The Environment and Resources Authority has advised that various events which occur in Natura 2000 sites (SACs and SPAs) designated through the relevant regulations, including music events, barbecues, etc, are subject to prior ERA clearance.
Full details of the Natura 2000 sites in Gozo and Malta can be found here. [1]To this effect, the ERA has published General rules for certain organised activities and events involving crowds, which can be read in full by clicking here [2].
These rules apply for activities occurring within or affecting Natura 2000 sites as per Annex 1 in the document – For activities of more than 25 persons, a prior notification of the activity shall be submitted to the ERA at least 15 days before the event on nature.permitting@era.org.mt [3] with the details of the checklist in Annex 2 of the document.
Provided that, on a case by case basis the ERA said that it may request a formal Environmental Permit prior to the activity occurring or otherwise impose additional conditions including the provision of an appropriate bank guarantee to ensure adherence with conditions.
Applications for a formal permit are to be submitted through the online ERIS portal. [4]
Gozo’s Wied il-Mielah [5], which was designated as a new Natura 2000 site in 2020. The area was designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and declared as a Special Protection Area (SPA)