Mepaspeak

The Triq Buqana site proposed by the developer and accepted by Mepa for the relocation of the Floriana petrol station was unacceptable for many environmental and planning reasons as laid out in the Structure Plan for the Maltese islands.

In mepaspeak, the area is utilised for agricultural purposes and is open agricultural space, it lies Outside Development Zone and is in an Area of High Landscape Value. It is linked to the Chadwick Lakes valley and it aids rainwater conservation through the Mean Sea Level Aquifer. The area is of historical significance, it runs against the concept of agro-tourism in the locality and, last but not least, there are enough petrol stations in the locality. It was not needed.

Again in mepaspeak, within Rural Conservation Areas applications for permission to develop structures or facilities essential to agricultural, ecological or scenic interests, will be favourably considered, while areas of scenic value will be protected and enhanced.

Relocation of petrol stations away from habitation is certainly positive and should be encouraged, but the unwarranted destruction of countryside is not. Mepa granted the permit when all the reasons existed for rejecting it and by so doing heightened the perception that it panders to the developer to the detriment of the public.