Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543384
A planning application has been submitted for a crematorium and columbarium complex on agricultural land next to the long-abandoned Ta' Brija ceme- tery in Siġġiewi's outskirts. THE project, put forward by funeral undertaker Mark Tonna, covers approximate- ly 11,615sq.m and includes the previously approved cemetery extension. The area is outside the development zones (ODZ). Plans indicate a crematorium, mortuary, chapel, 54 colum- barium units, landscaped areas including a 2,059sq.m formal garden, grass-block paving, con- crete pavement, and 'smooth' concrete surfacing. Half the site overlaps with the land already approved for cem- etery use, while the remainder lies in rural terrain roughly 800 metres from the nearest devel- opment zone boundary. While a recently approved poli- cy excludes standalone cremato- ria in rural areas, it still includes a planning loophole for crema- toria proposed as extensions of existing cemeteries. Planning policy and crematoria According to policy, stand- alone facilities must be outside development zones but within a limited distance of Malta's main urban areas to remain accessi- ble. It specifically states that any standalone crematoria which are not part of an existing cem- etery must be within 1.5km of the Principal Urban Area (PUA) boundary, which covers inner/ outer harbour areas. It must avoid ecologically sen- sitive areas, groundwater pro- tection zones, valley systems, and require environmental health clearance. Where agricul- tural land is involved, proposals must be assessed for soil quality and agricultural value. However, the policy allows crematoria adjacent to existing cemeteries, but in such cases the crematoria proposal must abide with the policy regulating cemetery extensions. These are allowed in ODZ areas but appli- cants have to demonstrate that the extension will not have neg- ative environmental or heritage impacts. Documentation related to a previous application to extend the existing cemetery states that the site forms part of a proposed Area of Ecological Importance and of a proposed Area of High Landscape Value which includes the environs of Girgenti. ERA objects to proposal in sen- sitive location The Environment and Re- sources Authority (ERA) has al- ready raised concerns about the scale of the interventions, noting that formal gardens, paved are- as, and multiple buildings risk urbanising a "sensitive" rural landscape. The Agricultural Advisory Committee has objected in prin- ciple to non-agricultural devel- opment on ODZ land, although it recognises that crematoria may require rural locations due to distance from residences. An agronomic assessment of the land has been requested to in- form the committee's review. The Superintendence for Cul- tural Heritage has noted that the proposal is being made "within a prominent rural landscape," and has asked for photomontages to assess the impact on the land- scape. Heritage authorities have em- phasised that the site lies with- in an archaeologically sensitive landscape with documented tombs in the immediate vicini- ty. Any works would require ar- chaeological monitoring under supervision. 2020 cemetery extension approval The cemetery extension, ap- proved in September 2020, au- thorised 150 graves on four tiers, a praying room, sanitary facili- ties, landscaping, a 3,120 cubic metre underground reservoir, and four parking spaces. The ap- plication was presented by pri- vate developer Paul Gauci. The original 2006 proposal had envisaged 375 graves over more than 5,000sq.m, but was reduced to 3,458sq.m following planning scrutiny. Approval was granted on the basis that it restored the historic Ta' Brija Cemetery and aligned with policies permitting ceme- tery extensions where existing burial capacity is exhausted. By approving the extension, the Planning Authority had over ruled ERA. ERA had warned that the reactivation of an abandoned cemetery did not justify an ex- cessive development in the open countryside. A risk assessment pointed out that even though leaching of substances from the interred bodies cannot be completely excluded, it is unlikely that sub- stances will affect the food chain. The assessment made refer- ence to the Ta' Bakkja galleries that lie just 150m downstream of the current Siġġiewi cemetery. The WSC and the regulatory authorities did not identify any traces of contamination in these galleries close to the cemetery currently in use. The historical Ta Brija cemetery The site includes the historic Ta' Brija Cemetery, established in 1623 during a plague outbreak under the Knights of St John and later reused under the British administration. Plague victims were interred here outside populated areas, protected by a high perimeter wall to prevent contagion. The cemetery is enclosed by 1.5-metre-high ashlar limestone walls and has a single arched en- trance. The cemetery was also used during the plague of 1813 when an extra layer of ashlar stone was added to increase the height of the perimeter wall. No graves were used as the dead were buried in a common grave. Although overgrown and abandoned, the structure is largely intact and requires minor restoration. 12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 FEBUARY 2026 NEWS COURT NOTICE The Registrar of Civil Courts and Tribunals informs that the Civil Court, First Hall ordered the following sales by auction: Date Time Judicial Sale No Place Items 09 th March, 2026 11.00am 3/26 – AZ Melita Power Diesel Limited (C23376) Vs Dr Ilona Schembri et noe Room number 78 nearby the Archives, Level -1, Courts of Justice, Republic Street, Valletta Vessel named Epicurean, with official number 13272, registered in Malta, with Call Sign 9HB2199, gross tonnage of 101, length of 29.63 meters and built in 1992. 11 th March, 2026 11.00am 5/25 – EM Zammit Leasing and Investments Limited (C 37945) previously J. Zammit Limited Vs Saliba Matthew (ID 136288M) J & J Boatyard, limits of tal-Għadmija, Mqabba Vehicle of the make BMW 535D white in colour with the registration number CLR 874. 25 th March, 2026 11.00am 4/25 – KRZ Chetcuti Carmelo (ID 805253M) Vs Attard Jeffrey (ID 428673M) Room number 78 nearby the Archives, Level -1, Courts of Justice, Republic Street, Valletta 20,000 ordinary shares in the company Lara Investment Limited with the registration number C24441 valued at €35.40 every share. Further details can be obtained from the website: https://ecourts.gov.mt/onlineservices/JudicialSales The bidders taking part in the auction must present their identity card Gaetana Aquilina For the Registrar Civil Courts and Tribunals Crematorium proposed in Siggiewi outskirts JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Above: The entrance to the historic Ta' Brija Cemetery in the outskirts of Siggiewi, where an extension to the cemetery was approved in 2020 and a new application proposes the construction of a crematorium Left: Aerial view showing the location (red marker) of the proposed extension on agricultural land to house a crematorium