Front Ħarsien ODZ is objecting to the development of a shooting range at Busbesija both because of the scale of development being proposed in an outside development zone and also because of the impact on a nearby retreat
house which has served the Maltese community for the past decades.

The barracks which the developers are promising to restore cover less than 10% of the area being devoted to the project, which is set to include a 300m range adjacent to the barracks, a 25m range, a 50m range, an indoor range, a dynamic range, trap and skeet ranges, an artillery battery and a paintball park.

In a statement, Front Ħarsien ODZ called on the government to exclude shooting ranges located close to hospitals, schools, homes for the retired and retreat houses in the new policy being proposed to regulate shooting ranges.

Front Ħarsien ODZ also expressed concern on reports that the shooting range could attract events such as the Shooting World Cup which should never take place in a pristine rural aera which should be free of traffic and noise.