Considering the rate at which open spaces, agricultural land and historical buildings are being razed and destroyed it is admittedly hard to keep track of all that is going on and what one can do about it. In order to make it easier we have compiled a list of the current sites which are about to be destroyed once and for all, and most importantly what you can do about it. For comparison’s sake the area to be consumed by these 6 open-land-grabbing projects below is equivalent to around of 20 football pitches. Submissions deadline are short so please act now!
Tal-Wej – Naxxar
A plot of scheduled ODZ land in San Pawl tat-Targa measuring 2,750 square metres located just outside the building scheme is being advertised as “an investment opportunity since it is adjacent to (building) scheme and with plans to be in rationalization for development of terraced houses and villas”.
More information: Visit the facebook page
What you can do about it: Submit a representation to the PA by clicking here
Mgarr and Mqabba petrol stations:
In the case of Mgarr (PA/07402/17) this consists of agricultural land in an ODZ along Triq Sir Temi Zammit, between Mosta and Mgarr is being earmarked by the Halmann Vellsix Group for the development of a petrol station, car wash and cafeteria over a 6,793m2 site.
As for the latest case in Mqabba, the developers are asking for a full development permit covering 2,577 square metres of the approximately 3,222 square metres of land outside development zone. The proposed petrol station would fall on the border of an archaeological buffer zone for a third century BC tomb and stands about 300 metres from a Luqa bird sanctuary.
67 applications for new petrol stations had been made between 2013 and 2017. Of these 43 have been approved by the Planning Authority.
More information: Newspaper article on MaltaToday and Times of Malta
What you can do about it: Send emails to the Minister of Environment and ERA Chairperson urging them to review the fuel stations policy in order to close this loophole and prioritise nature and our well being.
Zejtun industrial zone:
Approximately 120,000 square metres agricultural land which is still being used for growing vines, potatoes and other crops and which includes more than 70 carob trees is being earmarked for the expansion of the Bulebel industrial estate. Farmers have already received a notice to evacuate the fields which are on government owned land.
Find out more: Wirt iz-Zejtun
What you can do about it: Sign the petition being organised by Wirt iz-Zejtun
McDonald’s drive-through on ODZ land in Zabbar
This is the second ODZ application in less than a year by McDonalds.
What you can do about it: Send your objection to Planning Authority directly from this link
Simar apartments next to nature reserve
Development application PA/09759/17 for the “proposed demolition of dwellings, construction of five apartments, a recessed floor and semi-basement garage” in the same street of the Simar nature reserve. This risks affecting the designated protected bird sanctuary that falls within a Natura 2000 site and the border of which tapers around a development zone that incorporates Xemxija. The reserve is also recognized as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for its habitats and a Special Protection Area (SPA) for its birds, as well as an area of ecological importance.
More information: Read Birdlife Malta’s press statement
What you can do about it: Send your objection to Planning Authority directly from this link