Siġġiewi Local Council to appeal crematorium approval

The Siġġiewi Local Council will appeal the Planning Authority's decision to approve a crematorium in Ta’ Brija and seek to suspend its permit.

This comes after the council held an emergency meeting on Friday following the approval of the development. In this meeting, the council unanimously condemned the project.

On Thursday, the Planning Authority approved application PA/07540/25, allowing a crematorium to be built and operated in Ta’ Brija, Siġġiewi.

The council argued that the approval contradicts the PA’s own existing policies, while the Environment and Resource Authority failed to provide its opinion on the project despite being legally obliged to provide one.

At the same time, it pointed out that no objective scientific analysis was conducted into the project’s potential impact on Siġġiewi and its residents.

The council further pointed to the crematorium’s effect on residents’ quality of life, including potential emissions, increased traffic, damage to agricultural land, and other permanent and harmful consequences.

Therefore, the Siġġiewi Local Council intends to formally appeal the PA’s decision. Additionally, it will request the suspension of the permit’s execution, which would prevent construction from proceeding while the appeal is being considered.

It also intends to pursue the matter before the Court of Appeal if necessary.

The council strongly condemned the PA’s decision to approve the development, and committed itself to organising and supporting any other initiatives necessary to prevent the crematorium from being built.

Next, the council will distribute its motion condemning the project to the media, homes, and residences in Siġġiewi, while also sending copies to government and the opposition.

This includes Prime Minister Robert Abela, Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli, Opposition Leader Alex Borg, and other ministers and opposition spokespersons.