Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/449474
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 21 JANUARY 2015 6 JAMES DEBONO A large traffic island consisting of a playing field and a car park in San Gwann in Triq Birkirkara, opposite the Malta Independent newspaper, is set to host a petrol station relocated from the oppo- site kerbside. Moreover a condition in a pre- liminary permit issued in 2010 stating that a new roundabout should be constructed before the new petrol station starts operat- ing, has been removed following consultation with Transport Mal- ta last year. The condition was previously imposed by MEPA on the basis of advice by Transport Malta. The relocation itself is meant to address safety concerns associ- ated with kerbside pumps, which lack adequate storage facilities. A final decision on the project is ex- pected tomorrow. The petrol station will be relo- cated to an area between the road leading to San Gwann and that go- ing towards Sliema. A preliminary outline permit for a petrol station on the same site was issued in 2010 on con- dition that a roundabout is first developed to ensure that "the sur- rounding road network functions properly". The permit clearly stated "the roundabout must be in place and functioning before the operation of the petrol station commences". This condition has now been removed following consultation with Transport Malta last July. A children's playing field awk- wardly located in the middle of a busy traffic area was originally financed through MEPA's own Ur- ban Improvement Fund. The play- ing field has been left in disrepair for the past few years. The actual petrol pump will be built over the area presently used as a car park but its development will inevitably result in the loss of the playing field due to its proxim- ity to the new petrol station. The proposal includes car-wash- ing facilities for two cars, four fuel pumps and a service station. Eight cars will be serviced and will be able to fill up simultaneously. In an objection presented to MEPA in September Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar had described the transfer of public property to a private enterprise as "an absolute violation of the rule of law". "The land does not belong to the developer and therefore it is be- ing granted in violation of fair and equal competition against other law abiding business." FAA called for an upgrading of this public space instead of its eradication. MEPA has replied to this ob- jection, insisting that the " lease agreement between the state and the applicant is not a planning consideration." MEPA described the area as "more of a car park " than a playing field and claimed that "its loss is minor" compared to the environ- mental advantages of relocating the kerbside pump, which is lo- cated opposite the new site. A letter has also been submitted by one of the owners of the exist- ing petrol pump, claiming that the applicant is not the owner of the pump. The owner of the premises is contesting the permit. The legal letter sent to MEPA objecting to the permit states that the reloca- tion of the petrol pump has not been endorsed by the landowner. The outline permit specifically ruled out "the retail sale of goods" on the same site. This condition is now being removed. Moreover despite the restriction of any building to one storey, the case officer report states that a 6.8 metre high canopy-over is accept- able. Finally while the outline permit specified that the decommission- ing plan for the existing petrol sta- tion must be submitted before the full permit is issued, according to the Planning Directorate this plan can be submitted at a later stage. News Kerbside petrol pump to be re-located to centre strip PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD