An appeal has been lodged against the refusal of planning consent for a clay pigeon shooting centre in the heart of the Cairngorms.
Craggan Outdoors wanted permission for the development beside the River Spey at Lower Gaich woods, between Grantown and Dulnain Bridge.
But in August, Cairngorm National Park Authority (CNPA) planning committee deemed that the retrospective application did not comply with requirements.
Craggan Outdoors was acquired by its current owners in 2008 and clay pigeon shooting has been taking place on the land since 2005.
Highland Council investigated after receiving complaints about their operations last year and determined that planning consent was needed.
Now the applicants have lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government to reverse the park authority’s decision.
Keith Ballam, owner and managing director of Craggan Outdoors, declined to comment on the appeal.
The CNPA refused the development because of fears its proximity to a core path by the River Spey would pose a danger to the public, and because the noise of gunfire would impact on nearby properties and wild animals.
Scottish Environment Protection Agency claimed that the lead-based shot could poison the nearby water environment and affect wildlife.
A spokeswoman for the local conservation group Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group said: “The CNPA’s refusal decision on the application was sound and widely welcomed.
“Clay pigeon shooting is intrusive, impacts on people’s enjoyment of the countryside, causes disturbance to wildlife and can lead to toxic lead pollution through use of lead-based shot, which is known to be a hazard to protected species such as whooper swans.
“We hope that the appeal will be rejected.”