Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1508472
NEWS 9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 SEPTEMBER 2023 Drag racing track upgrade should respect residents, Birzebbuga Heritage NGO says JAMES DEBONO A Birżebbuġa heritage NGO wants any development on the drag racing track in Hal Far to be restricted to the existing site and include sound barriers. Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa was reacting to an ap- plication filed by the Malta Mo- torsport Federation to upgrade the track knowns as the Kwart ta' Mil. The federation wants to im- prove the standard of the 100,000sq.m track to be able to host international events. But apart from the upgrad- ing proposal for the drag rac- ing track, the federation is also fronting an application for the development of a new race cir- cuit track on 82,900sq.m of gov- ernment-owned industrial land. However, this application is cur- rently being revised to include a further 20,000sq.m of land allo- cated by the government. The federation wants to create a motorsport hub at Hal Far, which currently hosts the drag racing track and a go-karting facility. Both applications are being pro- posed on brownfield sites and do not directly impact on the natural environment, but concerns have been expressed on noise and light pollution. The Environment and Resourc- es Authority has called for noise and light studies to assess the impact of the new racing track on nearby Natura 2000 sites but called for no further studies to as- sess the impact of the works pro- posed on the drag racing track, noting that the site is already used for this purpose. Speaking to MaltaToday last month, federation president Duncan Micallef had announced that a new masterplan for the motorsport hub will be published later this year after the govern- ment allocated more land for the project. While the motorsport applica- tion is still at the initial screening stage the application to upgrade the kwart ta' mil track is already being assessed by a case officer. The application refers to the demolition and reconstruction of spectator stands with underlying ancillary facilities including san- itary facilities and a retail shop and a four storey development set to host stores, offices, two ca- tering establishments and a hall. Noise pollution concerns On its part the Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa which last year had spearheaded a campaign against the relocation of a model aircraft track in close vicinity to a protected Natura 2000 site has made it clear that they have noth- ing against those practicing their hobby in the existing drag racing track. "We find no objection to motor- sport hobbyists continue practic- ing their hobby in the same way as they have done till the present day. But there should be greater respect for residents who live in the area." The organisation also expressed its concern that the proposed up- grade and extension of the drag racing track to host internation- al events, could increase noise levels and light pollution during organised events. They also not- ed that apart from the impact on residents in nearby towns and vil- lages increased noise levels would also impact residents of the near- by Hal Far open centre. In view of these problems the organisation insists that the race- track should not be extended be- yond its current area and that the area is enclosed by noise barriers which should be given priority over the commercial develop- ments envisaged in the applica- tion. The organisation is also calling for the imposition of clear noise limits in a way that motorcars ex- ceeding these levels are automat- ically excluded from the track. Moreover, the organisation is insisting that noise measuring equipment is installed and that live results are made accessible to the Żurrieq, Ħal Safi and Birżeb- buġa local councils. All light installed on the track should be of the 'total cut off' type in a way that would not beam into the sky, and lighting is restricted to areas where it is really needed. The NGO is also calling for studies on the traffic impact of the development noting that the Ħal Far road which consists of a 'single lane', is vital for the entry and exit of cars from the locality which should not be hindered by increased traffic during big events. Development likely to uncover historical remains The Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa has also warned that works in the area may uncover historical remains, related to the British era airfield and nearby prehistoric remains which in- clude two neolithic menhirs lo- cated in the immediate vicinity of the track. But this issue is already being addressed by the Superintend- ence for Cultural Heritage which has reminded the applicants that the site is archaeologically sen- sitive, with several discoveries made in the area. It warned them that ground disturbance may uncover cul- tural heritage features that may necessitate amendments to the proposed plans. But the Superintendence also declared that it is not opposed to the proposed development, and it will be inspecting the site which overlaps with the former Hal Far airfield "to get a better understanding of the surround- ing context in view of proposed structures". BirdLife insists on one assess- ment for both applications Birdlife Malta which is con- cerned on the impact the projects on bird colonies in the coastal cliffs and nearby Natura 2000 sites, is objecting to the separate assessment of the two proposals. The bird conservation group is insisting that both the upgrade of Kwart ta' Mil and the application to construct the new hub should be assessed holistically. "Such combined development should be studied altogether to define the environmental im- pacts and work out a set of fea- sible mitigation measures which would take into account cumula- tive pressures," BirdLife said in a submission to the PA. The organisation noted that the drag racing track is located just 120m from the Natura 2000 site, which makes it even nearer to protected areas than the pro- posed circuit which would be around 600m away.