A final decision has still to be taken on the plan for a shooting range near Mt St Joseph retreat house, according to Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Michael Falzon.

“Though the preferred offer has been identified we are still negotiating the final contract,” Dr Falzon said.

The project was unveiled last month, following a request for proposals issued in October 2013 on the best use of the derelict military huts at Tal-Busbesija. Of the seven proposals submitted the government selected that of a shooting range submitted by a consortium called U-Group Malta.

However, the Jesuit community running at  Mount St Joseph some 400 metres away has claimed it would undermine the tranquility of the place for the thousands of visitors.

Last week Dr Falzon met Jesuit provincial Fr Patrick Magro to learn about the concerns. 

Afterwards, Dr Falzon said that the government was willing to listen to everybody’s views. He acknowledged that the objections raised were not “trivial”.  

Fr Magro described the meeting as cordial but said no tangible outcome had emerged.  

“Dr Falzon sympathised with our concerns and promised that the development would be contained within the footprint of the site and that the acoustic impact on the retreat house would be studied,” Fr Magro said.