Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1367395
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 MAY 2021 NEWS JAMES DEBONO A new planning application has been presented proposing a phased restoration of a disused quarry in Wied Għomor for an 8,341sq.m warehousing facility for non-hazardous, white goods waste. The application excludes the storage of domestic organic waste. A proposed old people's home had already been rejected by the Planning Authority in 2016 fol- lowing strong objections by res- idents and local councils. The development, as proposed by quarry owner Lawrence Galea in plans submitted by ar- chitect Charles Buhagiar, also foresees the erection of solar panels on the roof of the ware- houses, the excavation of the re- maining hardstone material and the backfilling of the quarry. The quarry lies directly within the watercourse and valley sides of Wied Għomor, an environ- mentally sensitive area charac- terised by maquis communities, a number of terraced fields and rural features. The valley slopes also have a significant aesthetic value and are of scientific importance in terms of hydrogeology and geo- morphology. This valley system is scheduled as an Area of Eco- logical Importance and Site of Scientific Importance. In its first reaction to the proposed development, the Environment and Resources Authority has welcomed the proposed backfilling of the quarry but expressed concern on the proposed after-use of the backfilled site as a waste storage facility, especially since parts of the site will be concreted to cre- ate a surface level whereby the storage structures can be erect- ed. ERA warned that the con- struction of the storage facility will result in site formalisation and proliferation of built de- velopment in land that is both scheduled and outside the de- velopment zone. Apart from creating direct impacts through the obliteration of degraded land, which can be restored back to its natural state, it may also create other related cumu- lative impacts from waste stor- age activities. Moreover part of the site where the proposed warehouses will be developed hosts protect- ed habitats and protected trees. "This area will be obliterated by the proposed warehouse de- velopment and is therefore of concern from an environmental point of view." ERA also warned of the pres- ence of joints, fractures and a relatively friable weathered lithology especially in the up- per limits at the quarry's walls which may impact on its sta- bility. "Improper compaction methods may lead to unstable ground, landslides, liquefaction or cave-ins in the future." Waste storage plant proposed in Wied Ghomor valley the Environment and Resources Authority has welcomed the proposed backfilling of the quarry but expressed concern on the proposed after-use of the backfilled site as a waste storage facility