Petrol station proposed for Maghtab
Construction works and the operations of the fuel station have the potential to be sources of groundwater pollution unless appropriate environmental management systems are adopted.
An ODZ petrol station is being proposed on abandoned agricultural land with two existing two-storey buildings in Maghtab.
According to a Project Development Statement (PSD) submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, the development will be on the triangular plot of land wedged between Triq is-Salini to the west and Trejqet l-Arznu to the east. The surrounding area includes crop and livestock farms and small-scale industrial developments.
The proposed development would leave an old carob tree on the northern side of the site, but two protected Aleppo pines will be removed.
The development would include autogas pumps, electric car-charging facilities, carwashes, retail facilities and underlying garages.
The site covers an area of 3,593 m2, of which 63 m2 would be absorbed in widening the carriageway to create a ghost island junction.
The need for the ghost island was identified in a traffic study and endorsed by Transport Malta.
The proposed fuel station is intended for the vehicles which normally use the roads through or bypassing Maghtab. It is also meant to attract those drivers who do not use the services of other fuel stations located in Mellieħa, San Pawl il-Bahar and Naxxar/Gharghur.
The site is located outside the development zone, but the PDS states that such a development may be permitted because fuel stations constitute a type of development which is considered necessary (but not acceptable in urban areas).
The PDS states that the impact on the landscape and visual amenity is expected to be of high significance because of the nature of the development and the materials and finishes that would be used.
"The proposed station is designed to be visible", the PDS states.
The construction works and the operations of the fuel station have the potential to be sources of groundwater pollution unless appropriate environmental management systems are adopted during both phases of the proposed development.