The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A shooting ground run by an England and Team GB member faces an uncertain future due to noise complaints.
The Priory Clay Target Centre at Sutton Bridge is owned by Long Sutton marksman Aaron Heading, who won the bronze medal at last month’s World Cup in Mexico.
But his hopes of continuing to establish a popular shooting ground where adults and youngsters get expert tuition in a safe environment, which is a member of the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association, have taken a knock.
Mr Heading claims that those living closest to the Chalk Lane premises are supportive of it. The site has been used for shooting since World War Two but a complaint was raised about 12 months ago.
The 29-year-old says South Holland District Council visited and checked the noise level before issuing an abatement notice.
Mr Heading, who runs the place with his partner Natasha Jones and ground manager Shane Tilbrook, said: “What we have done to help the situation is invested all our money into constructing banks to deflect the sound.”
Council officers are due to return later this month to see if noise nuisance is now within acceptable limits.
The centre opens four days a week 10am to 4pm but the hope is that, if the noise issue can be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties, the business will go from strength to strength and be able to open more often in future.
Up to 25 children aged between 12 and 16 get tuition and the club has 100 adult members.
A council spokesperson said: “We have an ongoing issue which we are working with the business on. We are working to develop a long-term strategy for the viability of the club and local residents.”
