Clay shooting gold medallist calls for support

Clay shooting gold medallist calls for support.
Northall Clay Pigeon Club, the East Sussex shooting ground used by triple Commonwealth Games gold medallist Charlotte Kerwood, says it is prepared ?to go all the way? in its application to build a new Olympic layout, reports Will Finch.

The ground, located at Northall Farm, in Fletching, is run by Charlotte?s parents Dan and Jan.

They say that the proposed skeet and trap shooting facility is vital to help home-grown shooting stars in the run-up to the 2012 Games.

Charlotte, who last week used Facebook to appeal for support for the project, told Shooting Times: ?It?s especially important for me because I will be able to train here rather than having to travel to Dorset or Bisley. I?m optimistic we?ll be successful because my parents have put so much time and effort into it. There are a few antis in the area who don?t really like the shooting ground, but we?ve got a lot of support from other shooters and local people.?

One respondent to the local council?s consultation on the proposals wrote: ?The new trap will give Charlotte a fantastic opportunity to practice? overall, I feel we are lucky to have an Olympic hopeful in the village and should support her fully? this would be great for the village if Charlotte was successful in 2012.?

In response to concerns that noise from the new layout would disturb local residents, Dan Kerwood said the local council was happy with the ground?s proposals to limit noise pollution.

He said: ?Keeping noise to a minimum formed a massive part of our application. A 22m-high bank has been designed, like the one used at Lonato, in Italy, and we know it works well.?

?If the plan is turned down at the planning committee, we will go to appeal. The noise testing alone costs £35,000, so I?m not going to be giving up on this one. If we don?t have it for 2012, it?ll be for 2016.?

A spokesman for Wealden District Council said that the council is aiming to make a decision on whether to grant planning permission by 22 March.