Several planning applications for petrol stations outside the development zone areas are paving the way for a new urban sprawl, according to NGO Front Ħarsien ODZ.

The environment organisation is objecting to five ODZ petrol stations proposed in the past months.

While it agreed with the relocation of petrol stations from urban areas where these could pose a danger to residents, the Front said the new policy was paving the way for a new urban sprawl by further “undermining the distinction between urban and rural areas”.

When relocated, petrol stations should continue to occupy the same footprint as before, it said.

“By undermining the distinction between urban and rural areas, petrol stations fully equipped with ancillary facilities like car washes could create a precedent for more development in the future,” the Front has warned.

Approved last year, the new policy allows petrol stations to be relocated to rural areas outside development zones. Their facilities may be expanded to up to 3,000 square metres.

Front Ħarsien ODZ said it was particularly concerned at a clause which permitted new stations in rural areas “opposite or adjacent” to industrial and storage areas and areas of containment as this would result in urban sprawl. The Front also said that all relocations should be limited to ODZ areas designated for industrial or storage use.

Reusing the sites of abandoned petrol stations should also be considered, it said, and no permits for brand new petrol stations should be issued outside development boundaries as this would take away from the limited space available for the relocation of stations. Two of the stations are being proposed along Triq Burmarrad in St Paul’s Bay.

One of the petrol stations is to be located on a vacant site which was formerly a rural area ruined by irregularities. The NGO said three attempts to develop a car wash in the same area were rejected.

The other station in Burmarrad is being proposed in an area with high agricultural value. The Environment Protection Directorate has already objected to this proposal, the Front said.

The other petrol stations are in Triq is-Salina, Magħtab, in Mdina Road, Attard and inTriql-Industrija,Kirkop, on agricultural land opposite an industrial area.