Application filed to extend recently approved Marsascala fuel station

An application has been filed to amend and expand the proposed fuel station in Marsascala, opposite the Sant Antnin recycling plant.

The proposed amendments include: an extension to the shop, relocation of the office, relocation of the canopy, the addition of an ATM, the addition of garages, a new car wash and wiping area, relocation of the rainwater reservoir, tanks and services, new parking spaces, and a redesign of footpaths and landscaped areas.

The Planning Authority had, last December, approved a planning application that will see a fuel station built on ODZ land in Marsascala, despite ERA concerns.

The new plans show the inclusion of four garages, labelled VRT, Vulcanizer, Mechanic and Panel Beater. The site area also seems to have been enlarged, and according to the public application stands at 2,670 sqm.

The development will take up around 1,500 sqm of agricultural land on Triq Sant’ Antnin, and includes a shop, two garages, a back office, VRT and car services facilities. The application will mean the decommissioning of a fuel station in Floriana.

The Environment and Resources Authority had originally criticised the site-selection exercise which the developer carried out. The Planning Directorate had held that the negative visual impact of the original application could be mitigated through the use of earth colours in the building’ colour scheme, and other environmental mitigation measures could be included in the construction plan. The original application included the decommissioning of a kerb side fuel station, which is located within the Development Zone of Floriana.

Din l-Art Ħelwa had objected to the original development, arguing amongst other things, against the loss of ODZ land.

The Planning Authority is currently reviewing the Fuel Station Policy, following the amount of controversy which resulted as a result of its implementation. The ERA has already given its views.