Rows over new sports facilities

Many sports facilities have been suggested as 2012 training venues

Rows have broken out over efforts to build sports facilities which could be used in the lead up to the 2012 games.

Proposals to build an athletics track at Sutton Valence School, Chart Sutton, near Maidstone in Kent, are being opposed by the parish council.

Plans to build a shooting centre in Edenbridge have also been attacked by residents because of noise concerns.

South East England Development Agency (Seeda) urged the region to embrace the opportunities the Olympics will bring.

Thirty five sports facilities in the South East, with eight in Kent and one in Sussex. have already been suggested as training venues for the 2012 Paralympics.

Paddy Herlihy, of Seeda, said the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics were a unique opportunity for the region because of its proximity to London.

He added: "We are anticipating bringing a billion pounds of business on tourism alone just on the profile that London will have.

'Excessive noise'

"There's a huge range of opportunities, obviously things like training camps for foreign teams to come here, but opportunities for our businesses to get direct contracts with the games."

Larry Mulheirn, of Sutton Valence Parish Council, said the authority was not opposed to an athletics track for the school's purposes, but was concerned the facility could turn into a "white elephant".

But Joe Davies, head teacher of Sutton Valence School, said the track plans were a "wonderful opportunity".

Sevenoaks District Council is currently considering proposals for an Olympic Skeet shooting training facility at Gabriel's Farm on Marsh Green Road in Edenbridge.

Residents fear the plans, on the borders of Surrey and Sussex, will result in excessive noise on a daily basis.

But organisers said it would help get British shooting to the very top of its game.

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