Naxxar fair would breach Mepa policy

What is happening in Naxxar at this very moment is something of great concern. The outcome could easily determine the manner in which Mepa intends to carry out its duties with regard to all its local plans.

In July 2006, Mepa issued its Approved Central Malta Local Plan. The local plan was approved by the Mepa board on July 11, 2006 and endorsed by the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment on August 3, 2006. It very clearly states: "NA02 - Malta Trade Fair Site. In the event that the existing Malta Trade Fair activity ceases operating on this site, either through closure or relocation of this land use elsewhere, Mepa will not permit the continued use of this site as a Trade Fair but will allow the entire site to be redeveloped for the following land uses: 1. High quality residential development; 2. [...]

"Furthermore, the comprehensive plan for the area designated by this policy is also to follow the planning policy guidelines as set out in Appendix C. This report contains the planning and design criteria for the future redevelopment of the Malta Trade Fair Grounds, the confines of which are indicated in the Naxxar Area Policy Map. 5.2 The overall massing of the project shall not create over-sized monolithic or high building blocks, but shall consist of small built volumes with inter-connected well landscaped terraces and passageways that will, in time, soften the mass of the blocks."

For all intents and purposes, back in 2007 the trade fair activity ceased to operate on this site. Moreover the new company, which was formed specifically to cater for the fairs, was forced to operate from Ta' Qali as from October 2007. This was done to follow the above-mentioned policy plans.

The people who ran the company at Ta' Qali at the time are the same people who formed a new company and are trying to bring back the trade fairs to Naxxar. Moreover, following the court application filed against TFEA Ltd, where it is being stated that the grounds do not have the necessary permits and trading licences, we are of the opinion that Mepa should be in a better position to confirm such allegations and if proved true, stop such activities immediately.

In addition to the Naxxar Local Plan, one will also find the North West Local Plan - Approved Ta' Qali Action Plan by Mepa Board on June 20, 2006; endorsed by the minister on August 2, 2006. This states: "13.23. A temporary structure on a site [...], given that the lease of land at Naxxar for the use of trade fairs is to expire shortly. 13.27. Over recent years the increased activities related to the Malta International Trade Fair have rendered the Naxxar Fair Grounds unsuitable for the purpose".

Now we have Paul Abela and his company TFEA Ltd who, as we write this letter, are setting up the old trade fair grounds for an event which is supposedly to be held later on this month and with many more planned fairs to follow. Mr Abela was quoted by this same newspaper as saying "the only person who will stop me from achieving my goal is God".

Apart from the legal issues we would also like to remind all Naxxar residents and also those in the surrounding areas that within one year of trade fairs organised between September 2006 and July 2007, the total numbers of visitors reached 372,000 while the number of days utilised by fairs was 67. This excludes any parties, discos and other specialised fairs. It is very easy to deduce the number of cars driving through Naxxar; the fumes; the noise; the traffic; the time spent in traffic to get home for us residents, etc...

The Naxxar local council has unanimously objected to the possibility of the return of the fairs to Naxxar. We now expect Mepa to come out and stand by what is documented on its side.

This letter is brought to you by the administrators of the Facebook Group "We do not want the Trade Fair back at Naxxar."