This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'decision to withdraw objection to the development proposal by Prospect Gun Club for clay pigeon shooting facility at Prospect Farm, Prospect Lane, Rixton, Warrington'.

From:
Storey, Claire (NE)
To:
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx;
cc:
xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx;
Thomas, Paul (NE); 
Subject:
5698_75073_2012_19709 Clay Pigeon Shoot Prospect Farm, Prospect Lane, Warrington
Date:
29 January 2013 16:22:00
Attachments:
Land Use Planning Consultation Feedback form (v.2.1.2)_pub_0001.pdf
Dear Richard
With regard to the most recent ornithological report and in relation to our previous email of 8
October, we have the following comments to make.
In our response of 6 August 2012, we stated that we were generally satisfied with the level of survey 
and the proposals for screening and monitoring.  However, you contacted Natural England to advise 
that it was not possible to condition any of the proposals as specified by the applicant.  We stated in 
our response of 8 October that if conditions could not be applied due to the enforceability of them, 
then we would still have concerns about this application.  Our comments made in the email of 8 
October makes it clear that our original objection (29 May 2012) still stands should the mitigation 
and monitoring proposed be unenforceable through conditions.
As we see it, the objection of 29 May 2012, is still in force as disturbance to breeding birds, which is 
one of the features of Risley Moss SSSI, is highly likely to occur.
The applicant needs to provide your Authority with a robust method to minimise/ negate disturbance 
to the notified features of the SSSI.  One of the ways in which this may be achievable, but would 
need a noise specialist to investigate, is to erect permanent acoustic screening to the north of the 
proposed shooting range. The extent of the acoustic screening would need to be determined by a
noise specialist.  The visual impacts of such screening would also need to be considered.  We are 
aware of some acoustic screening/ curtains which are used to minimise the noise during 
construction, but may be possible to consider use in the longer/ more permanent term.  We have 
provided a link to a manufacturer who state in their product information that up to 32dB noise 
reduction can be achieved by their curtains (http://soundexsolutions.com/curtains.html).  At this point 
we are not endorsing the company who supply the acoustic curtains, but offering you and the 
applicant a way in which the noise could be attenuated to a degree that may lessen/ negate the 
effect on breeding birds.  If the noise specialist can provide confirmation that this mitigation measure
would be effective, consideration could also be given to erecting these (or similar) acoustic
curtaining around the shooting enclosures.
In light of the above, we re-affirm that we object to this application on the grounds of insufficient 
information to prevent damage or harm to features of Risley Moss SSSI.  Should the applicant 
provide additional information to satisfy Natural England and your Authority that the proposals will
not damage or harm the SSSI, we may be in a position to remove our objection.  We look forward to 
seeing additional information in due course.
If your Authority is minded to grant consent for this application contrary to the advice relating to 
Risley Moss contained in this letter, we refer you to Section 28I (6) of the
Wildlife and 
Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), specifically the duty placed upon your authority, requiring 

that your Authority; 

Provide notice to Natural England of the permission, and of its terms, the notice to 
include a statement of how (if at all) your authority has taken account of Natural England’s advice, 
and

Shall not grant a permission which would allow the operations to start before the end of a 
period of 21 days beginning with the date of that notice. 
I have also attached a Customer Feedback Survey. The aim of the survey is to monitor the quality of 
our service and contributes to Natural England’s commitment to an improved customer focus. If you 
would like to let us have your views, we would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to answer 
these questions and return the completed form to us, by email. Thank you.
Regards
Claire Storey
Lead Adviser
Land Use Operations Team - Crewe
Natural England
25 Queen Street
Leeds
LS1 2TW
Tel: 0300 060 4230
Mob: 0778 597 7285
Please note I work a 9 day fortnight and my usual non work day is 
Friday.
My global crossing teleconference number is 0800 528 5280 (Landlines) and 0207 979 0003 (Mobile 
phones). Access code: 0604230
www.naturalengland.org.uk
We are here to secure a healthy natural environment for people to 
enjoy, where wildlife is protected and England’s traditional 

landscapes are safeguarded for future generations.
In an effort to reduce Natural England's carbon footprint, I will, wherever possible, avoid travelling to 
meetings and attend via audio, video or web conferencing.