LANDING facilities for helicopters bringing clients to pheasant and partridge shoots near Wiveliscombe were recommended for approval by Somerset West and Taunton planning officers yesterday.

Bulland Shooting Estate owner Mr J Ball applied to the district council’s planning committee for retrospective planning permission for a helipad on land south of New Road, 680 metres from the town and 140 metres from the B3227 road.

The committee heard that the helipad had been in use throughout 2019, with flights starting at 6am, and there was concern about low-flying helicopters, disturbance of livestock and wildlife and increased noise and pollution.

But planning officers recommended that shoot organisers could continue to use the helipad for 28 days between the beginning of October and the end of January between 7am and 7pm and for emergency use by air ambulances.

For the full story see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.