The owners of a controversial shooting range near a Tibetan monastery are due to meet the council to discuss their options for the site.
A social media post on the Stalking Directory, attributed to Gardners Guns which operates the site, said the range team would be meeting with local authority officials over submitting a major development application.
The post was subsequently deleted.
A Scottish Government reporter ruled recently that Eskdale Forestry Ltd has three months to demolish target ranges, training areas, toilets and a car park at its Clerkhill site after they were built without the required planning permission.
The planning and environmental appeals division (DPEA) decision was welcomed by residents of the nearby Samye Ling Tibetan Centre who said the sound of gunfire was “damaging the area’s peace and quality of life”.
A spokesperson for the centre said they were pleased with the outcome but were “aware” of plans to submit a major development application. They added that they hope for an “adequate opportunity for public consultation on the issue”.
Following the DPEA’s decision a spokesperson for Eskdale Forestry Ltd said it was “looking into their options” and would not comment any further.
The range was controversial from the outset as it was situated two kilometres from Samye Ling.
More than 20,000 people worldwide backed a petition seeking its closure with the Dalai Lama supporting the cause earlier this year.
Initially the council considered it a local development before reconsidering it a major one and said a fresh application would need to be lodged.
The range owners have argued the site creates jobs and generates income for the area.
