DEVON and Cornwall Police appear to have abandoned attempts to continue to have the right to use their controversial Holcombe Rogus firing range.

The force were told they could no longer train with live weapons at the Pondground Quarry, near Wellington, after it emerged they had no permission to do so.

The deadline for an appeal to be submitted, which allowed six months to present a fresh case to planning authorities, was missed.

A spokesperson for the force said they are looking at other options. In a brief statement they said: “No further applications were made in relation to Holcombe Rogus. Alternative options will be considered in due course.”

The site was the cause of more than 100 objections lodged by local residents with Mid Devon District Council, with nearby villagers complaining of the noise of the guns.

The firing range had been used since 1978, with the police renewing a temporary planning permit on a periodical basis. However the permission was left to expire in 2014, with police apparently forgetting to apply for fresh permission.

Live firing at the range continued without permission until in 2021 the mistake was discovered and fresh permits were sought - and then refused.

Although Devon and Cornwall have an indoor firing range in Exeter, it is understood the location is not sufficient to facilitate the 150 armed officers who need to be trained every six months.

Planners refused the application because of the impact of noise on the local community, and on the impact on the countryside and nearby designated listed heritage assets.