MEPA said today that it had extended the boundaries of the protection zone around Ħarq Ħammiem valley, which is located near Pembroke and St Julians. It said the decision was taken to safeguard the natural heritage and the biodiversity of the valley and an underground cave there.

The valley and the cave were scheduled by the authority way back in 1996 but the original scheduling boundary has now been revised to include the entire valley and a 30-metre ‘constraint zone’ around the exact location of the underground cave.

“The area within the constraint zone is not scheduled and does not carry any levels of protection. The 30-metre zone is intended to ensure that any application for development permission that includes excavation works is accompanied by an appropriate study to safeguard the stability and integrity of the nearby cave,” MEPA said.

“The same levels of protection that were assigned in 1996 have been retained. The core area of the valley and the underground cave are still being given the highest degree of protection (Level 1). A Buffer Zone (Level 4) is also being established to safeguard the importance and integrity of the entire valley.”
The amendment to the scheduling boundary also includes the removal of a section along the North-western boundary that extended into Triq Emmanuele Decelis, and another smaller area along the South-eastern boundary. These two areas were descheduled to tally with the provisions of the approved North Harbours Local Plan.

Scheduling of natural and cultural heritage, is a control mechanism that enables the Authority to restrict development according to the protection level.