The great majority of Mosta residents attending a public hearing on the planned shooting range at Tarġa Gap yesterday expressed themselves against the project.
Many appealed to the local council to oppose the proposal. So far, the council has not taken a stand on the matter.
The shooting range, being proposed by a private consortium called U-Group, will cover an area of about 300 square metres. In 2013, the Land Department issued an expression of interest for the use of the derelict military installation at Tal-Busbesija. The government selected the U-Group proposal to develop a professional shooting range there.
The Jesuit community, which owns Mount St Joseph Retreat House situated very close to the proposed development, is strongly objecting to the siting of the shooting range and has mounted a public campaign against it, saying the project would disrupt the peace and tranquillity in the area.
Mosta residents, particularly those from the nearby Żokrija area, yesterday joined the Jesuits to oppose the planned development.
“We will never agree with such a project. It will devalue our properties and is a big nuisance to the enjoyment of our residencies. Leave us in peace,”a visibly frustrated resident said.
We will never agree with such a project. Leave us in peace
“They can build a shooting range outside their own homes,” another shouted at one of the shooters present at the meeting, one of two being organised by the local council and which, according to mayor Edwin Vassallo, will help it form an opinion.
In a detailed presentation, Stephen Xerri, director of Mount St Joseph, said the proposed range would be the size of 14 football grounds and occupy what was now pristine rural settings. He said the range would give rise to safety concerns because the range of rifles usually used in such facilities could easily reach more than a kilometre and the noise levels through continuous shooting would be unbearable.
Although it was positive that such a facility could attract events like the shooting world cup one could not imagine having about 3,000 shooters at the range, as the developers were proposing.
Many of those who spoke were against the development, insisting it should be stopped immediately. Some also wondered whether the Mepa process that would follow would be genuine because they feared the development was another electoral promise of convenience.
“Is this a fait accompli?” a resident asked.
“How come the developers are already saying the world cup will take place at their range when they have not even submitted the Mepa application?” another noted.
In a bid to counter the criticism being made, shooters present noted that the range would be equipped with state-of-the art mitigation measures, including sound and safety barriers.
However, the big bulk of the audience would have nothing of that and insisted the development should be abandoned.
The developers are expected to make their presentation at the next meeting.