Public consultation for Portishead police firearms centre
A public consultation is to take place over plans for a tri-police force firearms training centre in Portishead.
The facility planned for Black Rock Quarry, would be used by Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Gloucestershire Constabulary and Wiltshire Police.
The site would include two indoor firing ranges and classrooms for the 330 firearm officers across the forces.
The public consultation takes place on 18 and 22 October at The Folk Hall in Portishead.
The plans will also be available online from 18 October.
Sergeant Dino Maddern from Avon and Somerset Police said: "It's going to be used for most of our shooting.
"All of our shooting will be indoors on the range, that's live fire plus judgmental shooting and a great deal of our tactical scenarios."
He said the facility would be within an area of the quarry where it would least disrupt the existing habitat and views
"We will control the whole site, it will be secure, the far end of the site will be a nature reserve and a better location for all the environmental issues. Those will be protected."
He said the facility would enable "officers to acquire and maintain the necessary level of skills in a safe, secure and enclosed environment".
It is hoped the building, which has funding confirmation from the Home Office, will have its plans approved and be ready to open in 2014.
The consultation takes place on 18 October between 17:00 and 20:00 BST, and on 22 October between 12:00 and 16:00 BST.