Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1111954
02.05.19 16 PROPERTY FOLLOWING months of in- tense consultation with various entities and stakeholders, the Planning Authority has pub- lished for public consultation, a new policy framework for fuel stations. is new proposed policy will guide the future evaluation of planning applications related only to the relocation of ex- isting fuel stations which are currently having an adverse impact on urban areas. Once approved, this pro- posed policy framework, will repeal the existing Fuel Service Stations Policy which was ap- proved in April 2015. Relocated fuel stations must be sited in designated indus- trial areas, small and medium enterprise sites, Areas of Con- tainment or Open Storage sites identified in the Open Storage Policy. Other areas designated for development in the local plan excluding Residential Areas and Residential Priority Areas, and Urban Conservation Are- as, deemed safe by the Author- ities will also be considered. e Authority may also con- sider areas within ODZ which already have a permitted/le- gally commitment on site and which are not related to ag- riculture and/or animal hus- bandry. Such sites will only be con- sidered, if a wider environ- mental benefit is achieved and the development is compatible with the context of the area. In such cases, the total footprint shall not exceed the existing permitted/legally commit- ted footprint and not exceed 1000m². Sites already occupied by permitted fuel stations will be allowed to upgrade. Should a permitted fuel station be in an ODZ, upgrading works may not exceed the existing foot- print or 1,000sq.m, whichever is the larger. e upgrades that will be al- lowed shall be limited to stat- utory and regulatory obliga- tions, ancillary facilities and/or the introduction of dispensing facilities for alternative fuels such as CNG, LPG and electric charging stations. No footprint limit will apply if the permitted fuel station is within the development boundary subject to neigh- bourhood safety and compati- bility. Existing fuel stations which, following consultations with Transport Malta and MRA, are not deemed to create issues of amenity, safety or transport shall not be eligible for reloca- tion. Existing fuel stations located partially or fully in ODZ shall also not be eligible for reloca- tion. e redevelopment and change of use of existing fuel stations located partially or fully in ODZ shall not be con- sidered. e height of a proposed fuel station shall not exceed 7me- tres. e new policy is also propos- ing that any fuel station per- mitted by this new policy doc- ument which is not used for its permitted purpose for a period of three consecutive years shall be demolished at the expense of the owner, and the site has to return to agricultural state. e Planning Authority in- vites all interested parties to send in their submissions re- lated to the proposed policy framework. Representations are to be made in writing and sent to postal address: Planning Au- thority, Director of Planning, St Francis Ravelin, Floriana FRN1234 or through email: FSSP_review@pa.org.mt. e proposed Fuel Stations Policy may be viewed on the PA's website www.pa.org.mt/ consultation. Submissions must reach the Authority by not later than 14 June 2019. New fuel station policy issued for public consultation OPEN PUBLIC CONSULTATION Relocated fuel stations must be sited in designated industrial areas, small and medium enterprise sites, Areas of Containment or Open Storage sites identified in the Open Storage Policy