A application for a permit allowing a private road to be built in Iklin has caused sparks to fly between the applicant and the St Michael's Fireworks Factory.

Fireworks aficionados are maintaining that the road would encroach the legally established buffer-zone around the factory, but Carmelo Gafa, who owns a villa in Iklin, said he has been in possession of a permit to build the road since 2003.

As works were about to start last Friday, Dr Gafa was stopped by members of the fireworks factory, who even threatened him, he told The Sunday Times.

Dr Gafa said the fireworks factory members told him to obtain a declaration from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority confirming that the new road would not affect them.

The Explosives Ordinance, which regulates fireworks factories, states that there must be a 183-metre safety buffer between such factories and any inhabited place or street that is "used regularly".

Fireworks factory spokesman Joseph Mangion expressed concern that the private road could spell the end of the 83-year-old factory, by infringing the buffer area.

"We want to make sure that nothing will jeopardise our position or affect the letting off of fireworks," he said.

He confirmed that fireworks factory members had stopped Dr Gafa from starting work on the road, even though he was in possession of a development permit.

Lija council is standing firmly behind the fireworks factory, with mayor Ian Castaldi Paris saying the council wanted to make sure that the society could continue operating in a tranquil manner.

Mr Mangion is also questioning why the fireworks factory is not listed as such on the Mepa maps, asking whether this could have led to the permit being issued.