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News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 5 MARCH 2014 Environment Directorate against approval of Mosta fuel station JAMES DEBONO AN application of the develop- ment of a fuel filling station at Tal-Blata l-Għolja (Mosta), on a site that lies outside development zones (ODZ) should be refused, according to the Environment Protection Directorate within the Malta Environment and Planning Authorit y. The site is located within a Ru- ral Conservation Area but is cur- rently used as a contractor's yard for the storage and maintenance of heav y vehicles. The license for the fuel filling station will be transferred from a kerb-side pump located in Triq Marina, Pietà. The EPD notes the absence of a comprehensive policy framework that regulates the development of petrol/fuel stations and sets a limit as to how many such stations are really justified. MEPA is currently drafting a policy regulating fuel stations in ODZ areas. "In this regard, the EPD consid- ers the proposed development as premature and objects to further open-ended or ad hoc commit- ments for new or extended petrol station developments ODZ." While acknowledging that the relocation of an existing kerb- side pump away from an inhabited urban area may be beneficial, ac- cording to the EPD this justifica- tion is being overstretched since the proposal extends way beyond simple relocation ' like with like', and in practice also entails a sub- stantial enlargement of the facil- it y as well as the inclusion of ad- ditional development. The proposed fuel filling station will cover a total site area of 3,931 square metres. The rest of the site (6,105 square metres) will retain its current use of a dry storage and contractors yard. This area will be cleaned, landscaped and repaved to ensure an impervious surface. The site lies above the mean sea level aquifer and within the con- fines of the Groundwater Protec- tion Zone. According to the Central Malta Local Plan (CG 29), the site falls within the Protected Area of Hy- drological Importance. The Wied ta' l-Isperanza watercourse is found 400 metres to the northwest of the site. The Wied l-Isperanza Pumping Station lies c.750m from the pro- posed development site. A gallery, part of Ta' Qali Pumping Station, is found at a distance of around 150 metres to the west of the site approximately 100 metres below ground level. The present site itself is de- scribed as an eyesore and does not blend in well with the surround- ing area. The fuel filling station will be constructed above ground level together with a shop and office from where to administer the site. Adequate landscaping is being proposed to mitigate against such an impact. An application of the development of a fuel filling station at Tal-Blata l-Gholja (Mosta), on a site that lies outside development zones (ODZ) should be refused, according to the Environment Protection Directorate in MEPA PAGE 1 "I never aspired to become a President… I feel small before you with this huge responsibility" were the words uttered by Marie Louise Coleiro Preca as she turned to ad- dress the press. Coleiro Preca will be the second female president and the sixth nominee emerging from the La- bour Party since Malta became a Republic in 1974. She was initially reluctant to resign from her post as Social Policy Minister and many of her political canvassers have ex- pressed dismay at the decision. But the minister reassured that "nobody has lost her". "My aspiration was and will al- ways be to be close to the people, to serve them. Everyone knows I'm not one for ceremonies… but now it's time to look forward. I want to be a catalyst, to see this coun- try united. We are a very small country and our values should be at the heart of our daily mission," she said. Coleiro Preca said such values would be ref lected by putting aside political alliances and work as one nation to help the weaker members of society. In her first appeal as Presidential designate, the minister said she wanted to push high on the coun- try's agenda the voluntary sector. She took umbrage at media spec- ulation which suggested that the Civil Unions Bill risked not being signed if she is made President. "This speculation doesn't make sense to me, especially since I nev- er spoke against this issue and was part of the Cabinet when the mat- ter was approved," she said. Coleiro Preca vows to remain close to the people PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Marie Louise Coleiro Preca: "My aspiration was and will always be to be close to the people, to serve them"

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