Application plans should show "ecological sensitivity" - NT

Nature Trust, the environmental NGO, has urged developers to heed the transposition of European Union directives for ecological protection into national law and show ecological sensitivity in their application plans.

In a statement the organisation acknowledged the good examples set by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and especially its enforcement officers in meeting environmental standards despite a lack of resources.

According to Nature Trust examples of insensitivity by developers and good practice by Mepa included the following sites:

Ghajn Tuffieha, where Mepa refused a plan to convert areas of great ecological importance into a tourist village. These areas have been given special protection in accordance with European Union directives as Special Areas of Conservation. Developers were encouraged to respect structure and local plans, development schemes and laws safeguarding the natural environment in their applications.

Bahar ic-Caghaq, where Mepa speedily issued an enforcement notice after irregularities were notified. Nature Trust urged Mepa not to sanction the irregularities and not to allow works on developments where permits have not been granted. The NGO argued that such proceedings should be highlighted in the developer's track record and be given heavy consideration for future applications.

Tal-Balal, San Gwann where Mepa made provisions to protect a maquis area of ecological importance during the approval of a new secondary school.

The NGO is now urging Mepa to go one step further and actually undertake urgent scheduling of the maquis area as an Area of Ecological Importance and as a Special Area of Conservation in line with European Union directives. The NGO invited developers to show sensitivity to areas of ecological importance such as maquis areas, which contain protected or rare species.