The current location of Mendip Farmers’ Hunt is 1.25 miles from the proposed site at Underbarrow Farm, at the  east end of Priddy village (see map), and separated by North Hill.

The noise of the kennels is clearly audible to residents now. This will significantly increase if planning permission is granted for the kennels to be relocated to Underbarrow Farm and there is no longer a big hill to dampen the noise.

Additionally, being situated right next to many family homes, popular caving accommodation and a well-used public footpath, it is expected that the hounds will be disturbed more often and therefore create more noise.

Mendip Farmers' Hunt claim that they will be constructing 'model' soundproof kennels. However for the majority of the time the hounds are not actually in the kennels.

Hounds are notoriously noisy at feeding time and cannot be fed in an enclosed space for fear of fighting. Noise is expected to be a particular problem as the hounds often wake-up and are fed as early as 5am!

Additionally in the 'hunting' season (October/November to March) the hunt goes out 2-3 times a week. The hounds are not fed the night before to keep them keen and are particularly vociferous the next morning. Usually only part of the pack goes out 'hunting', leaving the remainder to call for their pack in their absence. This can equate to many hours of howling, singing and bellyaching.

So how close do you think is acceptable?

The Bristol Exploration Club's headquarters "The Belfry" is the building here on the left and the existing Underbarrow Farm stable block is on the right.

The stables have not been used for over 15 years and are in a state of disrepair. The window on the upper storey of the Belfry is a bunkroom which overlooks the whole stable complex. No bund is going to protect people sleeping here.