Malta: NGOs up in arms as Planning Authority fails to revise fuel station policy

11 NGOs sent a joint press release to note that current fuel station policy has not been reviewed yet and to dennounce that the new policy might still allow ODZ fuel stations.

The NGOs agreed in their communication that fuel stations must be located out of urban centres, however, non-greenfield sites can be found instead of Outside Development Zones (ODZ), reports Newsbook.

One year after the Environment Minister Jose Herrera pledged a review of the 2015 Fuel Service Stations Policy, the revised policy may still grant permits for ODZ fuel stations, according to Planning Minister Ian Borg’s statements.

In their joint press release, the NGOs argue that giving permission to build ODZ fuel stations is against the Environment and Resources Authority’s (ERA) recommendations, which suggests that “ODZ sites shall not be potential candidate sites for new or relocated fuel stations.”

At the moment there are 14 applications for ODZ fuel stations in Malta, and 4 of these have been granted permit already. Since the review in demand has not taken place yet, more applications are expected to be submitted.

The statement was signed by the following NGOs: Moviment Graffitti, Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Nature Trust Malta, Futur Ambjent Wieħed, Bicycle Advocacy Group, Isles of the Left, Ramblers Association, Birdlife Malta and Żminijietna.