Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1512911
AN organic waste processing plant at Maghtab is necessary due to the "expo- nential increase in the volume of organic waste" generated by the "continuously growing population". This is the justification given by techni- cal experts from the Environment and Re- sources Authority for a new organic waste processing plant. In the absence of this development, the growth in organic waste will lead to more landfills. The plant is being proposed by Was- teserv, a state agency. The new plant would reduce the volume of landfilled waste, thereby decreasing the need for additional land expropriation for landfilling. In a memo, the experts say utilising or- ganic waste as fuel is considered preferable to landfilling. The project is seen as a "net environmental benefit" and is considered a fundamental component in Malta's waste management strategy. A final decision by the ERA board is ex- pected during a public hearing scheduled for next Friday. It's important to note that ERA does not have the final say on the project, as it would still require a planning permit. The plant will be constructed on 20,600 sq.m of agricultural land in Maghtab, next to the approved incinerator, and is expect- ed to produce an annual 16,399 tonnes of compost. The facility is designed to accept a max- imum quantity of 74,300 tonnes a year of separated organic waste. The biogas produced from such an amount of waste could yield around 49,000,000kWh a year in energy. This is roughly equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 10,000 peo- ple. An Environmental Impact Study pub- lished in April identified some major ad- verse impacts, specifically related to land- scape character, visual amenity, and loss of agricultural land. However, the same report also highlighted major beneficial impacts, such as diverting organic waste from landfills and producing organic fer- tilizer that farmers can use. To counteract land take-up, the EIA rec- ommended the rehabilitation of an alter- native degraded area of equivalent size as a compensatory measure. Excavations for the new plant will result in the generation of 44,500 cubic metres of excavated ma- terial. Still, the ERA report notes that the excavated bedrock consists of material fit for re-use. ERA is also proposing that the soil removed from the site be temporarily stored on the site excavation for a reason- able timeframe until it is transferred to an alternative site. While acknowledging that photomon- tages show the project will result in a major visual intrusion, the area is already domi- nated by the massive landfill as a backdrop. One of the conditions set by ERA is the presentation of a detailed landscaping plan to be submitted within six months from the issuing of the development permit. ERA would have to approve the landscap- ing plan. Another condition excludes a new vehicular access to the plant, which is to be accessed from existing routes, name- ly the Coast Road and Triq ir-Ramla. A lighting plan is also to be presented to minimise light pollution, which could dis- turb wildlife in the neighbouring ecologi- cally sensitive areas. The new plant will also enable the gov- ernment to honour its commitment to close the recycling facility in Sant'Antnin, Marsaskala. But no mention is made of this added benefit in the ERA memo. 4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 DECEMBER 2023 NEWS CLAIRVOYANT Mr TOURE a Marabout clairvoyant medium healer and Exorcist with an exceptional gift. Specialising in disenchantment, voodoo protection against dangers, couple problems return of a loved one, impotence and sexual issues whatever the nature. Court cases. Tel: +35677484511 ERA set to approve new organic waste plant in Maghtab JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt THE Mellieha council is not object- ing to a zoning application for the development of land in il-Qortin leased by the government to a pri- vate developer. However, the council called for the retention of part of land in its natu- ral garigue state, something already proposed by the developer. The council's submission to the Planning Authority referred to a map presented by the developer, which divides the site into a 4,341 sq.m plot earmarked for residential development and a 919sq.m plot along Wesghat in-Narcis that the developers want to keep in its natu- ral state without landscaping. The development of this area was already envisaged in the local plan approved under a Nationalist gov- ernment in 2006. Still, it was the decision of the Labour government to transfer this plot of public land to private interests that ultimately made the proposed development possible. The zoning application was pre- sented by Paul Attard's T&S Prop- erty Holdings Limited. Until recent- ly, the land was government-owned but was then leased to the company for 15 years for a €400,000 price tag earlier this year. The council insists that the height of the proposed buildings should not exceed that of surrounding build- ings in the area. Landscaped spaces between the proposed blocks should be accessible only to pedestrians, thus blocked from the sides of Triq is-Sagħtar and Triq il-Miġbħa. Moreover, the council is against the development of retail outlets in the new development, as this could increase traffic in the area. The council also insists on the provision of enough parking spaces to cater for the new development and is against the application of a Planning Authority policy that allows devel- opers to pay a sum of money for any parking space they fail to provide. Over 70 residents have already objected to the zoning application, pointing out that this green area is home to a lot of flora and fauna. They argue that the proposal defies the government's policy to prior- itise the creation of green spaces, especially in an area that has been a constant construction site for the past 15 years. Nationalist MPs Ivan Castillo and Robert Cutajar and Labour MEP Cyrus Engerer had opposed the transfer of public land to the private developer, insisting that the land should be retained as a green space. Mellieha council does not object to Qortin land development JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt