How much would it cost to build a range from scratch?

[Gaz]

With all the talk about the NRA being Bisley-centric and patting itself on the back for increasing range use at Bisley while regional ranges are closed down, I was wondering how much it would cost to build a range from scratch?

Let's keep it simple: say a 600yds gallery range, manual target frames, with a limited danger area trace, capable of handling calibres up to .338LM.

[Thorney]

I'm up to £20k just on the planning fees.

[zanes]

I reckon (and this has been bourne out from one of the ranges I know) that the locals going "OH MY GOD GUNS" will be a surprisingly large hurdle.

[Thorney]

I reckon (and this has been bourne out from one of the ranges I know) that the locals going "OH MY GOD GUNS" will be a surprisingly large hurdle.

Yep. Fortunately there is no legal stance for that reaction so as long as you can pass all the other standards required then its possible. As was said in our planning meeting (which we lost) 'fear of something that 'could' happen is not grounds for planning refusal"

Most people give up as the costs are just mad, almost as it the planners try to buy you out of applying but I'm committed to our plans and will put as much into as I have to get the result.

[zanes]

Depending on where you are (location wise and in terms of progress) I might be able to put you in touch with the chap who built the one I'm talking about above, if that's helpful.

[dave_303]

It may be easier with a disused MoD range, there is one in Zummerset, Pillning range, the danger area would be the Severn, you can still see the butts on google maps.

[the running man]

An indoor range would be best,u could then have it wherever u wanted,old factory old warehouse,what ever.....

[Tomo]

My clubs (finally?!) had planning permission granted for a seperate fullbore outdoor range in another part of Beds. It used to be a Police range as far as I'm aware, however we still had to overcome the local residents reservations and complaints (even though the site has been used previously for shooting!). We're still in the early phases of construction, but at the last AGM the committee reckoned it'd cost about £60k to get it up and running with (very) basic amenities.

[Brookers]

I'm currently activly exploring this for my club and the more I find out about it the more I honestly beleive that unless your lucky enough to be in a very very remote part of the country the chances of getting the planning permission for an open air range are pretty unlikely.
For an example a RFD here in Somerset managed to get planning permission for a 100m full bore range and 3x 50m gallery rifle ranges on a site next to the largest open cast quarry in europe.
Now that project has cost him somewhere close to 100k just to gain the planning permission (he isn't nuts, he will make the money back from the tipping!).
Time wise it took over 10 years to get the planning permission. In the end it needed a public enquirey with a inspector from Westminster to oversee it as all the local councilers were to afraid to make a decision!
So the question is can you/your club afford to take the huge gamble that the planning process is these days?

Personally I'm convinced the only way new ranges will be created is indoor facilities. I have my lottery ticket, do you?

Brookers

[dave_303]

For an example a RFD here in Somerset managed to get planning permission for a 100m full bore range and 3x 50m gallery rifle ranges on a site next to the largest open cast quarry in europe.
Now that project has cost him somewhere close to 100k just to gain the planning permission (he isn't nuts, he will make the money back from the tipping!).
Time wise it took over 10 years to get the planning permission. In the end it needed a public enquirey with a inspector from Westminster to oversee it as all the local councilers were to afraid to make a decision!
S
Brookers

I've heard of Hobbsy's range, I remember being in there a few years ago and he mentioned that with the planned clay traps a local school (iirc) was opposing it on the grounds of noise scaring the children (will someone PLEASE think of the children! :roll: ), the local FEO went over to discuss it with the head who claimed the noise would be horrific, only for him to be informed that said RFD had been shooting for the last 30 minutes.