Batching plants: Developers call for a reasonable policy

The Malta Developers Association (MDA), referring to yet another controversy that impinges on the construction industry – the fact that a considerable number of concrete batching plants are operating without a permit – has called on the authorities to come up with a “reasonable policy”.

Concrete batching plants have been in the cross hairs recently, with construction magnate Joseph Portelli operating an unlicensed plant in Gozo with complete freedom and impunity.

The MDA said it would be “defeating its own mission if it did not emphasise that such a state of illegality cannot be accepted as a normal situation. There is no doubt that such plants cannot be situated in development zones and, therefore, their location can be controversial. The problem is that there is no established policy regarding these plants.”

But, the MDA argues, such plants constitute industrial activity which is a vital link in the chain of different stakeholders that make up the construction industry.

“Taking up land for industrial use to create employment has always been considered justified by different administrations so as to generate employment,” the MDA observed yesterday.

“Concrete batching plants should not be considered as an exception to this norm.”

The MDA appealed to the Planning Authority and the government to ensure that a “reasonable policy for concrete batching plants is established.”

“This,” it said, “would enable owners of existing plants that are not in breach of the policy to regularise and sanction their activity after payment of fines that are normally due in such circumstances.”