ARCHERS are furious that revised plans for playing fields in Devizes will leave them without enough space to shoot safely.

Devizes Bowmen have objected to the town council about the scheme at Green Lane which it says been changed without consultation.

Among its members affected is Bob Soutar who was left paralysed after a sky diving accident and took up archery after moving to Devizes five years ago.

The former member of Team GBs judo squad said in a letter to the town council: "I broke my neck at the beginning of 2003 and for the last 15 years have been confined to a wheelchair as a tetraplegic.

"During this time I have rarely been given the chance to participate in any sports due to my condition and resigned myself to having to just spectate.

"I was invited by Devizes Bowmen to try my hand at archery. To my surprise I have finally found a sport that I can actively participate in albeit with a certain amount of support from the club members which they are happy to provide.

"It would appear to me that the new plans for the Green Lane field would include moving the archery range to a position that would make it difficult or even impossible for me to use. To continue my participation in the sport would require me to travel to Chippenham instead of my local club just half a mile away from where I live."

The town council wants to build a pavilion with office accommodation above for Wiltshire FA and an artificial football pitch.

Bowmen chairman Neil Lockhart said: "The latest planning application by the town council has left our club dismayed and disappointed in the failure of the town council to engage and consult with the club as established users of the site.

"The revised development now severely encroaches on the space required for the club to shoot safely and comply with all the requirements of Archery GB and our public liability insurance. If approved this means the club, which has been in the town for over 50 years, will be forced to relocate or simply close."

Town council clerk Simon Fisher said that the original plan had allowed plenty of space for the Bowmen but the bat report had meant the layout had to be changed. He said: "The archery club is still part of the scheme and we believe there is enough space to meet official requirements.

"But this project has always primarily been about football and has been years in the pipeline. We have had to adapt the plan so that we can keep the dream of the artificial pitch alive. It will be used by all of the community."

The plan will be discussed at a town council meeting tonight (Tuesday) at 7pm in the town hall.