Shooting range plan rejected

PLANS to build the country’s first underground shooting range were yesterday knocked by planners at Limerick County Council.

Anthony O’Connor had applied to develop a bunker- type firing range on a site at Dromin Athlacca.

The facility would cover an area of almost 700sq m.

It was being geared for people licensed to hold firearms.

Limerick County Council yesterday refused planning permission after a number of local people lodged objections to the facility.

Some feared Limerick criminals might try and force their way into the range late at night to do target practice.

They were also concerned at the amount of additional road traffic it would draw into a rural area of Co Limerick.

In refusing planning permission, the council said such commercial developments should generally be located in or near settlements where all necessary infrastructure has been provided.

The council cited the effect the development would have on adjacent and nearby properties, and adverse transport effects.

If planning was granted, the council claims it would contravene the County Development Plan of 2005.

The council said approval of such a development would further set a precedent for similar “such inappropriate” developments in rural areas.