Controversial Eskdalemuir shooting range near Tibetan monastery to be taken down

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Scottish Government decision to close down a controversial shooting range near a Tibetan monastery in Eskdalemuir has been welcomed.Eskdale Forestry Ltd have three months to take down target ranges, training areas, toilets and the car park at its Clerkhill site.It lost an appeal to the Scottish Government after the council refused planning permission and issued an enforcement notice.There had been significant community opposition to the range due to its proximity to the Samye Ling Tibetan Centre which complained that the sound of gunfire was “detrimental to religious practices”.

A spokesperson for the centre said: “While we are pleased to hear the Scottish Government has found no grounds for appealing the council’s enforcement notice, we are aware that our neighbours are considering submitting plans under a major development application instead. “If this goes ahead we hope there will be an adequate opportunity for public consultation on the issue.”The local authority imposed the enforcement notice on the site in March which led to the appeal from Eskdale Forestry to the Scottish Government’s planning and environmental appeals division (DPEA).

Reporter Nick Smith said: “I dismiss the appeal and direct that the enforcement notice dated March 25, 2022, be upheld. “The appeal failed on all grounds.

I have considered all of the matters before me and found none that would lead me to reach a different conclusion. Accordingly, I uphold the enforcement notice.” He added: “What I saw on my site visit confirms the shooting range, target areas, car park, training centre and hardstanding for toilets and the associated construction and engineering works alleged by the enforcement notice have occurred.“Since the existing use is