(Adds ministry statement)
The green light for the transformation of an existing dumping site in Marsascala into a family park has been given by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
The land, which stretches over an area of over 85,000 square meters, between the Sant’Antnin recycling plant and ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija, will include a small amphitheatre, a farm for animal petting, an Equestrian Facility, a kiosk area, a large open landscaped area, volleyball and 5-a-side football pitches, a tennis court, outdoor gym equipment, a landscaped maze, an agro-tourism products exhibition area, an olive grove, a 100-car park, and a multi-purpose space.
This project came about as a result of a planning gain permit condition, imposed on Waste Serve, by the authority when it had granted planning permission for the development of the Sant’Antnin recycling plant.
The Mepa board also approved embellishment works along the waterfront of Xatt ir-Risq, between the Regatta Club and the Freedom Day Monument.
This project, which is part of a wider plan to embellish and make accessible to the public the Dock 1 area and the waterfront around the creek, will include major landscaping works together with the development of an urban space, a kiosk area, an outside seating area and parking provisions.
The applicant, through the Malta Transport Authority, has committed to provide temporary additional parking facilities around the locality.
MINISTRY'S REACTION TO FAMILY PARK PERMIT
The ministry said in a statement that the park would transform the closed Marsascala rubbish dump into a recreational park returning to the people space which in the 1970s was used as a rubbish dump.
The ministry said works on the 85,000 square metre park would start next year. Its attractions would include landscaped mazes and a rock climbing wall. The park would also serve as a showcase for Maltese agricultural products.
The ministry said that a visitors’ information centre would provide information on ecology and on the work that was being done for waste to continue being a resource from which clean energy was generated. It would continue to help change the people’s perception of waste.
The ministry said it was the government’s vision to transform closed landfills in environmental parks.