Brand new fireworks factory proposed in Siggiewi

The Circolo San Guiseppe Band club of Kalkara is proposing a brand new fireworks factory at Il-Fulija in a pristine area in Siggiewi.

The development is set to be spread over 9,814 square meter site, which lies outside development zones.

The proposed development includes three gates; two escape gates, wind turbines and various stores and workshops.

The application was presented in September 2012 and is still being processed by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

Two weeks ago an application was also presented for an extension of the St Philip's fireworks complex in Zebbug, which also lies outside development boundaries.

MEPA had already approved an extension to the fireworks factory in 2003 despite a clear recommendation for a refusal by a case officer. MEPA had already sanctioned a number of illegal rooms in 1999.

Another controversial application currently being evaluated by MEPA is the extension of a fireworks factory in a pristine area in Gharghur. The development lies on the ground water protection zone.

A controversial application to develop a fireworks factory in Ghaxaq by the San Gabriel Band Club has been postponed after the developers have requested a suspension in view of the new policy on fireworks which is expected to come in place in the next months.

The new policy on fireworks - currently being drafted by a committee chaired by Labour MP and pyrotechnics association lawyer Michael Falzon - is set to facilitate the approval of firework factories in ODZ areas.

Over the past few years, MEPA has refused permits for ODZ fireworks factories in Tal-Isqof in Rabat, in Tal-Ghajn Mellieha and in Tas-Sanap in Gozo. A final decision on the Mellieha fireworks factory is set to be taken by MEPA's Review Tribunal in the next months.