Pet cemetery proposal shot down

"I will not give up before I've exhausted all avenues"

Animal lover Simon Micallef is determined not to give up his campaign to build Malta's first pet cemetery, despite being informed on Friday that his proposed development is being recommended for refusal.

The various authorities involved in processing his outline development permit application - to change the use of an existing field in Tal-Ħlas, limits of Qormi, into a pet cemetery - are mainly concerned that the proposed cemetery is outside the development zone (ODZ), that the agricultural nature of the site may be lost, and that there may be groundwater contamination.

"Such a use could be better sited close to the development zone in a degraded site that is served with suitable access and subject to other environmental considerations," a spokesman for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority told The Sunday Times.

But Mr Micallef is arguing that, while he is aware that the proposed cemetery is ODZ and he appreciates Mepa's concerns, he does not know where else it can be located.

"You cannot have a pet cemetery in a residential area. It makes more sense to locate it in an ODZ area... Apart from this, there will be no structural eyesores. It will be an attraction and will be embellished," he said.

Commenting about the environmental concerns raised, particularly the contamination of ground water by the burials, Mr Micallef said: "What about the residue of human cemeteries? This will be a hygienic and organised activity and it will be controlled rather than having a man dump his dead dog anywhere.

"On a moral and humanitarian level, it's heartbreaking for animal lovers not to bury their pets with dignity... After all, there are pet cemeteries all over the world. Why not Malta?"

Having a pet cemetery has been Mr Micallef's childhood dream.

Last August he filed the application for an outline development permission application for the change of use of an existing field, registered on third parties, into the pet cemetery.

Animal lovers would be given the opportunity to purchase a grave for their pet and mark it with a small tombstone.

A Mepa spokesman explained that, due to the nature of the application, it was evaluated by several authorities, including the veterinary regulations division.

A few months ago Mr Micallef received a letter from the Planning Directorate informing him that the proposed development was considered unacceptable and, on Friday, the Case Officers' report was sent informing him that the application "cannot be favourably considered and is therefore recommended for refusal".

Among others, it is noted, in the report, that "the proposed use is essentially a commercial activity that will attract vehicular activity towards an area that is not widely accessible, while there is little or no space for parking provision".

But Mr Micallef is standing his ground and questioning whether this is a case of two weights and two measures: "What about the mushrooming of buildings in ODZ permits for villas granted in Madliena and Wardija?

"We need to have a decent and organised place where we can bury our pets, irrespective of whether it's me or someone else who makes it possible... I will not give up before I've exhausted all avenues," he said.