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MT 5 March 2017

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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 MARCH 2017 10 News PAUL COCKS ENVIRONMENT Minister Jose Herrera announced yesterday he had set up an ad hoc board in the wake of a MaltaToday probe last December, to investigate the high percentage of cases in which out- side development zone (ODZ) ap- plications had been approved by the Planning Authority despite ob- jections by the Environment and Resources Authority. Herrera told MaltaToday that he had been "alarmed" by the find- ings, which revealed that the ERA had objected to 69% of ODZ ap- plications approved by the PA, and had immediately sought the agree- ment of both authorities to take part in a board "With the agreement of the PA and the ERA, I am appointing a ministerial board to investigate this problem and to report back to both authorities and to me as to why this inequality exists," he said. "The chairman of the PA's former Natural Heritage Advisory Com- mittee, Judge Joseph David Camill- eri, will be chairing this board." Herrera said the board would start with determining whether the ERA's objections were frivo- lous in nature or if the PA was ignoring the ERA's recommenda- tions capriciously. "The judge and his team will get back to me with recommenda- tions on what needs to be done to ensure greater streamlining in the system," he said. Herrera said that the number of applications – and therefore deci- sions – had increased after doing away with the DNO system, under which permits had not been re- quired for some types of develop- ment or irregularity. He said one would also need to consider the type of applications in question. "Very often, these applications are for minor changes and work," the minister. "But I think that, as a rule, the ERA's recommendations are accepted in major cases." The MaltaToday investigation had concluded that the ERA had been overruled by the dominant PA on 61 of its objections to the 88 planning permits for ODZ work over five weeks between 1 Novem- ber and 6 December. The vast majority of ODZ de- velopment approved consisted of minor developments such as the development of new agricultural stores, the regularisation of ille- gally built rural structures, the re- development or extension of farm- houses, and swimming pools and ancillary farm developments. The ERA, which was consulted over each of these applications, sent detailed memos on each case, in some of them objecting to the "piecemeal approach to develop- ment" which sees owners of farm- houses applying for more devel- opment once an initial permit is issued. During the same period, the PA turned down 37 of these ODZ ap- plications (30%). Bill amendment providing for ERA board chairman to be replaced when absent, 'in process' Minister Herrera confirmed that the ministry was working on amendments to existing legislation to allow someone to replace the chairman of the ERA on the Plan- ning Board, when the chairman was indisposed. ERA chairman Victor Axiaq did not attend a controversial Plan- ning Board meeting for medical reasons, and the ERA was not rep- resented on the day since the ex- isting legislation did not make any provisions for such instances. At the time, Axiak said after the board met, that he would not be making his views public for fear of prejudicing the ERA's decision, which has yet to decide whether to appeal the decision taken two weeks before by the Planning Board. The highly controversial meet- ing, at which the Sliema project was approved by a majority of just one, took place despite the board knowing that Axiak would be ab- sent due to health reasons. pcocks@mediatoday.com.mt JAMES DEBONO PLANS have been submitted to reactivate the use of a desalina- tion plant at Hondoq ir-Rummien, putting to an end plans to com- mercialise the facility for tourism purposes. The plant will produce 5,000 cu- bic metres of water on a daily basis, although it will also cause the dis- charge of backwash water into the nearby sea from an outfall. The building, located in Hondoq ir-Rummien, dates back to the late 1960s and today lies in a dilapi- dated state. The public property was in a state of disuse for years as private developers attempted to turn a nearby quarry into a tourist village, but failed amidst local op- position. Before the 2013 general elec- tion, Labour leader Joseph Muscat had proposed that the dilapidated building be replaced by new facili- ties, such as an indoor swimming pool using the same footprint. PL candidate Clint Camilleri had also suggested a restaurant and cafete- ria to complement the pool. But it now seems that pressing water scarcity issues have over- ruled plans to commercialise the space. Gozo is dependent for its potable water supply on groundwater ex- traction. Due to high nitrate levels and saline intrusion, groundwa- ter in Gozo is already treated in a polishing plant to a higher quality level and blended with the remain- ing unpolished groundwater. Rising demand for water from the agricultural and tourism sec- tors means that Gozo needs an al- ternative supply. The plant, already covering a site of 3,300 sq.m in a protected Natura 2000 site, will be repaired for its renewed use. The Environ- ment and Resources Authority has warned that the development may lead to possible impacts on the Special Area of Conservation, mainly due to possible disturbance of seabirds due to noise and light emissions. The environmental impact of the project will be assessed in an Ap- propriate Assessment (AA). The reverse osmosis plant is ex- pected to operate non-stop which means continuous substantial amount of noise will be generated from the machinery in use. The ERA has asked the Water Services Corporation to provide it with details of the effluent which will be generated by the plant. Studies will also assess the poten- tial impact of the release of briny water on Posidonia oceania mead- ows. Investigation launched into PA's refusals of ERA objections TAKE YOUR AMBITION FURTHER PART-TIME COURSES MARCH 2017 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN for shortcourses.mcast.edu.mt Following MaltaToday probe, board to investigate PA's seeming refusal to accept ERA's recommendations Disused Hondoq desalination plant to be reactivated Jose Herrera (second from right) said the results of the MaltaToday investigation had alarmed him. Top left: The MaltaToday story that announced the findings

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