PA to review local plan for former Birżebbuġa oil depot site
Four years ago Energy Minister Miriam Dalli had announced a €40 million refurbishment project
The government has formally requested the Planning Authority to kick off a partial review of the 1995 Marsaxlokk Bay local plan linked to the site of the former Luċjan Oil Depot in Birżebbuġa.
The authority has also been tasked with the preparation of a new development brief to guide the future regeneration of the area.
Four years ago, Energy Minister Miriam Dalli had said the oil storage facility was going to be transformed into a new open space and a research and investment centre through a €40 million investment. Dalli had announced the project in Birżebbuġa - one of the districts she was contesting in the general election.
In a statement on Wednesday, the PA said that with the former oil depot now fully decommissioned, the location presents a significant opportunity for regeneration.
It is proposing an updated planning framework, which it said aims at guiding the site’s transformation into a space that reflects contemporary needs, community aspirations, and long-term sustainability.
"Given that the existing planning policy did not establish a detailed framework for the alternative use of the site once the oil depot ceased operations, the proposed review aims to develop a new spatial planning framework to guide the long-term regeneration of the area.
"The initiative is also in line with the government’s strategic objectives to strengthen Malta’s blue and green economy, while creating new opportunities for sustainable development and additional public open spaces."
The proposed objectives for the review are designed to establish a forward-looking and balanced vision for the area, focusing on:
The PA urged those interested to review the proposals and submit their feedback by April 24 through the official online form available here.
More information here.
Clarifications can be sought on sanlucjan_consultation@pa.org.mt