In reply to everyone:
I have spoken to the consultant who submitted the application on behalf of the gun club.
I have read all of the documents on the Bolton planning web-site which relate to this application.
I visited the site yesterday and took measurements.
I have lodged an objection to one part of the planning application.
The gun club in question, Bolton Gun Club, sought advice from their National Association, on how to upgrade their facilities to enable 50 metre shooting. Unfortunately their advisor neglected to mention the need for planning permission. That is why they are applying retrospectively for permission.
The main objectives for the gun club seem to be to increase membership (which currently stands at approximately 70), particularly the number of young, disabled and female members. However, one of the documents submitted implies that they do not expect a significant increase in membership:"It is anticipated that these additional members would be the families of existing members which would not increase the number of vehicles visiting the site",*
I have suggested in my objection that if the container was sited in the area designated on the Proposed Site Development plan as the New Car Park area (i.e. the area of flat ground immediately to the right as you enter the quarry) it would cause no inconvenience to climbers.
Wilton 2 and Wilton 3 are used by two totally separate gun clubs. It may be confusing for some readers if we mention rubbish-dumping and blocked stiles as these have not taken place in Wilton 3.
I am not a shooter, I am a climber. I hope that this information will be helpful to anyone who still hasn't made their objection to the application.
Mike Blood
*Of some concern in light of one of Geoff's comments above, however, is that the same document (called 'Agent re: highways'. I cannot post the link) claims that shooters can use the quarry on Mondays. Has this been negotiated with the BMC?