PA to decide on fate of ODZ land as fuel station application to be discussed Thursday

The Planning Authority is set to discuss an outline development application for a new fuel station on ODZ land in Zejtun, an application which saw 187 representations and objections.

This application seeks permission for the construction of not just fuel pumps, but also a service station (Shop), a truck VRT garage, a truck wash area, an ATM, car wash facilities and parking.

The site in question is located outside the development zone, and could be accessed from Triq Hal Tarxien, Qasam Industrijali ta Bulebel, Zejtun. The site is an agricultural land parcel known as il-Hofra il-Hamra. A few built structures are present along this side of the road, whereas industrial development is limited to the opposite side within Bulebel Industrial Estate. According to the plans, the site area stands at 3,000sqm, the amount allowed under current policy.

The 187 representations focused on a number of issues, including: too many petrol stations within the surroundings; loss of good quality agricultural land; the road fronting the site is not an arterial or distributor road as required; land speculation, etc.

The Environment and Resources Authority said, according to the Case Officer's report that "although the proposal qualifies for further EIA studies, this requirement is secondary to ERA's overriding objection to the development which encroaches beyond the development zone boundary onto a rural area which de facto acts as a strategic open gap between Bulebel industrial estate and its surroundings. ERA considers that there is no valid justification for the further loss of undeveloped rural land and associated environmental impacts to accommodate even further development of petrol stations. There is also concern regarding the cumulative environmental impact cause by the numerous ad hoc proposals for petrol stations currently being proposed on ODZ land. An ad hoc EIA for this proposal per se would still leave this strategic-level environmental concern unresolved."

The case officer has recommended that the application be refused, stating: "In all cases, the entrance to the fuel station should be visible from the Distributor or Arterial Road. The site is not considered as having access from a distributor or arterial Road and as such, the proposed site is not being considered as suitable for the sitting of a new fuel station." The case officer also notes that the proposal is also situated within a site which is designated for agricultural importance and within a valley protection zone.

This application is being discussed prior to the conclusion of a review by the Planning Authority of the Fuel Station Policy concludes. The current policy is highly controversial and has received much criticism from the general public. The ERA had submitted recommendations for a possible policy rethink.

 

from The Malta Independent https://ift.tt/2LFf1YJ
via IFTTT