MEPA approves Tigne Point shooting range

The Association of Maltese Arms Collectors & Shooters (AMACS) today welcomed MEPA’s decision to approve an application to set up an Olympic standard air pistol and air rifle shooting range within part of its facilities located at Tigne' Point.

The association said the a 119 sq m airpistol shooting range in the Clock Tower block in Tigne Point is planned to be among the most advanced on the island, with all modern facilities including electronic scoring systems.

“This positive development shall help the association achieve its aims to promote the highest standards in sports shooting in Malta,” AMACS said.

The development of a shooting range in this area was foreseen in the local plan but the area was previously identified as a club house for sports organisations. The proposed shooting range will replace the premises of the Association of Maltese Arms Collectors and Shooters.

Residents in Tigne Point had objected to the development claiming that this constituted an unacceptable nuisance due to the noise. But an engineer report concluded that noise levels will be below any background noise levels and were within acceptable limits.

The development will take place with the first floor level of Block T1 on the site formerly occupied by the British barracks which were used for social housing and sports clubs.

Originally the first floor was allocated to the Assocjazzjoni Sportiva Tigne which no longer exists.  Subsequently most of this space was allocated to offices like that of MIMCOL. 

Meanwhile, AMACS reiterated their call for a National Shooting Range project that will accommodate all sport shooting disciplines.

Plans for an international standard range in Busbesija, Mosta, have been recently dismissed by  government.

The Russian investors behind the proposed shooting range hit out at the news that its plan has been dismissed on account of its finances, arguing that it is “surprised at the statements,” and that it was “never informed of the issues.”

The project on the derelict military installation proposed by Russian owned company named U-group had been shot down by the government as it failed the due diligence process conducted by it prior to the project’s approval.