ERA says no to kiosk outside Ta’ Qali animal clinic

The Environment and Resources Authority is objecting to an application for the construction of a kiosk on the grounds of the animal clinic in Ta’ Qali

The timber kiosk and an outside seating area is being proposed on landscaped grounds in front of the San Frangisk Animal hospital in Attard
The timber kiosk and an outside seating area is being proposed on landscaped grounds in front of the San Frangisk Animal hospital in Attard

The Environment and Resources Authority is objecting to an application for the construction of a kiosk on the grounds of the animal clinic in Ta’ Qali which will result in the loss of over 200m2 of undeveloped land, “through the construction of a kiosk and hard landscaping, including grass blocks”. 

ERA insists that the proposal is not acceptable from an environmental point of view. “It will contribute to the overdevelopment of the site with adverse, cumulative environmental impacts including further encroachment and scattering of new structures and other interventions which could have easily been located within appropriate areas”. 

Moreover according to ERA the construction of such facilities would undermine the rural characteristics of the area through the introduction of recreational/commercial activities such as this one. 

ERA also warned that the approval of this application may also create a precedent for further interventions within this particular area which cumulatively would result in further uptake of ODZ land for unjustified uses and consequential impacts on landscape. 

The Malta Tourism Authority also pointed out that such a development only be allowed if it is deemed to benefit the community. 

“The kiosk should only be allowed if the authority in charge of animal welfare agrees with the proposal.”

The timber kiosk and an outside seating area is being proposed on landscaped grounds in front of the San Frangisk Animal hospital in Attard.  

The application has been presented by the company, which operates the hospital, which stands in the vicinity of the farmer’s market and the picnic area of Ta’ Qali. 

The application also foresees the planting of a number of olive trees.

The 24-hour centre, which was built with €420,000 of public funds, was opened in October 2010. The centre closed its doors when the contract with the original service provider expired and in September 2015 the Secretariat for Animal Welfare had announced APH Ltd was taking over following a public call.  When asked whether the tender foresaw the development of a kiosk a spokesperson for parliamentary secretary Roderick Galdes told MaltaToday that the tender had been issued by the Lands Department. APH Ltd did not reply to questions sent by MaltaToday.

In the application APH Ltd declared that it is not the sole owner of the site but it had notified the owner of its intention to apply and that the owner had granted consent to the proposal.