Wied il-Ghasel factories apply for sanctioning

An application has been filed to regularise 15 industrial units which have been operating without a planning permit for the past 22 years in the Wied il-Ghasel valley along Burmarrad road.

The entire site is currently occupied by various types of industrial activities, ranging from storage to panel beating, parking of coaches and trucks and storage and repair of boats.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has turned down eight individual permit applications presented in 2000 with the aim of regularising the industrial units in this Outside Development Zone area.

However in 2006 the North West Local Plan policy designated the area as one where industrial development can be allowed.

Originally the site was occupied by a poultry farm which had the necessary permits. But 22 years ago the owner decided to re-develop the site for industrial use. Eventually the site was portioned into 15 industrial units and was sold to third parties.

The land which is being proposed to be sanctioned has an area of 7,100 square metres. 

The site lies within an aquifer protection zone and is designated as a  water catchment area. The applicants claim that to protect the aquifer they have already concreted a substantial part of the site area in order to prevent any accidental spillages from filtering into the aquifer.

The regularisation will ensure a  more holistic development in the area, a Project Development Statement presented by the developers claims. In addition the development will also be providing a car parking space for the employees and visitors alike.