Today's revelation that the proposed shooting range in the Busbesija area of Mosta has been scrapped by the government after the developer failed a due diligence process is news to the developer, U-Group Malta Ltd, who said that it was not informed of any such decision.

Through its subsidiary U-Shoot, the Russian-owned group was planning to develop Malta's largest shooting complex around a former anti-aircraft battery. The battery was one of four publicly-owned properties offered to the private sector for restoration and commercial reuse by the government.

The plans quickly became controversial, firstly over concerns that it would destroy the tranquillity enjoyed by the neighbouring Mount Saint Joseph retreat house, which is run by the Jesuits.

But while the Jesuits were the first to express their opposition to the project, they were soon joined by many Mosta residents, who launched the organisation "Mostin u Ħbieb kontra x-Shooting Range" (Mosta residents and friends against the shooting range) to organise their opposition.

In the end, however, the project appears not to have been scrapped due to their concerns, but because of financial considerations.

According to a story which appeared on today's Sunday Times of Malta, U-Group has failed the due diligence process, leading the government to move on to the next preferred bidder, who had proposed a retreat home with agritourism activities.

But U-Group has claimed that it was given no notice of this, pointing out that it was never asked for any clarifications on its submissions by any government representative.

The company concluded by stating that it "would be very surprised if any decisions or issues were communicated to the media by the Government of Malta but not to the investors."