Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/659044
6 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 30 MARCH 2016 News JAMES DEBONO A "shortage of modern petrol sta- tions" is being invoked as a jus- tification for a brand new 2,900 square metre ODZ petrol station off Triq Burmarrad, opposite the former Farmers's Wine winery which is now being transformed into a retail outlet. The proposed development will include a car wash and drying areas, a fuel dispensing and un- loading area, an LPG fuel area, an ATM, an electric vehicle charging area and a retail area, as well as car parking facilities for clients mak- ing use of the retail area. The project also includes three canopies which vary in height from 4.2m to 5.75m. The area lies within an Area of Agricultural Value designated by the North West Local Plan and most of the surrounding area consists of agri- cultural fields. An Environmental Planning Statement (EPS) commissioned by the developers refers to the "short- age of modern fuel stations in the location' and the need to "cater for the demand of fuel due to the ever increasing number of vehicles on the roads". The same study reveals that at the end of 2013 there were 85 fuel stations. The number of licensed stations decreased from 91 to 76 between 2011 and 2012, only to go up to 85 a year later. But the EPS claims that since the number of vehicles on the island has increased by almost 100,000 in the last 14 years, additional fuel stations equipped with essential modern facilities, such as car wash and valeting services are needed. According to the study Bonnici fuel station is found about 670m to the south along the same street within the village core of Burmar- rad. Another two fuel stations (Dad's and Nick's fuel stations) are found opposite each other around 500m north of the proposed site on Mosta Road. The proposed development will consist of an entirely new ODZ petrol station and not the re-lo- cation of an existing one from an urban area. This is because the new policy on petrol stations also allows brand new 3,000 square metre large petrol stations on sites adja- cent or opposite industrial areas. The original Fuel Stations Policy draft issued in April 2014 made no reference to development adjacent or opposite to industrial areas, and only allowed petrol stations relocated from urban areas to set up new petrol stations in rural ODZ areas. But the criteria for petrol sta- tions sited outside development zones (ODZ) were further relaxed in the final policy document ap- proved in March. "Some of the submissions and a number of meetings with individ- uals suggested a widening of the opportunities for locating fuel sta- tions," a spokesperson for MEPA told MaltaToday in March 2015. Petrol station proposed next to WWII pillbox The new petrol station is being proposed just two to five metres from a historical World War II pillbox in an adjacent farm at Bur- marrad. According to an Environmental Impact Statement commissioned by the developers, the pillbox is the only historical structure which could be "directly impact- ed" as a result of the excavation and construction works on this site. The EPS states that "in order to ensure that the historical struc- ture is not jeopardized" by such works "preventive measures need to be undertaken" and the perim- eter wall and soil found in the ad- jacent field are not to be moved. The soil has already been cleared to enable the developers to con- duct an archaeological survey re- quested in the 'terms of reference' for an environment impact assess- ment, which was carried out in August 2015. The archaeological investiga- tions supervised by the Superin- tendence for Cultural Heritage did not yield any discoveries on site. According to the terms of refer- ence the soil was to remain stored on site "for possible reinstate- ment" once the investigation is completed. Until recently the abandoned ag- ricultural area was covered with wild flowers and patches of wheat and cereal, probably originating from seeds left over from previous cultivation or carried by the wind from neighbouring fields. The Environment Protection Directorate had already objected to the proposed development, in- sisting that even an EIA would not do away with the fact that any de- velopment on this site was "objec- tionable from environmental and land use planning points of view". The EPS reveals that the devel- opment will have a marked impact on the panoramic view from Triq l-Imdawra. The petrol station will also be partially visible from Triq Burmarrad. Although the devel- opment will be partly covered by an existing rubble wall the upper parts of the station will be visible. The petrol station will be partly hidden by various existing trees found along Triq Burmarrad. From real estate to petrol stations The development planning ap- plication was submitted by Joseph Attard, the applicant, on behalf of Construction and Turnkey House Ltd. Construction & Turnkey House Ltd have been involved in the construction and real estate industry since 2001. According to the EPS the company has lately decided to restructure and diver- sify its interests by investing in a fuel station. Attard is also the owner of Sun- joy company, which he co-owns together with parliamentary sec- retary Chris Agius. Petrol station 'shortage' invoked to justify new ODZ fuel pumps Bormla campus traffic could harm quality of life, MEPA warned TIM DIACONO THE construction of the 'American Institute of Malta' in Cospicua could pose a threat to the residents' quality of life, a research company has warned. Anna Spiteri, managing direc- tor of the Grand Harbour-based Integrated Resources Manage- ment company (IRMco) told MEPA chairman Vince Cassar that the institute is likely to generate heavy traffic. "Thousands of newcomers plus their cars will also bring with them a negative impact on our open spaces," she said. "It will require new roads to be built or current ones to be wid- ened, and the accompanying car parks will end up encroaching on our open spaces and quality of life." However, Cassar later told MaltaToday that the controver- sial project would not necessar- ily generate traffic. "It will attract foreign students who mightn't buy a car," he said. "A traffic impact assessment will be conducted eventually, but it is too early to tell as MEPA has yet to receive a development application [from Sadeen]." Anna Spiteri was addressing a press conference at Verdala Palace along with Cassar and President Marie-Loise Coleiro, during which her company pre- sented proposals to MEPA to safeguard the green and blue ar- eas around the Grand Harbour. She called on the planning au- thority to list all the blue and green spaces around the Grand Harbour in the forthcoming lo- cal plans as protected spaces for the well-being of society. "MEPA should uphold the public's right to safely access and enjoy these green and blue open spaces at all times," she said. "It must also acknowledge that the open spaces, includ- ing the agricultural areas in the vicinity, are carbon sinks that therefore play an important role for our well-being and in Mal- ta's climate change mitigation." In a document issued to the press, Spiteri warned that the ferry service from Valletta to Senglea has recently been stopped "to make way for other commercial interests". "We are getting the message that, once again, decisions are being made on our quays and promenades that will not have the best interests of the local residents or the local moor- ing associations at heart," she wrote. She also said that the govern- ment's decision last summer to partially site the campus in Cospicua came in the midst of discussions by IMRco with stakeholders on how to opti- mise Dock One and the sur- rounding area for the benefit of the community. "After centuries of anchoring our boats, swimming and play- ing waterpolo, rights over the use of the sea was given over to the Birgu waterfront, and we now have to pay to anchor our boats in the creek and no longer have any rights to play water- polo in our own sea." Research company claims Senglea ferry service has been shut down to make way for 'commercial interests' The area on the Burmarrad Road where the new petrol station would be built