New proposed policy guidance for shooting ranges

A proposed policy guidance document for shooting ranges has been launched for public consultation by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

In a statement this afternoon, Mepa said the document was the result of the significant increase in the popularity of the clay pigeon and target shooting and the demand for shooting range facilities with internationally recognised standards.

It aimed to establish clear planning parameters through which planning applications could be assessed and regulated.

The proposed framework establishes two policies, one for outdoor and another for indoor ranges.

The policies contain a range of criteria against which proposals for shooting ranges should be assessed. These are grouped into two categories - location requirements and constraints, including environmental characteristics of the site, which set out broad guidelines on preferred locations and scale of the facilities and general design requirements such as massing, layout, access, infrastructure and landscaping.

The policy also highlights particular locations which would be considered favourably for the construction of outdoor ranges.

These include sites already committed for such a land...