The MEPA Board today gave planning consent for the renewal of permit PA 6894/98 to extend hard stone quarry and the renewal of permission PA3105/05 to extract and crush coralline rock, both at the Hard Stone Quarry in the area of Ta’ Klement, in Qala, Gozo.

MEPA said that “Qala is one of the main locations indicated for hardstone quarrying in Gozo. The Minerals Resources Assessment identified this area as a Grade 1 resource area with laboratory test carried out for this site estimates that 85% of the limestone present on site is very good quality material.”

In a statement earlier today, FAA had voiced its concern the application for extension at Ta Muxi Quarry describing it “as an important case.”

FAA said that it “maintains that in the light of this quarry operator’s ongoing record of abuse, MEPA’s lack of commitment to take action over such abuse, and the impact that this enormous, sprawling quarry has on the health and quality of life of Qala residents, these permits should be refused.”MEPA also gave planning permission for a project which includes significant restoration works to be carried out at a site located in Triq il-Kbira, Balzan. The Board cited that with this latest planning application, the permitted works and interventions will not compromise the character and heritage of the urban conservation area of this traditional village.

The site which consists of three Grade 2 scheduled adjacent two-storey buildings comprising a vernacular building, a British period building, a late Knights period property and a large garden will include the construction of an extension at the back of each property to increase the habitable floor area of each dwelling.

Additional works involve the construction of a 4 car outdoor parking area and the re-alignment of the existing rear party wall in the garden.

MEPA said that the restoration works include the conservation of the properties and the retention of a number of significant features and structures within the properties which include a mill room, an underground cistern and WWII shelter and a pigeon loft.

The Authority issued an Emergency Conservation Order on the properties in July 2011 and scheduled the same properties in January 2012, following which the site owner had carried out works which included the reconstruction of the alley wall, the reconstruction of the mill room roof, restoration of the pigeon loft, cleaning and repair of the cistern, repair of dangerous sections of party walls and the reconstruction of pergola columns and passageways amongst others.

The Board imposed two bank guarantees, one of €46,000 to ensure that the restoration works are carried out according to the agreed method statement and another of €13,400 to ensure that landscaping works are carried out in line with approved drawings.

A penalty was also imposed for works that were carried out without planning permission. The Superintendent for Cultural Heritage found no objection to this project.

MEPA said that “this was the sixth planning application on this site. Previous applications which all were refused by the Authority included the proposed demolition of the buildings for the construction of 14 maisonettes, followed by a proposal to construction 18 terraced houses and even a proposal to construct a residential development comprising 43 dwelling units with underground parking facilities.”

“The planning application which was approved today will not include the construction of any new dwellings. The 3 protected properties will be renovated and used for residential purposes,” MEPA concluded.

Photograph of Qala Quarry by FAA

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