Mepa seeks vets’ advice on new fish market site

A proposed fish market next to the Marsa abattoir has raised health concerns leading the planning board to postpone a decision on the project yesterday.

Malta Environment and Planning Authority chairman Austin Walker said the veterinary services would find out whether having a fish market near an abattoir posed any risks.

The Resources’ Ministry an-nounced last year it planned to move the fish market, known as Il-Pixkerija, from Barriera Wharf in Grand Harbour to a state-of-the-art facility in Marsa’s Albert Town. The new market, financed mostly through the European Fisheries Fund, would be located on the site of a former reverse osmosis plant, next door to the abattoir. The plan is to have a market hall, 12 middlemen rooms and extra public gathering space built on two floors.

The first floor would house fish packaging, fish processing and office space and the flexible gathering space at ground floor level would serve as a market and meeting place.

The project was recommended for approval by the case officer. However, the planning board said that before giving the go-ahead it wished to consult the veterinary services over whether there were any safety concerns because of the proximity to the abattoir.

The issue will be discussed again by the board within a month when parking arrangements will also be tackled.

The fish market, on the water’s edge close to the old Customs House in Valletta, was built about 50 years ago and there are plans to convert it into a boutique hotel.