Mepa approves Maghtab rehabilitation project

The Mepa board this morning granted a full development permit for the rehabilitation of the former landfill at Maghtab.

The project will be carried out in phases over a number of years and will involve the capping of the landfill with soil, the creation of reservoirs and landscaping covering an area of some 200,000 sq metres. There will also be new access roads.

85% of the project will be financed through EU Cohesion Funds.

The project will kick off with the planting of a green ring of trees and other landscaping in the lower area. Sporadic groves will be planted in the upper areas and the remainder of the site will be progressively rehabilitated naturally.

The capping process will use crushed limestone from the site itself along with compost and silt-sized material for moisture retention. The rain will no longer be allowed to infiltrate through the mound and the project therefore provides for storm water culverts for the run off water to be stored and used.

The project also includes provisions for the continued removal of any landfill gas.

A separate development application would have to be filed for the area to be turned into a recreational park.