Minister defends recycling plant's modernisation

The Minister For The Environment And Rural Affairs together with Wasteserv Ltd yesterday filed a counter-protest in the First Hall of the Civil Court replying to another filed against them by 41 Marsascala residents in respect of the Sant'Antnin recycling plant.

The residents had claimed that the expansion of the plant would have a negative effect on their health and on the value of their property and their way of life. They also said it would adversely affect the flow of tourists to the area, their business and cultural sites.

Although the residents had already asked the minister and Wasteserv not to go ahead with the development application for the improvement of this plant, the authorities had proceeded with their plans and the residents formally called upon them to halt the project while holding them liable in damages.

The minister and Wasteserv replied that the residents' allegations were totally unfounded for the only plans underway were for the modernisation of the Sant' Antnin recycling plant and not for its expansion.

They said the plant's modernisation would further reduce any inconvenience suffered by the residents of Marsascala. Furthermore, as a result of this modernisation, the plant would expand its productivity without increasing its size. The plant would be able to process a total of 71,000 tonnes of waste, which amount was substantially lower than the 83,000 tonnes the plant was currently licensed to process.

Both the minister and Wasteserv declared they were considering a number of comments received from experts on the environmental statement commissioned by Wasteserv. They added that the monitoring of the plant was a condition for the issue of the permit for the modernisation of the plant.

In conclusion, the authorities declared that the modernisation of the plant would ensure that the plant was run according to European Union standards and criteria.

They formally rebutted the residents' claims.

Dr Victor Scerri signed the counter protest.