The Cambridgeshire Target Shooting Association applied for charity status at the beginning of 2014 as the only means of avoiding a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) of £85,000 imposed by Huntingdonshire DC on the 50m indoor rifle range we are attempting to build in Cambridgeshire. We have planning permission and funding of £222, 000 towards the project but funding the CIL is currently beyond us.
Our application to the charity commission was overseen by charity law experts from Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP and from the onset the view was that our charitable objectives had to focus on “promotion of health and public benefit” and not defence of the realm. After a year of waiting the CC published their decision at the beginning of February:
Cambridge Target Shooting Association - Decision.pdf
In turn this created some web content such as Civil Society News where the CTSA and the CC made comment.
Shooting Association left Segregated and Saddened by Charity Commission Ruling
The CTSA is now looking into an appeal but will be faced with significant legal costs. A preliminary review at the CC decision by a QC has shown reasonable grounds to challenge the decision and the CTSA is now reviewing the potential costs involved. Winning the appeal may be too late for the new range as the funding offers we have could be withdrawn in the next few months but a successful challenge will open the door for target shooting being finally recognised by the CC as a true sport for all. To this end the NSRA has already offered some support toward to costs.
The CTSA would be grateful for any financial support in the appeal, please contact Sandra Haskett
For those who can gift aid donations please use our Local Giving page: http://localgiving.com/charity/ctsa