Public rights to army range cut

The army wants to train more recruits at Warcop

Commoners' rights on an army training area in Cumbria have ended.

The MoD wants to expand the amount of training carried out at the Warcop Army Training Area, near Appleby.

The Secretary of State for Defence, Geoffrey Hoon, has supported the army's view.

The Ministry of Defence has firing licence agreements which restrict access to the commons in return for annual payments which allow the army to use the land.

Farmers who have grazed sheep on the land have already agreed a deal over compensation, but there are still issues for local people.

Our point has never been to stop the army firing... we have every sympathy with the Army and what they are trying to do

Brian Muncaster

Brian Muncaster, who is leading residents' protests, said local people were concerned about noise levels.

Despite restrictions being placed on firing at night, he wants the MoD to agree to build natural sound barriers at a cost of £170,000.

"Noise levels are our greatest concern.

"Firing will take place on ranges about 500 yards from properties at night, which has never taken place before.

"The noise will exceed World Health Organisation levels.

"Our point has never been to stop the army firing... we have every sympathy with the army and what they are trying to do.

Brian Muncaster wants the army to build sound barriers

"All we want is for the army to show their neighbours some consideration.

"A simple £170,000 earth bank would solve all our problems."

Mr Muncaster told BBC Radio Cumbria he was also concerned that public access to the land - which is designated an area of outstanding beauty - had been cut from about 100 days a year to 50 days.

But Lieutenant Colonel James Carter said the army was looking to improve the quality of public access to the range.

"We are looking to improve the bridleways, [and] bridges over the becks, so people can have better access.

"What we intend to do is to put five hefted flocks there and lease them to local farmers so that the land can be properly managed from a nature point of view and there will be five viable farming plots.

"In the future we'll be at the cutting edge of upland farming and the management of the Cumbrian fells."