MEPA study noted 30 vulnerable species, no cultural heritage at Zonqor

A preliminary desktop study by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority had noted 30 species with a vulnerable status or of ecological significance at the Zonqor site that has been earmarked as the site for the construction of a private university.

The study was tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat following a parliamentary question by Opposition MP Ryan Callus.

At the request of their CEO Johann Buttigieg, MEPA were requested to locate a site for the American University of Malta with the following specifications:

"The site has to be in the south of the Island, with a half of the required site to be in government ownership. The site cannot be in a protected area and it has to be serviced well by existing infrastructure including roads, drainage and water and electricity".  

Only two sites conformed to these specifications- Zonqor and Fort St Leonard and the adjacent fields. 

MEPA noted 58 species with a vulnerable status or of ecological significant at the Fort St Leonard site. Moreover, it assed that the wooded area near Fort St. Leonard merits protection due to the holm oaks it contains.  

They added that the Zonqor area does not include any area or buildings of cultural heritage value, pointing out that the Zonqor battery further to the west had already been ruled out of consideration. The Fort St Leonard area, on the other hand, was deemed to be significantly more culturally important.

MEPA siad that 43% of Zonqor is bare land with rocky outcrops, 30% is agricultural grass land, 24% is agricultural land with no annual activity, 1% vegetated slopes, 1% agricultural arable land, and 1% artificial sealed surfaces.

MEPA also argued that Zonqor is more well-served to the road network than Fort St. Leonard.

“Vehicular access to Fort St Leonard is through narrow country lanes and paths of restricted widths which are not deemed suitable for the American University of Malta,” the MEPA report said. “Although it could not be ascertained whether current provision of drainage, water and electricity supply networks are adequate, it can also be concluded that considering that these services are provided through network channels in roads and the limited road infrastructure, upgrading of services would be required.

"This would add to the development costs in view of additional expenses on infrastructure provision. The area is also around 800m from the nearest urban settlement, Xghajra.”
On the other hand, they said that vehicular access to Zonqor is through a single carriageway that reaches the area directly and links it to the wider road networj.

“The area is only a few metres from the development zone of Marsascala and, in the absence of a detailed site boundary, can be considered as adjacent to the same zone. Therefore, provision of utility services in this area can be considered, at face value, as able to accommodate the current and planned requirements of the development zone for residential and commercial uses.”

Taking these issues into account, MEPA therefore deemed Fort St Leonard "the less preferred option" and argued that the Zonqor area "merits further consideration".