Controversy could be on the cards as a Canterbury community and the Defence Force have their say on how ongoing rifle range noise should be treated.

The Selwyn District Council is proposing mandatory noise insulation for any new developments near the West Melton Rifle Range, after the community pushed back on a joint Defence Force "no complaints covenant" proposal.

Council Environmental and Regulatory Services manager Tim Harris says all 80 community members consulted opposed the initial proposal.

"We've actually changed our recommendation now and are going forward with a proposal that involves insulation to meet certain acoustic levels for new dwellings."

The noise proofing is their new focus, and he says they're open to District Plan feedback towards the beginning of next year.

"The Defence Force and indeed the residents can launch submissions at that stage. So it's not over for the Defence Force, they've still got another opportunity to have their say, but the council reached a view that we'll just go with the acoustic insulation."

However, the idea is not popular in all quarters.

Local resident Marianne says sound proofing is all very well for future builds, but it's expensive and existing houses aren't sound proofed.

"Also we live on lifestyle blocks so we spend a lot of our lives outside. It's all very well being wrapped up inside and not being able to hear it if you're in a future build, but what about our activities that we want to enjoy outside?" 

She's concerned the Defence Force will want to increase activities without complaints if the insulation idea is approved.

"But it's too late because we're all living here now. We put up with it now, but I think  if there was an increase in noise and the bombings and vibrations, it would not be a very nice place to live at all."