Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1113313
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 MAY 2019 NEWS JAMES DEBONO MOST of the pending applications for petrol stations are destined for refusal under a new policy draft issued for public consultation on Monday that will replace the controversial fuel sta- tions policy. But this depends on whether the Planning Authority will assess these applications before or after the approv- al of the new policy, which although applicable to all pending applications, is a process that may take months to conclude. The proposed revision only allows development of fuel stations outside development zones on non-agricul- tural sites, and only if previous per- mits were issued for non-agricultural development, such as warehouses, which in this case would limit the footprint to 1,000sq.m. No size limit is imposed on petrol stations located in ODZ areas designated as industrial and storage zones and so-called areas of containment, which are transition- al zones between the rural ODZ and commercial areas. Applications which would face the axe if assessed under the new policy include the one proposed by Ludwig Camilleri on agricultural land in the road between Rabat and Mdina, the re- location of the Savina Petrol station in Rabat, Gozo to agricultural land along Hal Far road, and the extension of the fuel station approved opposite the Marsaskala family park to 3,000sq.m. Also facing the axe is an electric- charging petrol station proposed by Tuminvest on a makeshift carpark, which is just outside an area of con- tainment where petrol stations of un- limited footprint are presently allowed. Previously, non-relocated new petrol stations were allowed adjacent to these areas. But this is no longer the case with the new policy, which only allows the relocation of existing fuel stations. Neither does the new policy allow ca- tering areas as proposed in this appli- cation. The new policy also does not permit a two-storey cafeteria with an outdoor area, adjacent to the Pit Stop fuel sta- tion in Attard, because catering facili- ties are not recognised as ancillary fa- cilities for a fuel station. The policy revision could endanger the construction of a 3,000sq.m petrol station in Maghtab, proposed by Paul Abela, whose permit was recently re- voked by the Environment and Plan- ning Review Tribunal for procedural reasons. The application was referred back to the PA's planning board be- fore the issue of the new policy. But the PA board had to refrain from taking a decision due to an appeal against the revocation presented in the law courts. This means that if the court appeal is refused, the only way for the PA to ap- prove it would be through the existing policy. Two other refused applications are also awaiting the outcome of an ap- peal presented by the applicants before the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal. Since the new policy still has to be approved, the appeal will be as- sessed under present rules. Only a handful of current applications may be approved under the new policy. These include the one located in the Polidano Brothers complex in Hal Far- rug, which is designated as an area of containment. But its approval forms part of a more comprehensive applica- tion to sanction illegalities in the area. The upgrade of the Dad's Petrol Station in St Paul's Bay and a fuel station pro- posed on a storage site in Mqabba may also be approved under the new policy if contained in the 1000sq.m limit. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Most pending applications may fail under new policy FUEL STATIONS Applicant Location Assessment under new policy Ludwig Camilleri Mdina Road (between Attard and Rabat) Site larger than 1,000sq.m and located on agricultural land thus ineligible under new policy Tuminvest Gas and Electric Recharge station proposed on carpark in Mdina road (next to KIA showroom) outside neighbouring area of containment Larger than 1000sq.m. The application does not foresee a relocation and includes a catering establishment. Frans Schembri Pitstop, Attard. Application foresees new catering area. Catering establishments in petrol stations not allowed by new policy. Charles Mifsud Mdina Road, Zebbug Site larger than 1,000sq.m in rural area. Michael Zammit Hal Far Road, Birzebbugia Site larger than 1,000sq.m located on agricultural land. Patrick Guntrip Proposed extension to already approved petrol station along Triq Sant Antnin, Marsaskala Site larger than 1,000sq.m Colin Sant Upgrade of Dad's Petrol Station in St Paul's Bay Site larger than 1000sq.m but located on disturbed land Shawn Farrugia Tal-Andar ta' Fuq in Mqabba (in open storage area) Site larger than 1000sq.m. Paul Abela Tal-Arznu Maghtab Site larger than 1000sq.m Polidano Brothers Located in Polidano Plant in Hal Farrugia Located in area of containment where fuel stations are allowed over 1000sq.m limit Emmanuel Falzon Triq Villabate Zabbar Over 1000sq.m limit and site is not committed by previous permits Neil Buhagiar Proposed extension of existing petrol station next to Hompesch Gate, Zabbar Over 1000sq.m limit and encroaches rural area PENDING APPEALS Paul Falzon Triq tal-Balal Iklin Site larger than 1,000sq.m Paul Vella Tal-Blata l-Gholja, Mosta Site larger than 1,000sq.m