A number of planning applications for the development of petrol stations in outside development zone areas are paving the way for urban sprawl, Front Harsien ODZ said today.
It said it is objecting to five ODZ petrol stations proposed in the past months.
The NGO said it noted that the wave of applications comes in the wake of the approval of a controversial new policy, which paves the way for a new urban sprawl, by further undermining the distinction between urban and rural areas.
“By undermining the distinction between urban and rural areas, petrol stations fully equipped by other facilities like a car wash could create a precedent for more development in the future,” it warned.
Front Harsien ODZ said it agreed with the relocation of petrol stations from urban areas where these can pose a danger to residents to designated industrial or storage areas outside development zones, but when relocated, petrol stations should continue to occupy the same footprint as before.
"The new policy approved last year, allows petrol stations to be relocated from existing sites to rural areas outside development zones. These fuel stations are also allowed to expand their facilities to up to 3000 square meters. The policy allows brand new petrol stations (not re-located ones) to be developed on over 3000 square meter sites in ODZ areas designated for industrial or storage use or as areas of containment."
Front Harsien ODZ said it was particularly concerned by a clause in the new policy which permits new petrol stations in rural areas “opposite or adjacent” to industrial and storage areas and areas of containment as this would result in an urban sprawl.
The Front also believes that all relocations should be limited to ODZ areas designated for industrial or storage use. Re-using the sites of abandoned petrol stations should also be considered. No permits for brand new petrol stations should be issued outside development boundaries as this would take the limited space available for re-located petrol stations.
The Front said it is objecting to five ODZ petrol stations proposed in the past months. Two of these being proposed along Triq Burmarrad in Saint Paul’s Bay .
One of the petrol stations in Burmarrad is being proposed by Easysell Kia Malta Ltd, a company owned by Tumas Group. The petrol station is being proposed on a vacant site designated as an area of containment but which was formerly a rural area ruined by past irregularities. The Front notes that three previous attempts to develop a carwash in the same area were rejected.
The other proposal in Burmarrad is being made by Construction and Turnkey House Ltd in an area adjacent to an area of containment in an area designated for its agricultural value. The Environment Protection Directorate has already objected to this proposal.
The other objections are to petrol stations in Triq is-Salina, Maghtab (proposed by Paul Abela), in Triq l-Imdina Attard (proposed by Ludwig Camilleri) and in Triq l-Industrija, Kirkop (proposed by Giancarlo Cini), on agricultural land opposite an industrial area.