Two fuel station applications are expected to be decided upon by the Planning Authority board tomorrow.
One of the two stations, that which is being proposed to be relocated to Luqa, had caused quite some controversy. The last meeting on the proposed station saw activists take over part of the Planning Authority meeting with placards, speakerphones, chants, banners and music. The meeting had to be suspended and moved to another building before resuming due to the activists. The initial vote ended in a deadlock with the Chairman having the casting vote, resulting in the intention to overturn the Planning Directorate's approval recommendation being shown by the board. A final decision is now expected tomorrow.
The application will, if approved, provide for the relocation of the Savoy petrol station located on Rue d'Argens to Outside development Zone land in Luqa.
The proposed site lies just off Triq Hal Qormi, Luqa, an arterial road between Qormi and Luqa. The site in question is also located in front of the entrance to the Luqa industrial zone, known as Hal Farrug. The latter is an industrial estate housing a number of small and medium industries. The site is irregularly shaped and surrounded with a rubble wall around the perimeter of two fields.
The case officer's report reads that the proposed works include: Car wash and drying areas; Pumping station; Tyre service garage; Class 4B Shop (on two floors); VRT Garage; LPG tank; Electrical vehicle charging point; ATM facility; and car parking spaces. Lightweight canopies are being proposed as to cover the fuelling, the car wash and the drying areas.
Protesters from Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent and Moviment Graffitti had used this application to make a wider statement. They called on the Authority to stop ruining the island for the future generations, to stop "issuing permits like Pastizzi" and for the Board to stop hearing current fuel station applications until the fuel station policy review concludes.
After a brief suspension due to the commotion, and a move to a different building, the PA sitting had resumed. The Planning Directorate, through the case officer, had recommended that the development be approved. However, five board members, out of the ten present, disagreed, and thus the initial vote saw a stalemate. In cases where the board indicates that it will overturn the Planning Directorate's recommendation, a final vote is taken in another sitting, as was decided in this situation. Thus the final vote will be taken tomorrow.
In their reasons for showing an intention to overturn the case officer's grant recommendation, the board members listed that the size of the proposed station site is larger than 3,000 square metres, that the proposal runs counter to certain SPED policies, that the proposal is premature since the Fuel Stations policy is currently under review, and among other things, also listed "the allegations of collusion between the Authority and the developers made in the note circulated to the members by the Moviment Graffiti and Kamp Emergenza Ambjent."
The second fuel station application includes the re-location of a kerb-side pump (found on Marina Street, Pieta) and the change of use of part of existing plant yard into a fuel filling station at Tal-Blata L-Gholja, Mosta. Works include the demolition of existing rooms and their re- location , landscaping of site, cleaning, upgrading of existing yard and to sanction.
Moviment Graffiti are registered objectors in this Mosta station application, and argue that the proposed development was already refused by MEPA in 2005, and that an appeal was also refused. They argue that the zone is of high landscape value, and that the development would have a negative impact on the environment. They also said that a considerable number of pumps operate in the surrounding area.
The Planning Directorate, through the case officer, says that "the proposed site for a fuel station cannot be considered in view that it is not located on an arterial or distributor road. Moreover, the site of the proposed fuel station exceeds the 3,000 square metre footprint required by policy. The proposal also lacks the necessary details and studies required for a holistic assessment."
The proposed works include filling points; service Station (Shop); offices; storage space; and garages. The rest of the site (towards the rear) is to retain its use as a plant yard, which could only be accessed through the proposed fuel station. The site in question is located outside the development zone and within the Mosta Local Council boundary. Existing development on site consists of a number of structures and a yard used as an open storage. The structures within the site are in excess of the footprint indicated in the permit.
The case officer recommended that this application be refused.
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