PA to undertake review of 2006 South Malta local plan with a focus on Hal Far

The Planning Authority is proposing a partial review of the 2006 South Malta Local Plan, as amended in 2017, specifically addressing the Ħal Far region, the PA said in a statement Thursday.

Recently, The Malta Independent on Sunday reported that the process to amend the local plans regarding the Wied Żnuber area, to change an area of land designated as being within the Hal Far Industrial Estate to an Outside Development Zone, was to start in the coming days.

This news followed on from a speech Prime Minister Robert Abela had made in Parliament last month, where he had mentioned the creation of an ODZ buffer zone between the valley and the Hal Far Industrial Estate.

The primary goal of this review, the PA said, is to designate a segment of the industrial site, as a buffer zone safeguarding the protected Special Area of Conservation. Under the existing policy framework, the Industrial Development Boundary for Ħal Far Industrial Estate designates land within this boundary for exclusive industrial use.

Acknowledging the potential impact of industrial development in the southern section of the estate on the protected Special Area of Conservation Natura 2000 site, the current policy mandates the creation of a 6-metre landscaped buffer zone and imposes restrictions on building height to 12 metres with a setback of 4.25 metres from the seaward side.

These provisions are not deemed to provide adequate safeguards to the Special Area of Conservation and consequently, this review suggests the total removal of a portion of the site from the industrial area. The objective is to prohibit any form of development other than that which is aimed at enhancing the environmental value of the site.

Additionally, the review recommends allocating a small portion of the site for low-impact sports. For those seeking further information, the proposed objectives can be accessed on the PA’s website at www.pa.org.mt/consultation.

The PA encourages individuals and organisations to submit their representations on these proposed objectives in writing to the Planning Authority via email at halfar.re

by Thursday, 21 December.