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8 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 22 JANUARY 2014 New social housing plan to utilise empty households JAMES J. PISCOPO THE Housing Authority has launched a request for proposals for the development of social housing where sites are already covered by planning permits, in a bid to address the long waiting list for social housing which currently amounts to 3,300 applications. Addressing the media, Social Solidarity Minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said that proposals will also be welcomed for the regeneration of current sites which fall under the Housing Authority's remit, and the identification of empty households to be used for social housing. "We are looking for the private sector to come up with innovative ideas that will address the waiting list problem, but also offers affordable accommodation. We also intend to give the opportunity to young couples who are not in a position to buy property, to acquire these at an affordable price," Coleiro Preca said. She underlined the difficulty of introducing innovation into a sector where the Housing Authority's coffers were already in the red. "Innovative measures and creativity were not often used under the previous administration. The past government carelessly rented out 400 apartments at very high prices for 10 years. We are still paying around €300 per apartment on a monthly basis. Ensuring the Author- ity's sustainability is a must. We cannot be irresponsible in dealing with the taxpayers' money." The minister remarked how the dire financial situation of the Housing Authority was also down to the lack of long-term planning and adequate policies. As a result, the new administration sought how to make the best possible use of the Authority's assets and will now commence the implementation of a strategic review. She said that her ministry's approach did not stop at providing social housing, but also to tackle the root cause. The request for proposals will be received until 21st February. jpiscopo@mediatoday.com.mt Marie Louise Coleiro Preca Ghaxaq fireworks factory decision postponed New policy invoked to postpone Ghaxaq fireworks factory decision JAMES DEBONO THE Malta Environment and Planning Authority has postponed any decision on a new Outside Development Zone fireworks factory proposed in Ghaxaq after the developers invoked a legal notice which enables them to seek a postponement in view of the new policy on firework factories being drafted by government. The Ghaxaq application was heading towards refusal in view of a case officer report calling on MEPA to turn down the application. A legal notice issued last year gives developers the right to seek a postponement of a year whenever a new policy affecting a proposed development comes in place. A committee chaired by pyrotechnics organisation legal representative Michael Falzon is currently drafting a new policy on the fireworks factory. A draft of the new policy on fireworks will pave the way to the construction of firework factories in rural conservation areas, areas of high landscape value and even buffer zones to Natura 2000 sites and archaeological zones. The only areas excluded from the development of new fireworks fac- tories are those enjoying the highest levels of protection namely Areas of Ecological Importance (Levels 1 and 2); Sites of Scientific Importance (Levels 1 and 2) or Areas or Sites of Archaeological Importance (including a buffer zone under Class A and B), Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. Enemalta is objecting to the development of a fireworks factory in TalHbula in Ghaxaq due to it proximity to its 33KV overhead infrastructure. Moreover, Heritage bodies have alerted MEPA on the proximity of the development to a number of historical monuments. The proposed development consists of 13 rooms, a reservoir and a number of walls covering 795 square metres of land and lies 200 meters away from the Santu Kristu Chapel and 220 meters away from the Santa Lucija Chapel. MEPA's Heritage Planning Unit expressed concern on the impact of the development on these historical landmarks in the event of an accident. In its report calling on the MEPA board to turn down the application, the Planning Directorate notes that MEPA is still formulating its policy on firework development. Presently ODZ fire factories are assessed according to the same policies and local plans applying to other developments. While noting that these developments cannot be located within development zones, the Planning Directorate deemed the proposed development as "premature". The Environmental Protection Directorate also objected to the loss of agricultural land and noted that Ghaxaq already has a fireworks factory. The Ghaxaq local council has also objected to the application. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Nature Trust calls for more green wardens NATURE Trust has expressed concern at the increase of illegal dumping by irresponsible people in the Maltese countryside. Only last year, Nature Trust with the help of various other individuals and institutions cleaned over 5,000kgs of waste from various localities such as Pembroke Ranges, Xrobb lGhagin near St Paul's Battery, Marsascala, and il-Ballut in Marsaxlokk. "Despite all this effort many of the sites are again witnessing illegal dumping yet again. In Pembroke alone an area that was cleaned only weeks ago is again housing dumped material in the same area," Nature Trust executive president Vince Attard said. Attard said this was an insult to those that gave their time to improve the countryside and make it look cleaner. "Such dumping is damaging our fragile environment which is already under a lot of stress from illegal development, over development, pollution and al- ien species. While we are fully committed to conserving Malta's natural heritage as this is of benefit to the economy due to eco-tourism and offer clean, green open spaces for the Maltese to enjoy, it also hopes that the authorities will do likewise and act." Attard called on the national authorities to deploy green wardens as soon as possible in such places so as to fine these irresponsible individuals. "We feel that fines originating from such illegal activities should go towards an environmental fund that can then be used to conserve ecological sites to be enjoyed by all. "Malta is today a developed country and a member of the European Union. We should be proud of our natural heritage and identity. "Such illegal activities make the Maltese countryside look like a Third World country and all this because of the irresponsible few who seem to get away with such damaging deeds." YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt

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