A TACTICAL gun range that recently opened in Tadley may have breached planning conditions, according to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

South England Tactical Gun Range, in Ash Park Business Centre, opened its doors in June, offering target shooting, axe throwing, and close-quarter battle programmes.

However, concerns were raised about the gun range by residents, with one, who wished to remain anonymous, telling the Gazette that they were 'horrified' as they 'could hear gunshots until 10pm'.

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The resident added: "We were hearing it and we were horrified. We were assured we wouldn’t hear anything, that’s obviously not the case."

The gun range is permitted to open from 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 1pm on Saturdays and 'at no other times on a Sunday or public holiday' according to the site's most recent planning reference from June 2015.

The hours of operation for the business park were limited to 'minimise noise and disturbance to neighbouring residents'.

A spokesperson for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council confirmed it is currently investigating whether the range has breached planning permissions.

They added: "An enforcement case is ongoing into the breach of planning condition regarding the hours of operation and an investigation is ongoing into the use of the site, both at the South England Tactical Gun Range.

"The hours of operation are controlled by conditions set out under planning reference 14/02995/FUL.”

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Unit 4b, where the gun range is located in the business park, was formerly used by tent manufacturing company 10x15 Structures, with the unit classified for general industrial, storage and distribution usage. 

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary confirmed it is aware of the range but has no involvement in licensing such ranges, because it operates under an exemption in the Firearms Act 1968, meaning it does not require a licence. 

The range uses a variety of original Sig Sauer air rifles to teach the courses, in addition to blank pistols.

A spokesperson for South England Tactical Gun Range told the Gazette that they do not wish to comment on the enforcement case.