MEPA launches fireworks factory complexes policy for public consultation

A policy for new fireworks factory complexes and for the upgrading of existing facilities has been launched for public consultation by parliamentary secretary for planning Michael Farrugia, and policy chairman and Labour MP Michael Falzon and MEPA.

Michael Falzon is also the legal consultant for the fireworks lobby, the Malta Pyrotechnic Association.

Under the new policy, new factories will be developed in outside development zones. A committee will be set up to vet applications before these are considered before the MEPA board.

Falzon said the policy was intended at filling the lacuna of a specific MEPA policy.

The policy stipulates those areas in which fireworks factory complexes cannot be developed and areas which would be considered as "candidate sites" for environmental protection.

Michael Farrugia said the policy was "far more stringent than what is provided for in the existing legislation".

"Amongst others, it excludes the siting of such complexes within the statutory distance, from hospitals, old peoples' homes, industrial areas, reverse osmosis plants and so on," Farrugia said.

Limitations are also imposed as to the height of such structures, so as to have such structured blend in with the surrounding landscape as much as possible.

Falzon said that for better operational and safety considerations, the policy avoids a one-size-fits-all approach by forcing each buildilng to be designed according to the site in question.

When the policy comes into force, references to fireworks factory complexes in two local plans will be superseded.