Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) has said that it welcomes recent decisions taken by MEPA boards that indicate an increased sensitivity to public interest and, not before time, a social conscience. One such decision was applied to the proposed Lidl supermarket in the Xaghra/Xewkija Valley shown in the MEPA map above.

FAA successfully challenged the building of a Lidl supermarket right across the Xaghra/Xewkija valley. While the supermarket building was planned within the building line, the car-park was to be totally outside the building zone (ODZ), stretching across fertile agricultural land. The developer’s architect, Perit Joe Bondin acceded that the car park could be laid directly on the soil instead of being concreted over, however FAA maintained that this would simply lead to later claims that that the ODZ land was ‘disturbed’ and could be built upon, as was the case with the Seabank car park. Unlike previous ODZ permits granted to Lidl, the DCC Board ruled that the supermarket is to be built strictly within the building line with the car park accommodated underground or at roof level.

Friday 6th May marked a landmark decision for MEPA when a full application for the development of industrial garages in Maghtab was refused even though the site had been previously granted an outline development permit. The proposed development, which included the demolition of a disused rabbit farm and the construction of industrial premises, was deemed by the MEPA Board to go against the public interest, as the development did not respect planning policies.

MEPA Chairman Austin Walker said ‘While we respect the decisions taken by previous Boards, the Board takes decisions based on today’s planning policies and on the principle of sustainable development while making sure that permits are granted in the public interest.’ If approved, the project would have ignored completely and extended the hardships and health hazards that the residents of Maghtab have endured for years on end and which should have ended with the rehabilitation of the landfill.

Within the same week other cases which FAA has successfully challenged include the Marsaskala case where the public open space has been bought for construction and annexed to a hotel. This is permitted by the Local Plans as long as the roof level of the four-floor development doubles as a public garden. Following submissions by FAA and the residents’ architect Perit Carmel Cacopardo, the DCC again called for fresh plans to ensure the residents’ rights and accessibility to all.On the heritage front, FAA objected to the demolition of one of the neo-Gothic houses overlooking Spinola Bay to make way for more apartments; it is gratifying to note that in spite of the many precedents in the area, MEPA dismissed this application. FAA calls for the scheduling and restoration of both Neo-Gothic houses, possibly the only surviving original houses in the il-Qaliet area, and urges the authorities to release the financial assistance to owners of scheduled houses promised in the last budget.

While appreciating these decisions, FAA underlined the fact that MEPA’s commitment to reform and social responsibility will only be proven with the adjudication of projects where large speculative interests are at stake, such as the forthcoming hearing on the Hondoq Qala Creek development.

The Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar website can be found at www.faa.org.mt.

Top photograph shows the MEPA map of Xewkija Valley showing the requested supermarket footprint in blue.

Lower photograph shows the public open space at Marsaskala which has been annexed by the neighbouring hotel. The public garden is now to be accommodated on the roof of the four-floor residential development to be built on this site.

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