One complaint may delay Olympic-size rifle range proposal

Long-running firing area plan to be discussed

A six-year effort to build an Olympic-size firing area could be halted again following a complaint.

The top team at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) is due to discuss the future of a rifle range as a resident claims the land should be open for the public to enjoy.

Ashford and District Rifle Range shared its plans to build a 50m outdoor small bore target range off Chart Road back in 2013.

This was six months after the cabinet outlined its intentions to lease the land to the rifle club for 50 years.

The spot in question is a small piece of land at the rear of the club and is currently overgrown scrubland.

However, councillors on the planning committee deferred the original proposal through fears “accidents will happen” and concerns over noise for neighbours and pets two years later.

The firing range, with a covered firing point and backstop, finally received approval from the planning team in February 2016.

As the land is owned by ABC, there must be a public consultation before it is “disposed”.

A concerned resident wrote to the council claiming handing this land over to the rifle club would be breaking the law, which council officers dispute.

In a report by facilities development manager, Ben Moyle, he wrote: “It is recognised that this area of land is subject to the Open Spaces Act 1906 and the Order referred to in the case does not apply.

“The Ashford and District Rifle Club is a registered charity and has an open access policy providing and encouraging new members.

“The use of the land as an extension to the rifle club continues to meet the definition of open space as used for recreation purposes as defined in the Act.”

Despite the resident’s objections, council officers recommend the plans proceed “based on the community benefit of enhancing the club’s facilities to Olympic standard, the fact that the small area of land is overgrown scrubland and that there is only one objection to the scheme.”

Cabinet members will decide if they will follow the officer’s lead in the council chamber tonight (Thursday).

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Picture: Matt Bristow The piece of land is at the rear of the Ashford and District Rifle Club

The plan was first revealed in 2013