The Marsascala mayor yesterday urged the planning authority to hold its public consultation meetings about local plans in separate localities, instead of regions, because of the considerable number of complaints and suggestions.

He was speaking at the third public consultation on the revision of the local plans, held for residents in the south and Marsaxlokk Bay.

Mayor Mario Calleja said that for years the south had been used as a dumping site for major projects, to the inconvenience of residents.

Issues raised by Marsascala residents at the meeting included concern about the derelict Jerma hotel, land reclamation between Żonqor and Xgħajra, and the proposal of a yacht marina in St Thomas Bay.

The consultation meeting was held at the Marsascala Primary School, where people were invited to provide feedback about the revision of local plans and their reduction from seven to three.

Raymond Caruana, from the Żejtun local council, questioned this reduction, noting different localities had different needs.

Żejtun, for example, needed more secure streets, he said.

NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar called for the preservation of green areas in the south

Some of the locality’s major roads were battered and were a hot spot for traffic accidents, including fatal ones.

Residents from other localities and environment NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar called for the preservation of green areas in the south, including valleys.

Others called for the development of recreational parks and sports facilities, while some expressed concern about the noise generated by the Freeport in Birżebbuġia.

Architect Frans Mallia, who chaired the meeting, noted that some of the concerns were operational and did not fall directly under Mepa’s remit.

He said any proposed development would be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment. Feedback can be sent by an electronic document at www.mepa.org.mt, e-mail to LP2013@mepa.org.mt or by post to LP2013, Local Plans, Mepa, St Francis Ravelin, Floriana. Call 2290 1027 for details.