The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) said that it has been requested by Government to formulate a policy and design guidance for cemeteries.

Prior to the formulation of this policy, in terms of the Environment and Development Planning Act (2010), MEPA is hereby publishing the proposed objectives which will serve to guide the drafting of the document.

The proposed objectives are:

to prohibit the construction of new cemeteries and to establish criteria for the assessment of development applications proposing extensions to cemeteries;

to determine and establish best practices for the proper daily management of cemeteries and ensure that existing cemeteries are conserved and/or upgraded;

to identify any hydro-geological impacts caused by cemeteries or extensions thereto;

to ensure that the emerging policy does not discriminate between different rites and religions; and

to explore the possibility of introducing different methods of burial (including cremation) and establish safeguards which are necessary to address potential environmental impacts (such as emissions).

Individuals and organisations are being invited to send their submissions on this objective. Representations are to be made in writing to the:

Director of Planning, Cemeteries Policy, MEPA, St. Francis Ravelin, Floriana, or through e-mail: cemeteries.policy@mepa.org.mt.

Submissions are to be received by the Authority by not later than 16th December 2013.

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