Mosta residents this evening appealed to their council to oppose the proposed shooting range at tal-Busbesija.
The range, proposed by private consortium U-Group, is in the vicinity of the Jesuits’ retreat house Mount St Joseph. The Jesuits claim the range will “undermine” the tranquility of thousands of visitors who visit the house.
The proposed development would span over some 300 metres.
Mosta residents, particularly those hailing from the Zokrija area, voiced their fears during a public meeting organised by the council this evening. The council has so far not taken a stand on the development but the meeting, one of two being organised, was intended to help it form an opinion.
"We will never agree to this project. It will devalue our properties and will create a big nuisance to the enjoyment of our residencies. Leave us in peace," a visibly frustrated resident said.
"If they want they can go and develop a shooting range outside their homes," said another, pointing to one of the shooters present for the meeting.
In a detailed presentation, Mount St Joseph director Stephen Xerri said that the proposed range would be equal to 14 football grounds in a pristine rural setting.
The range would raise safety concerns as the rifles usually used in these type of facilities had a range of more than a kilometre while the noise levels produced through continuous shooting would be unbearable.
Mr Xerri said that although it was positive that the shooting range could attract events such as the Shooting World Cup, one could not imagine some 3,000 shooters at the range, as the developers were proposing.
Some of the people present questioned whether the planning process to be followed would be genuine as the development was a promise of convenience made before the election.
"How come the developers are already saying that the World Cup is going to be held at their range when a planning application has not yet been submitted,” a resident asked.
Some shooters present for the meeting tried to counter the heavy criticism stating that the state of the art range would have, among other features, sound and safety barriers.
But the residents insisted the plan should be abandoned.
The developers will be making a presentation of the project in the second meeting to be organised by the council.