PLANNING officers have approved an application to allow a Keighley shooting club to build a £150,000 extension so it can fully cater for the needs of disabled members.

They gave the go-ahead to Keighley Rifle & Pistol Club's plan to build a new All Abilities Shooting Centre, next to its existing range in Parkwood Quarry.

If the club can secure the funds to proceed with the development, it will be offering wheelchair-accessible provision and also acoustic shooting to enable blind people to enjoy the pursuit.

In a written report on the application, a Bradford Council planner noted: "These extensions would increase the quality of facilities provided by a long-established shooting club.

"They would be low-rise and unobtrusive additions that would not have any appreciable impact on the urban green space, and would bring various community and sports development benefits.

"The design is functional but appropriate given the character of the existing buildings."

Acoustic shooting involves a device mounted on the blind person's rifle, which detects light on the target. The light is converted into sound, which is conveyed into earphones worn by the shooter. They then gauge how close they are to aiming at the centre of the target based on the pitch of this sound.

Club secretary, Michael Daniels, said he is pleased to see the plans passed.

"It's cost us about £4,500 just to get the plans in, which is a huge amount for a small club like us," he added.

"For the actual building work, we're going to apply to Sport England and also to other grant giving bodies. Maybe 30 or 40 years ago you could get all the money from one source, but not now that money is so tight."

As reported in last week's Keighley News, the club was recently affected by a large amount of soil collapsing onto its outdoor firing range following torrential downpours. But members have been working hard to make the facility useable again, and it is hoped half of the outdoor range will be open in time for the summer.

The new facility should feature a one-storey property comprising 14 shooting lanes, a function room, kitchen and toilets suitable for people with disabilities. The current range will be retained.

People prepared to contribute to fundraising for the new centre can e-mail rimfirerange@gmail.com to offer support.

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