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Plans for a new "combat sport facility" where players would hit each other with plastic balls have been given the go-ahead.

An old warehouse on Blackstone Road in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, will be converted into a space for 'airsoft.'

R.I.F.T. Airsoft Ltd, the company behind the plans, said the activity was a growing sport which began in Japan and was similar to paintball or laser quest.

Huntingdonshire District Council approved the development and said it would help support the local economy.

R.I.F.T. Airsoft Ltd said 'airsoft' "involves participants eliminating their opponents by hitting them with spherical low powered projectiles."

It added: "The ammunition fired from airsoft guns are 6mm plastic balls that do not break on impact with a human target; the only mess left behind are the bb’s themselves and are easily swept up."

It said the game was “fun, exciting and promotes teamwork.”

The plans for the warehouse conversion, submitted to the district council, stated that no changes were proposed to the outside of the building, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

The company also said it proposed to keep the existing 25 car park spaces for staff and customers to use.

In the planning statement it said: “The proposed development will provide a useful addition to the leisure offer in Huntingdon, in a location that is accessible to customers, including young people.

“The application therefore represents sustainable development that supports economic growth and activity.”

The district council said the new facility would support the local economy and recognised that the building could still be converted back to a warehouse at a later date.

The authority did add a condition, limiting the facility’s opening times to between 8am and 10pm, and requiring all windows and doors from the game zone and test range to remain closed, apart from when people needed to go in and out.

Taking into account these conditions, the district council agreed to grant permission for the warehouse conversion.