Controversial plans for a clay pigeon shooting range at Crieff Hydro have been recommended for approval.
Councillors will meet on Thursday to consider the plans submitted by Denholm Partnership Architects on behalf of the Perthshire hotel.
Despite 73 objections the plans look set for approval.
Perth and Kinross Council's Planning and Placemaking Committee will meet on Thursday, September 22 to consider the application. The meeting had originally been due to take place last Wednesday but was rescheduled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The plans - partly in retrospect - are to develop part of a site 1.3km north of the main hotel building into a clay pigeon shooting range. The range has already been created with a bund formed on three sides north of the site and a rough track to the south. A shooting hut has been erected on the east.
A previous similar application was withdrawn following requests from PKC's Environmental Health team for more information. The new application - going before councillors - includes an updated noise report and "enhanced" noise mitigation measures.
The shooting range would operate around 200 days a year from 10am – 5pm Monday to Saturday and 11am – 5pm on a Sunday.
Scores of objections were submitted to Perth and Kinross Council. The 73 objections included concerns about: noise pollution; inappropriate use of the land; the impact on birds and protected species, and a lack of consultation with neighbours.
Council officers have placed several conditions for the plans being approved. These include: the bund being increased in height by 1.5 metres and absorptive acoustic tiles fitted to the internal side walls and internal roof of the shooting hut.
As the development of the range has already been done officers deemed physical site works would not impact habitat. However the officers' report - going before the committee - acknowledges the sound could have an impact but considered it would be "negligible".
The report states: "...the wider area is characterised by leisure uses which generate noise and this activity is carried out within rural areas across Perth and Kinross without the requirement for planning permission, all such that the impacts are likely to be negligible."
The agent has confirmed to PKC cartridges will contain steel shot rather than lead removing the risk of lead contamination.
The applicant's supporting statement said the facility would bring "an economic benefit to the area" and three jobs.
The plans have been recommended by council officers for approval subject to planning conditions being met.
