Committee clears first hurdle for Luqa fireworks factory extension

An ad hoc technical committee has cleared the first hurdle for an application to  upgrade the existing St Andrew’s fireworks factory in Luqa which would involve the construction of six new stores on ODZ land.  

The adhoc committee was appointed to conduct risk assessments for new applications for  fireworks factories before these are submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA). The application will now have to clear the necessary planning process.

Five other applications are being discussed by the committee but only one has been given clearance so far, a spokesperson for planning parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon confirmed.  

The committee is chaired by Inspector Sandro Camilleri from the police force and includes Sergeant Patrick Vella from the armed forces and Carmelo Briffa.

The new policy regulating fireworks factory complexes states that “prior to the submission of a development application to MEPA, the proposed design of a fireworks factory complex must be submitted to an ‘ad hoc technical committee’ appointed by the minister responsible for planning and which will have the role of guiding proponents on the technical parameters to be adopted within such complexes in order to examine design and take into account operational considerations and with a view to assess and reduce associated risks.

The licensed fireworks factory is located on a large 11,598 square metres ODZ tract of land which is described as “underutilized” in the planning application submitted by the fireworks enthusiasts. 

The complex, located in an area known as Ta’ Hal Saflieni, is partly covered by a planning permit issued in 1973. The proposed complex will consist of 26 rooms.

The proposal involves the construction of six main stores, a reservoir, new storage and processing rooms, blast walls with sand bags, the installation of a new firefighting system, the construction of a chain link fence, the re-levelling of the site to ensure better access, the removing of “inappropriate” trees and the planting of new ones and the sanctioning of a number of pre-1967 structures. 

The factory is within the 183 metre safety limit from Triq Garibaldi and Triq Patri Indri Schembri.