Military chiefs are battling plans for a £150million housing and leisure development neighbouring one of its north-east training sites.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has objected to proposals for 550 homes and a new town centre, which would include a cinema, at Blackdog.
The body owns Blackdog Rifle Range, which is used by a number of different military groups, including the local reserve forces and MoD police, for training.
The facility is made up of 12 and six lane gallery ranges, as well as demolition, baton gun, clay pigeon and dry training facilities.
Now the MoD has warned council planners that they would be noisy neighbours, while suggesting the development – put forward by Ashfield Lane – would create a “sensitive environment” not suited to their “live firing and demolitions” activities.
The government department said the noise from the many exercises would prove “particularly disturbing” to those living at or visiting the development.
The objection, penned by the government body’s defence infrastructure organisation, claims issues relating to noise had “not taken into consideration” by the developer.
The MoD also fears for public safety, claiming the proposals would “create an increased trespass risk” at the range.
It also protests that an access road that forms part of the plans, which is the only means of access to its site, would end up “congested”.
The plans for the Blackdog site include the creation of retail and food outlets, a 850-seat cinema, a 150-bed hotel, a supermarket and office space.
They have been lodged to Aberdeenshire Council across two applications – one for the housing development and associated infrastructure and another for the “town centre”.
A MoD spokesman said: “The MoD has significant concerns regarding the proposed development and its appropriateness for the application site.
“These concerns include the potential noise levels that would be experienced at the application site as a result of the training activities undertaken at the MoD site and the associated impact on the occupants of the proposed buildings – and the potential impact of the proposed development on the training activities undertaken at the MoD site – as well as other concerns, including national security and public safety, highway and flood risk concerns.
“The MoD has significant concerns regarding the issue of noise. It would appear that the impact of the training activities undertaken at Blackdog Ranges does not appear to have been taken into consideration by the applicant.”
However Blackdog resident, Nicola Brown, said: “If the Blackdog development was to go ahead it would be good for this area because there is absolutely nothing here.
“It might never happen, but it would be a shame if it didn’t happen because of something like that.
“The place needs something. The majority of people I speak to have got nothing really against it.
“I think the range should be secure anyway no matter what is next to it. The have got security there, their flags go up and guards when they are shooting. I am not far away and I don’t hear shooting.”
Last night Steven McGarva, director of Ashfield Land, said the plans would create “substantial benefits for people living in Aberdeenshire and beyond”.
He added: “Our detailed reports on noise assessment and flood risk indicate there are not any significant issues with regards to the rifle range. Indeed, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has concluded, subject to conditions, there is no flood risk.
“There is also currently free access to the site at Blackdog Ranges and, provided members of the public adhere to the Scottish outdoor access code currently in operation at the site, we do not envisage trespassing would be an issue during or after the construction phase.”
