Aristocrat appears in court after neighbour complains shooting events on his estate are 'too noisy'

An aristocratic estate owner has been hauled into court after his wealthy neighbour complained that live shooting events on his grounds were 'too noisy'.

William Tyrwhitt-Drake, who has family links to Sir Francis Drake, is said to have disturbed the 'tranquil' South Downs for six months with his game and clay shoots.

The 76-year-old nobleman is fighting a noise abatement order brought about by his neighbour, University of Cambridge educated pharmaceutical executive Dr Charles Gillies O'Bryan-Tear.

Dr O'Bryan-Tear, 63, has claimed guns on Tyrwhitt-Drake's shoots create so much noise they are a "nuisance" and an expert told a court "the level of intrusion is substantial".

Tyrwhitt-Drake owns the stunning 2,500-acre Bereleigh Estate, nestled in the heart of Hampshire's countryside in the picturesque South Downs National Park.

He has links to the highest echelons of British society - with English sea captain Sir Francis Drake being godfather to his ancestor.

Tyrwhitt-Drake, with relatives Thomas and Edward, host a variety of shooting events at Bereleigh Estate considered among the finest in the country.

Groups, parties and businesses often flock from London to the prestigious rural retreat in East Meon, near Petersfield, Hants, so they can enjoy country pursuits.

It is regularly described in articles as being one of 'the 20 best pheasant shoots in the UK' while the estate boasts it offers 'unrivalled' game and clay pigeon shooting.

Sitting on the edge of Tyrwhitt-Drake's land is Dr O'Bryan-Tear's large £2 million seven-bedroom home, where he says he is disturbed by the gun shots.

Dr O'Bryan-Tear has over 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry and now acts as an leading expert adviser to huge firms across the world specialising in the field.

He holds the title of M.D and is a Fellow of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, a medical organisation with professionals from the three Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom.

Around a decade ago he became Chief Medical Officer of a Norwegian biotech company - later bought for $2.9 billion - where he worked on the development of a radiopharmaceutical for prostate cancer.

Dr O'Bryan-Tear has filed for a noise abatement order to prevent Tyrwhitt-Drake creating noise levels which are a 'nuisance'.

Portsmouth Magistrates' Court, Hants, has heard the complaints relate to noises between July 2016 and January 2017.

Noise acoustic expert Peter Rogers told the court there was a disturbance to the 'tranquil environment' after undertaking 15 visits to the site when game and clay shooting was taking place.

Mr Rogers said: "It is important to consider whether the impact is intolerable and causes considerable disruption to what people endure.

"People don't know when the shooting will start or stop and when they will have to stop what they are doing and go inside.

"The level of intrusion is substantial and this is my view following my 25 years experience carrying out sound measurements."

He added: "To give an example, planning permission would not normally be granted at the level of noise from the gun shooting. I conclude there is a nuisance in my opinion."

However, Tyrwhitt-Drake's own sound expert, John Grant, told the court the noise was within reasonable noise levels.

Tyrwhitt-Drake, who started shooting around the age of 12, previously told a magazine 'game shooting has never been more popular'.

He said a 'growing number' of groups and businesses 'want to spend money' on a day's shooting.

The stately Georgian house on the Bereleigh Estate has been home to the Tyrwhitt-Drake family for over half a century.

The trial continues.