning authority.
According to the planning file, three people will be employed in the proposed development. Initially, according to the applicant, the grounds are to be used as a facility for current licensed gun owners to utilise and such persons attending the grounds will supply their own guns and ammunition.
According to the applicant it is not proposed to store any equipment or guns at the development. He explained that when required the clay launchers and clays will be brought to the site and set up in the trap houses.
It was outlined in the planning documents that should the use of the grounds be successful it is hoped to be able to facilitate non-gun owners to attend the grounds. In such instances, the applicant would procure the additional guns and ammunition and these guns would be stored off site in a secure manner.
The requirements of An Garda Siochána will be followed and adhered to with regard to the storage of any additional guns. No objections or submissions were made to the application, and there was one representation made by Councillor Tom McNamara in favour of the development.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.