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maltatoday SUNDAY 25 MARCH 2018 News JAMES DEBONO THE sprawl of mega petrol sta- tions outside development zones is set to continue despite a gov- ernment review of planning poli- cies. The Planning Authority's board will take a decision on Thursday on a new ODZ petrol station in Luqa, instead of postponing its decision to a date after the policy review. Since the 2017 general elec- tions the PA has approved large petrol stations in Burmarrad, Marsaskala and Maghtab on the strength of a policy that allows the relocation of urban petrol stations to outside development zones. The new 3,000sq.m. petrol sta- tion proposed along Qormi road, adjacent to the Water Services Corporation in Luqa, is being recommended for approval by the PA's planning directorate. But back in January environ- ment minister José Herrera pushed the Environment Au- thority (ERA) to review the cur- rent Fuel Service Stations Policy and propose revisions to the Planning Authority's executive council. "Whilst noting that many of the (development) proposals were in line with the policy, these could be objectionable because of the significant concern regarding the cumulative environmen- tal impact caused by the policy framework for fuel service sta- tions," Herrera had said. The Environment and Resourc- es Authority is opposing the Luqa application, saying it takes up 3,000sq.m of agricultural land and creates "a precedent for other developments along Qormi road." 1,500 cubic metres of soil will be excavated. The application originally envi- sioned a brand new petrol station but at a later stage the applica- tion was changed to include the relocation of the petrol station on Savoy Hill in Sliema. The planning directorate ar- gues that the application is com- pliant with the policy regulating fuel stations but is recommend- ing a €75,000 "planning gain" compensation for environmental projects in the locality. The Luqa local council gave its go-ahead for the development, but Birdlife and Nature Trust are objecting to the application. The site is listed as an Area of Agri- cultural Importance in the South Local Plan. The directorate's case officer justified approval because the site conforms to a clause in the Fuel Service Stations Policy which recommends the approval of petrol stations opposite to or adjacent to designated industrial areas. "The site under consideration is situated opposite to a desig- nated industrial area and as such could be considered to be suit- able to accommodate fuel sta- tions." The draft fuel stations policy issued in 2014 made no reference to development adjacent or op- posite industrial areas. But the criteria for ODZ petrol stations were further relaxed in the final policy document approved in 2015, to allow brand new petrol stations in areas adjacent or op- posite so called 'areas of contain- ment'. On its part ERA insists that al- though the proposal may satisf y certain requirements stipulated under the policy "there is no overriding justification for the further loss of rural land and as- sociated environmental impacts in order to accommodate a com- mercial use outside the zones that are officially committed for development." Three fuel stations exist in the radius of 1.2km in the vicin- ity of the proposed fuel station. The policy regulating new fuel pumps only bans new petrol sta- tions within a distance of a 500m radius of existing ones. The petrol station is being pro- posed by Raymond Brincat, and will include a service station, a small shop, a tyre service garage, VRT Garage, ATM, and car wash facilities. MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and the repayment of the investment is not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Terms and Conditions apply. Zero entrance fees on fund investments in March and April. 2557 4400 info@medirect.com.mt Investing isn't scary. Retiring without enough cash in the bank is. Mega petrol station set for approval despite policy review