NGOs: ‘Hidden powers’ behind approval of mega petrol station in Luqa

Hidden powers have decided the outcome of the Planning Authority’s decision on yet another ODZ petrol station, NGOs said on Thursday.

Nine NGOs held a press conference outside the Planning Authority in which they expressed their concern over the approval of a mega petrol station on ODZ and agricultural land in Luqa. The NGOs said the decision was an act of senseless environmental destruction.

“Although there was a vote by the Board against the same application on the 5th April, the Planning Board has a history of changing its decision without any apparent reason” the NGOs said, adding that “hidden power kept secret from the public which really sets the outcomes of the board’s decisions.”

Il-PA qiegħda hemm biss biex taqdi l-interessi ta’ ftit żviluppaturi.

VOT KONTRA POMPA TAL-PETROL ENORMI FUQ ODZ JINBIDEL MISTERJOŻAMENT F’VOT FAVURDalgħodu disa’ għaqdiet indirizzaw Konferenza Stampa quddiem l-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar. Huma esprimew il-biża' tagħhom li pompa tal-petrol enormi fuq art agrikola u ODZ f’Ħal Luqa kien hem iċ-ċans li tiġi approvata llum mill-Bord tal-Ippjanar. Dan għaliex, għalkemm kien hemm vot kontra din l-applikazzjoni fil-5 ta’ April, il-Bord tal-Ippjanar għandu ħabta jbiddel id-deċiżjonijiet tiegħu mingħajr ebda raġuni. Għidna li jekk l-applikazzjoni tal-pompa tal-petrol f’Ħal Luqa tgħaddi, bilfors ifisser li hemm poteri li jaħdmu minn wara l-kwinti, u li huma dawn il-poteri li qed jiddeċiedu l-eżitu tad-deċiżjonijiet tal-Bord (ara l-video).Il-biża' tagħna ġiet ikkonfermata f’laqgħa tal-Bord li ma tista' ssejħilha xejn ħlief farsa. Il-vot kontra llum inbidel għal vot favur, u b’hekk Malta se tissebbaħ b’pompa tal-petrol oħra li se tieħu iktar minn 4,500 metru kwadru ta’ art agrikola, f’żona diġà mifqugħa bil-pompi tal-petrol.—————————————————————-A VOTE AGAINST MEGA PETROL STATION ON ODZ MYSTERIOUSLY CHANGES TO A VOTE IN FAVOURThis morning, nine NGOs held a Press Conference outside the Planning Authority. They expressed their concern that a mega petrol station on ODZ and agricultural land in Luqa risked approval today by the Planning Board. Although there was a vote by the Board against the same application on the 5th April, the Planning Board has a history of changing its decision without any apparent reason. We stated that if the Luqa petrol station is approved, it will mean that it is hidden power kept secret from the public which really sets the outcomes of the Board's decisions (watch video).Our fears were confirmed during a Board sitting that can only be described as a veritable farce. The vote against changed to one in favour during this meeting. Malta will thus be embellished with yet another petrol station that will take up over 4,500 meters squared of agricultural land, in an area which is already saturated with petrol stations.

Gepostet von Moviment Graffitti am Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2018

During the meeting, Planning Authority executive secretary Johann Buttigieg, said that the Luqa application was in line with the authority’s policy and the only members to vote against were PN representative Marthese Portelli, ERA representative Victor Axiak, NGO representative Annick Bonello and the Planning Authority’s chairman Vince Cassar.

The NGOs said that their fears were confirmed in what they described as a “veritable farce.”

They said that the Planning Authority’s board vote changed to one in favour and “Malta will thus be embellished with yet another petrol station that will take up over 4,500 meters squared of agricultural land, in an area which is already saturated with petrol stations.”

The NGOs also asked why the review of the 2015 Fuel Stations Policy that was promised by the environment minister is yet to be concluded.

The decision will see the relocation of the Savoy petrol station located on Rue d’Argens in Gzira to ODZ land in Luqa and will include car wash facilities, a pumping station, a tyre service garage, a shop on two floors, a VRT garage and a small car park.

The NGOs include FAA Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Din l-Art Helwa, Ramblers Malta, Moviment Graffitti, BirdLife Malta, Żminijietna, Nature Trust Malta and Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent

                           

Sign up to our newsletter

Stay in the know

Get special updates directly in your inbox
Don't worry we do not spam
                           
                               
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Related Stories

Buried cave in Gozo: Watchdog still awaiting explanation from architect
Almost a month after an emergency stop notice was
New cannabis boss, 28, is an associate of prime minister’s brother-in-law
The government has resorted to another partisan appointment, to

Our Awards and Media Partners

Award logo Award logo Award logo