Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1331044
4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 20 JANUARY 2021 NEWS Construction in Malta registered third highest growth in EU KURT SANSONE CONSTRUCTION in Malta ex- perienced the third largest growth in production across the EU in the third quarter of 2020, figures out yesterday showed. The industry grew by 4.3% be- tween July and September 2020 when compared to the same quarter the previous year, ac- cording to Eurostat, the Europe- an statistical agency. Malta is one of only six EU coun- tries where construction did not contract but registered year-on- year growth in the third quarter. The member state with the highest growth was Romania with 15%, followed by Croatia with 4.4%. Eurostat said that Malta's con- struction industry grew by 6.9% in the third quarter of 2020 when compared to the previous quar- ter. Stamp duty on the sale of prop- erty was cut last year as part of the economic recovery package. The move helped stimulate the sector and preliminary data for October released by the Malta Developers Association showed that 1,551 promise of sales were registered with a total sales value of €371 million. The sales in October represent- ed an increase of 21% over the same month a year earlier Zoo animals could get noisy neighbours with Siggiewi shooting range JAMES DEBONO A backfilled quarry of 11,000sq.m of land outside development zones in Sig- giewi is once again being ear- marked for the development of a massive shooting range, despite clear indications that it cannot be approved under present policies. The quarry lies in the im- mediate vicinity of the Arka ta' Noe zoo. As proposed, the develop- ment will include parking for 96 cars, the construction of a clubhouse for members, a classroom for tuition, a store and four shooting bays. A similar proposal was made in 2016 but withdrawn after the PA's planning direc- torate recommended refus- al for being in breach of the local plan, which stipulates that disused quarries should be converted back to agricul- tural use. The only difference be- tween the two applications being that originally the proposed car park catered for 73 cars. "In view that the majority of the quarry has been backfilled and used for agricultural purposes, the planning directorate cannot recommend the proposal," a case officer report presented in May 2019 had said. Aerial photos indicate that the site has not been used as a quarry for the past 20 years and parts of the site have been reclaimed by vegetation and agriculture. The Environmental and Re- sources Authority had also objected to the 2016 applica- tion, warning that the devel- opment of a shooting range would set a precedent for other developments in this particular area which will result in the take-up of more rural land for commercial us- es. "Other major illegal devel- opment interventions in the area have already adversely affected the visual amenity, environmental quality and character of this rural area." The Siggiewi local council had also objected, warning that the noise generated by the shooting range would have an adverse impact on a number of residences located less than 300m away. The application was pre- sented by landowner Antoine Vella and the plans are being formulated by architectural firm XYZ Limited. The PA is still formulating a policy regulating the devel- opment of shooting ranges. Objectives for the new policy issued in 2014 state that the "use of quarries and military installations" should be con- sidered for the development of shooting ranges. Malta- Today is informed that the approval of the policy is now imminent and this may be the reason why the applica- tion was presented yet again. In 2017, the PA had issued a permit to regularise the il- legally-developed Arka ta' Noe zoo despite the ERA's significant concerns that the zoo would result in foresee- able, future pressures for ex- tensions. Zoo owner Anton Cutajar has now applied to extend his zoo and regular- ise various illegal structures, including a farmhouse with a swimming pool, a large hall and a car park, apart from five animal enclosures.