'Petrol station policy paving way for urban sprawl' - Front Ħarsien ODZ

Front Harsien ODZ has expressed concern about a number of planning applications for the development of ODZ petrol stations and is objecting to five ODZ petrol stations proposed in the past months.

The Front notes that the wave of applications comes in the wake of the approval of a controversial new policy, which paves the way for a new urban sprawl by further undermining the distinction between urban and rural areas. 

“By undermining the distinction between urban and rural areas, petrol stations fully equipped with other facilities like a car wash could create a precedent for more development in the future,” the Front warned.

Front Harsien ODZ agreed with the relocation of petrol stations from urban areas where these can pose a danger to residents to designated industrial or storage areas outside development zones, but when relocated petrol stations should continue to occupy the same footprint as before.  

The new policy, approved last year, allows petrol stations to be relocated from existing sites to rural areas outside development zones. These fuel stations are also allowed to expand their facilities to up to 3,000 square meters.

The policy allows brand new petrol stations (not re-located ones) to be developed on over 3,000 square meter sites in ODZ areas designated for industrial or storage use or as areas of containment.

"Front Harsien ODZ is particularly concerned by a clause in the new policy which permits new petrol stations in rural areas “opposite or adjacent” to industrial and storage areas and areas of containment as this would result in an urban sprawl," the Front said in a press statement.

“There is no justification for 3,000 square meters petrol stations in a small country like Malta.”

"The Front also believes that all relocations should be limited to ODZ areas designated for industrial or storage use. Re-using the sites of abandoned petrol stations should also be considered. 

"No permits for  brand new petrol stations should be issued outside development boundaries as this would take the limited space available for re-located petrol stations."

Undeveloped sites located in areas of containment should also be avoided if development on these sites results in a sprawl of urban activities in rural areas.

"This is because areas of containment in fact are designated to create a transition between industrial or tourism areas and rural areas and not to increase extent of the urban sprawl," it said.

The Front is objecting to five ODZ petrol stations proposed in the past months. Two of these being proposed along Triq Burmarrad In Saint Paul’s Bay (TRK 163413 and TRK 159861).

One of the petrol stations in Burmarrad is being proposed by Easysell Kia Malta Ltd, a company owned by Tumas Group. The petrol station is being proposed on a vacant site designated as an area of containment but which was formerly a rural area ruined by past irregularities. T

The Front noted that three previous attempts to develop a carwash in the same area were rejected. MEPA’s Appeals Board had also reprimanded the owners for excavating the site without the necessary permission, and leaving the excavated material lying on the site and ordered the developers to restore the rural character of the area.

The other proposal in Burmarrad is being made by Construction and Turnkey House Ltd, in an area adjacent to an area of containment in an area designated for its agricultural value. The Environment Protection Directorate has already objected to this proposal. 

Front Harsien ODZ also objected to petrol stations being proposed along Triq is-Salina in Maghtab ( PA 03387/14 proposed by Paul Abela), in Triq l-Imdina in Attard (TRK 162894 proposed by Ludwig Camilleri) and another one in Triq l-Industrija il-Kirkop (TRK 163861 proposed by Giancarlo Cini), on agricultural land opposite an industrial area.

"The Front will remain vigilant in assessing new applications for petrol stations and is calling on the government to revise the policy approved last year in view of its devastating consequences," the statemen reads.