THE future of a proposed clay pigeon shooting school on Exmoor is still in the balance this week after planners opted to visit the site before making a decision.

The development on land identified as a County Wildlife site at Castle Hill Farm, Withiel Florey would lie between a bridleway and a footpath.

The bid, which was considered by Exmoor National Park's planning committee on Tuesday, follows the failure of a similar scheme to win approval in July.

The venture, aimed at making the 205-acre farm more viable, would create a 'bespoke' school in an area recognised as having some of the finest game shooting in the country.

It would also provide expert tuition for a sport that in Britain has produced world and Olympic champions.

But planning committee members agreed to defer the application so they could investigate the potential noise impact on neighbouring properties and the safety concerns for footpath and bridleway users.

They also want to check out highway safety on access roads and the overall impact of the development on the landscape.

A national park spokeswoman said information would also be sought to clarify the number of days and hours a week on which shooting would take place and the number of vehicles likely to be going to and from the site.

The site is just a quarter of a mile from Withel Florey church.

However, assessments have concluded the firing of shots would be unlikely to have any significant im-pact on birds in the area or people living nearby.

The scheme is largely supported by the Exmoor Society -- despite its concerns about safety --Brompton Regis Parish Council, the West Somerset Bridleway Association and around five local residents.

But it is opposed by the Ramblers' Association, highways chiefs and at least four local people.