The planning authority has launched a draft policy on shooting ranges for public consultation.
This policy document comes as a result of the significant increase in the popularity of both clay pigeon and target shooting, and the demand for shooting range facilities with internationally recognised standards.
Mepa said the policy was aimed at establishing clear planning parameters through which applications can be assessed.
The proposed framework establishes two policies – one for outdoor and another for indoor shooting ranges.
The set of criteria against which proposals should be assessed are grouped in two categories. One of these includes the locational requirements and constraints, such as environmental characteristics of the site, and the second covers the general design requirements such as layout, access, and landscaping.
The policy also highlights particular locations which would be given preference for outdoor shooting ranges. According to objectives put up for consultation last year, quarries could be considered for shooting ranges.
The policy document launched yesterday reiterates that sitesconsidered for shooting ranges will include existing military installations, disused quarries or sites in their near proximity not identified for other purposes in approved development plans, and derelict land excluding land subject to recent degradation. Such sites cannot be on the side of a valley or a watercourse, on or near a ridge or where the development would break an undisturbed skyline or significantly intrude a panoramic view.
When it comes to indoor target shooting ranges, the policy document favours primary or secondary town centres, the construction of a range as part of existing or designated sports centres or as part of a national range complex.
In such cases, the applicant needs to submit an assessment of the noise impact, including provisions to ensure that the proposed development adopted identified mitigation measures.
The document and the public submissions received by the authority during theinitial two-week public consultation can be downloadedfrom www.mepa.org.mt/pub-lic-consultation.
Submissions on this new proposed policy document can be made to the Director of Planning, Mepa, Shooting Ranges Policy, St Francis Ravelin, Floriana or on shootingranges.policy@ mepa.org.mt.
The closing date is January 22.