FEARS that 'gun' wielding "wannabe Rambo's" will ruin the calm in Balsall Common were not enough to get an application for a new combat sport site thrown out this week.
On Wednesday night, Solihull Council's planning sub-committee decided to grant approval to change the use of a ground floor study and office space at Frogmore Grange, Frog Lane, to a meeting room and assembly room and also to demolish outbuildings, construct a workshop, garage and shelters and use the land for Airsoft.
Airsoft is combat sport or recreational hobby in which participants eliminate opponents by hitting each other with airsoft pellets launched from airsoft guns.
Councillor David Bell (Con, Meriden), said: "I don't really like the implications of this, I wonder how the local police would feel. We want more entertainment and recreation especially for the young, but this isn't what residents envisaged when they ticked the box for more recreational activities in the local plan.
"Encouraging the use of replica AK47's by wannabe Rambo's letting off steam and using off-road vehicles, doesn't seem to be in the spirit of protecting the green belt. The hundreds of residents that live within earshot would be grateful if we could protect their interests and enjoyment in this area."
However applicant Mr Sefton, said it was more likely to be "unfit IT workers" that would be using the site and it would not generate increased traffic or noise.
Consent was also given for a listed building application at Frogmore Grange - which is a listed building - for change of use of the study and office to a meeting room and assembly room for Airsoft use.
