Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1070939
NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 JANUARY 2019 Extension to building zones cannot be approved, PA says JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Authority is faced with four different requests to extend de- velopment boundaries, which if ap- proved would add 30,000 square metres to Malta's development zones, but the PA's spokesperson has confirmed that such applications cannot be approved. "Applications which propose exten- sions to the development zone cannot be considered favourably," the spokes- person told MaltaToday when asked directly about planning control applica- tions presented by individual owners to extend the boundaries. Planning control applications are normally presented to set building and zoning parameters for land already in- cluded in the development zone, and not to add new land to the development zone. The largest of the four applications presented to extend development boundaries was by developer Charles Camilleri, otherwise known as 'Tal- Franciz', to include 13,865 sq.m of land currently outside development zones along Labour Avenue in Zabbar. Another two applications have been presented by developer Carmelo Cauchi on behalf of different owners in Ghasri and Xlendi. The Xlendi plot covers 12,774 sq.m of agricultural land on the side of the valley. The area is des- ignated as one of high landscape value. Cauchi has also recently presented a similar application to include a 3,194 sq.m plot of ODZ land in Gozo in the development zone. In Gharghur, Emmanuel Farrugia is seeking to develop a residential block outside development zones over 958 square metres of abandoned agricultur- al land in Triq San Gwann in Gharghur. The land is adjacent to land included in development boundaries in 2006. Farrugia had first applied to get a resi- dential block approved outside the de- velopment zones, but when faced with a recommendation for refusal by the case officer, he requested a suspension of the decision with his architect Charles Buhagiar informing the PA of the new planning control application. The Planning Authority has yet not validated the applications in Gharghur and Zabbar but the two applications in Gozo have been issued for public con- sultation. Yet if the PA sticks to its commitment to refuse these applications, as long as there are no changes in the local plans, all four application are destined to be refused. Cauchi's application seeks to establish the planning parameters for the site, in- cluding the road alignment and access roads from Triq il-Qsajjem in Xlendi. Environmental NGO Flimkien Ghall- Ambjent Ahjar has expressed concern about the two applications presented in Gozo insisting that such requests should be out-rightly refused. "A plan- ning control application is a mechanism reserved for minor changes to land al- ready within the development. The law specifically precludes this mechanism from being used to change the zoning of the area itself, as is being requested in these two cases," architect Tara Cas- sar said. FAA insisted that if approved, these applications would make a mockery of existing planning restrictions and ren- der the Planning Authority's role obso- lete. "It is the abandonment of public bodies safeguarding the public's inter- est in planning decisions. It is the sur- render of our well-being to business interests. These applications must be refused." The PA is still finalising a revision of the local plans commenced in 2013 which may include a change in bounda- ries. Government sources have confirmed unease among landowners who have been actively lobbying for the inclusion of their lands in development zones. But the government is also wary of an- tagonising environmentalists before MEP elections due in May. But the Strategic Plan for the Environ- ment and Development makes it clear that only small changes to boundaries can be considered. Planning Authority faced with four applications to extend development zones in Zabbar, Gharghur, Ghasri and Xlendi