Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1474369
NEWS 16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 JULY 2022 JAMES DEBONO A new policy is being drafted by the Planning Authority with the aim of finding 'suitable loca- tions' for stand-alone cremation facilities which are not part of an existing cemetery. A 2015 policy had approved extending existing cemeteries, outside development zones, but banned the creation of new cem- eteries. The existing policy already refers to "alternative funerary techniques" like cremation, say- ing these can be accommodated inside an cemetery or premises, as long as they are in conform- ity with development plans. This effectively excluded the erection of cremation facilities outside the building zones if these were not part of an existing cemetery. But the Planning Authority has now been requested by the government to initiate a re- view of the Cemeteries Policy and Design Guidance (2015), in the wake of the approval of the Cremation Act in 2019. "Gov- ernment is of the opinion that, following the enactment of the Cremation Act, the develop- ment of standalone crematoria, including additional facilities for the internment of ashes and other supporting infrastructure, should be afforded favourable consideration." The policy sets out design cri- teria for such facilities. In 2021, Johann Camilleri's Active Group Ltd proposed a crematorium on a 7,600sq.m plot of agricultural land, to the south of the Addol- orata cemetery. The area, known as tal-Ħorr, is outside develop- ment zones, designated as an area of high landscape value and a strategic open gap between ur- ban areas. The Paola local council had objected to the development, describing it "premature" due to the absence of regulations and standards for a crematorium. In 2010, Luqa Developments – owned by former Lorry Sant aide Liju Camilleri – had proposed a cremation facility at a new cem- etery in Tal-Rmiedi, on derelict agricultural land between At- tard and Rabat. The 2015 policy banned ODZ cemeteries and the proposal was dropped; a bid to have the same land turned into a petrol station, was unsuccessful. The public has until August 31 to give its submissions on the policy update. Crematoria can be outside cemeteries, in policy review