An application for an archery course using 3D foam targets was approved by Herefordshire Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday, January 13th.

Officers were authorised to grant planning permission, subject to additional conditions, for the application to install animal targets on a circuit through Lynders Wood, at Upton Bishop, near Ross-on-Wye. The application also included a reception area, off road parking and serviced portable toilets.

This planning application was deferred at the last meeting to allow a site visit to be undertaken. The application site area has now been clarified, and is a reduction from that originally submitted, which included land in a third parties’ ownership, due to a drafting error.

The application site comprises the southeasterly part of Lynders Wood, an Ancient Woodland, in Upton Bishop, which lies between the M50 and the B4221 Roads.

The applicant advised that the nature of the business would be low key, chiefly set up to provide a facility that does not exist in Herefordshire, an archery course open to the public (by appointment), and to accommodate his and his partner’s archery hobby.

The applicant stated that the activity will only take place during daylight on weekends and Bank Holidays, with a maximum of eight participants at any one time. They also stated that the way the course is designed will mean that it is not possible for the arrows to shoot out of the site. Cross bow and bows with any form of mechanical advantage will not be permitted.

Linton Parish Council did not support this application and several letters of objection were submitted. These included concerns about road safety, the damage to the ecology and the servicing of portable toilets.