The Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich will host the shooting events during the Olympics and archery in Paralympics while the O2, which will be known as the North Greenwich Arena during the Games because of marketing regulations, will host artistic gymnastics, trampoline and the basketball finals during the Olympics, followed by wheelchair basketball during the Paralympics.

Greenwich Council unanimously approved the ODA’s planning application for the erection of temporary shooting ranges and seating stands at the Royal Artillery Barracks and the northern part of Woolwich Common during the Games.

The temporary facilities include the provision of four temporary indoor ranges and three temporary open air ranges for the qualifying rounds and finals of Olympic events.

Shooting organisiations in Britain had launched an unsuccessful campaign for the sport to be held at Bisley or a new range built at Dartford or Barking for the Games because they claimed that hosting them at Woolwich will leave them with no permanent legacy.

During the Paralympic Games the outdoor ranges will be removed and replaced with temporary archery ranges for the Paralympic archery qualification and finals events.

Archery is due to be held at Lord's Cricket Ground during the Olympics.

Work to install the temporary facilities will begin early next year.

The temporary facilities will then be removed after the Games with the site being returned to its former use and condition.

Greenwich Council also unanimously granted planning permission to London 2012 for a range of temporary works to transform the O2 Arena - formerly the Millennium Dome - into an Olympic and Paralympic venue.

Work will begin in May 2012 and will include items such as tents, cabins, signage, services and equipment in and around the venue.

The temporary facilities will seat up to 18,000 spectators.

During the Games period, local residents and other visitors will continue to have free access to the Entertainment Avenue of bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

After the Games, the North Greenwich Arena will revert to being a multi-faceted music, sports and entertainment venue.

ODA chief executive David Higgins said: "The Royal Artillery Barracks will be a fitting venue for the shooting events at the London 2012 Games and our temporary works will help us deliver the best possible facilities for athletes.

"Securing planning permission is an important step forwards and keeps us on track to start installing the temporary measures on site early next year."

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: "This is very good news and a vital step forward in our preparations for the Games.

"These venues are an important part of the cluster of sports being staged in Greenwich. North Greenwich Arena is without doubt an outstanding venue and will be a spectacular sporting stage in 2012."


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