Bisley faces being shot down as 2012 Olympics venue

National shooting federations have always been keen to hold 2012's shooting events at the National Shooting Centre in Bisley and it was the choice when the Olympic bid was made.

However, the International Olympic Committee, favouring a more compact Games, opted instead for the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich which shooting groups argue will not leave a legacy in the form of an international standard shooting range.

Last summer Woolwich was included in a government-commissioned cost analysis of temporary venues and the estimated costs there almost doubled to £42 million because of security and difficulties in accommodating the space needed, which is large for an Olympic event.

The Olympic board agreed to look again at Bisley and at the end of last year inspectors from the Olympic Delivery Authority, who are responsible for building the venues, visited the site near Woking.

They were told by the Bisley-based National Rifle Association that the event could be staged there at a maximum cost of £30 million.

But Games chiefs are now expected to rule out relocating the events to Bisley, insisting that Woolwich is cheaper in the long run because creating a satellite venue 50 miles from London would add to the bill for athletes' accommodation and transport.

The final decision rests with the Olympic board, which consists of Sebastian Coe, head of 2012 organising committee Locog; Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell; Mayor Boris Johnson; and Colin Moynihan, chairman of the British Olympic Association.

It will meet a week before the IOC's deadline of the end of this month for confirming the choice of 2012 venues.

An Olympic source said: "The decision will come down to cost and it would be more expensive to move it to Bisley than keep it at Woolwich. There has been a rigorous process of looking at the alternatives."

The ODA has also identified a brownfield site in Barking with potential to host a purpose-built shooting venue.

After last summer's cost analysis, by accountancy firm KPMG, the Olympics board decided there were no savings to be made by moving equestrian events from Greenwich Park or basketball heats from a temporary arena in the Olympic Park.

However, Locog is in talks with Wembley Arena's owners about moving badminton and rhythmic gymnastics there from a planned temporary venue next to the O2.