Marsaxlokk council objects to Labour manifesto plans for fish hatchery
Proposed ARM building planned on site where council already has planning permission for garden and jogging track
Marsaxlokk local council has objected to proposals on aquaculture and maritime activity in Labour’s electoral manifesto arguing the plans could directly affect the locality.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the council said it was concerned by proposals in the Int Malta manifesto, published earlier this week, which included plans for a new Aquatic Resources Malta building near the Port Ruman residential area.
The council said Aquatic Resources Malta CEO Francis Fabri had presented plans during a council meeting on November 13 for a new multi-storey building on a site where the council already has planning permission for a public garden and jogging track.
According to the council, the proposed building would house ARM offices, as well as a fish hatchery and species research facilities.
The council said it opposed the proposal because the site should be retained as an open green space for the public. Residents, it said, did not need a hatchery close to their homes but more sports facilities and green areas.
It also criticised what it described as a lack of proper consultation with Port Ruman residents and warned that the “massive” building would create a new eyesore in Marsaxlokk.
The council said it agreed that aquaculture operations should be moved out of San Luċjan Tower so the historic site could be restored and turned into a museum.
In 2013, NGO Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna had called for the relocation of the National Aquaculture Centre from Fort San Luċjan, saying the fort should be restored and opened to the public as a historic attraction.
Aquatic Resources Malta continues to operate from Fort San Luċjan. In December, ARM announced a sea urchin breeding project had spawned around 100,000 larval sea urchins at its headquarters there.
However, the council said transferring the operation into the heart of a residential area was unacceptable. It suggested the development should instead form part of the planned “Is-Siċċa” project, close to San Luċjan Tower.
The council also called for urgent clarification over proposals linked to the Marsa phase of the Grand Harbour regeneration project, saying it wanted to know what would happen to current maritime and industrial operations in Marsa and whether any of them could be shifted to Marsaxlokk.
Marsaxlokk council said it would take a firm stand against any transfer of industrial services to the locality.
“We will not allow any decision that harms our bays or reduces residents’ quality of life,” it said.
Asked what specific concerns the council had about the plans for Marsa, Marsaxlokk mayor Steven Grech told Times of Malta there was precedent for industrial projects being located in the town.