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MALTATODAY 7 July 2019

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11 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 JULY 2019 JAMES DEBONO THE fate of a massive petrol station, controversially sited outside development zones in Maghtab, will be decided on 18 July after a tortuous plan- ning saga. The Planning Authority's appeals tribunal (EPRT) had already revoked two planning board decisions, acting on the case officers' recommended approval. In 2016, the PA board re- fused the permit for being in breach of the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Devel- opment (SPED). But the EPRT overturned the refusal, arguing that the board failed to explain why SPED policies protecting the rural environment should take precedence over the fuel stations policy which allow ur- ban pumps to be relocated to ODZ rural areas. That permit was brought back to the board in Decem- ber 2017, with board members first indicating they would be refusing it, only to then vote in favour in January 2018. But in April the permit was revoked again by the tribu- nal for procedural reasons brought up in an appeal pre- sented by residents, namely the PA's failure to upload documents before the decision was taken. Abel Energy's Paul Abela wants to demolish two derelict farmhouses over the proposed 3,500sq.m site on a Salina road intersection near the Alla W Ommu hill. The mega fuel sta- tion will include a car-wash, mechanic, shop, stores and a 17-car parking lot. The area is, however, des- ignated by the local plan as a rural category settlement whose rural character has to be preserved. Objectors insist this policy overrules the 2015 policy allowing the relocation of urban pumps. The Maghtab decision will be the first to be taken since the draft revision of the maligned fuel policy rules. The new rules propose prohibiting petrol sta- tions on agricultural land, and limits ODZ petrol stations to 1,000sq.m, while ruling out ap- proval of new developments. But the policy was issued for public consultation two months ago, and has yet to be approved by government. Moviment Graffitti, which led the campaign to change the permissive policy, say deci- sions on pending applications should be postponed pending the approval of the new policy. Opening hours for Primary School Libraries during the Aqra fis-Sajf 2019 Campaign Primary school libraries will open between the 15 th July and the 6 th September 2019 from 08:30 un l 12:30, as per table below. The borrowing of books is only available to students who a end these schools. However, a number of public libraries will also offer extended summer opening hours. For addi onal informa on visit the Malta Libraries website, www.maltalibraries.gov.mt School College Day Baħrija Primary St Nicholas Wednesdays Cospicua Primary St Margaret Thursdays Fgura Primary A St Thomas More Mondays and Wednesdays Marsaxlokk Primary St Thomas More Wednesdays Mellieħa Primary Maria Reġina Mondays and Thursdays Pembroke Primary St Clare Wednesdays Qormi Saint Sebas an Primary St Igna us Mondays and Wednesdays Ta' Sannat Primary Gozo Tuesdays and Thursdays from 09:00 un l 12:00 Senglea Primary St Margaret Tuesdays and Thursdays Valle a Primary St George Preca Wednesdays Victoria Primary Gozo Mondays and Tuesdays Vi oriosa Primary St Margaret Wednesdays Żurrieq Primary St Benedict Mondays and Wednesdays For further informa on about the Aqra fis-Sajf campaign visit the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/aqrafissajf/ or call 2598 2992. For more information call 2290 8001 The Building and Construction REFORM Online access to all information about the methods of excavation and demolition SAFETY; RESPONSIBILITY; TRANSPARENCY Fourth decision on Maghtab fuel station Abel Energy's Paul Abela wants to demolish two derelict farmhouses over the proposed 3,500sq.m site on a Salina road intersection near the Alla W Ommu hill. The mega fuel station will include a car-wash, mechanic, shop, stores and a 17-car parking lot

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