AN EQUESTRIAN centre at Inwardleigh has won approval to use part of its site for paint ball activities subject to conditions minimising disturbance to a nature area and local residents.
The Grange Equestrian Centre plans to provide employment for four extra people and invest £20,000 into the venture.
The proposal relates to three hectares of undulating land which includes a clay pigeon/laser gun shooting area currently the subject of enforcement action to secure its complete removal and the restoration of the ground to its former natural condition.
Owner Tom Courtney, who has had his application for a clay shooting facility turned down three times, said paint ball, as a sport was harmonious to the environment and widely enjoyed by all levels of the community.
But concerns were expressed by the Environment Agency, English Nature and the Devon Wildlife Trust about the possible detrimental
impact on wildlife in woodland to the east of the site known as Hookmoor Brook.
This issue was a worry to three local residents who felt activities would also disturb the tranquillity of the area and lead to another application for clay pigeon shooting at the site.
Taking these issues into consideration planners granted approval on the conditions that the paint ball activities shall only take place between the hours of 6am and 10pm and a wildlife and nature conservation management plan be submitted.
In the interests of nature conservation it was also stated that no activities shall take place within seven metres of the streams adjacent to the application site or within a nature/refuge area at the confluence of the streams.
Other conditions related to the removal of buildings in conjunction with the enforcement action and limitations on music or sounds played in connection with the venture.