James Debono The Ministry for Rural Affairs and Resources is claiming that two sites, outside development zones, earmarked for public caravan sites, were chosen in a “site selection exercise” by MEPA to pinpoint possible caravan sites.
But the planning authority has refused to divulge the contents of the unpublished report that earmarked zones in Mellieha and Marsaskala, limiting itself to say the exercise was based on a “draft document” initiated in 2004.
MEPA did not reveal which sites were considered for the development of caravan sites and which criteria and policies were applied to identify the appropriate sites.
The ministry spokesperson however said the Marsaskala site was “one of the best suited sites” identified by MEPA’s obscure site-selection exercise.
However, more studies and assessments will have to be carried out as part of the application process, the spokesperson added.
The Maraskala site, located at iz-Zonqor, is in the vicinity of the national pool. The application includes both a derelict area, presently used as a car park, as well as agricultural land designated as a rural conservation area.
The other site is at il-Prajjiet, opposite Popeye Village in Mellieha, which forms part of the Majjistral National Park. This particular area is designated as a Special Area of Conversation and protected by the Habitats Directive. Environmental NGOs have also objected to this development.
Both sites are subject to enforcement notices issued by MEPA. In March, MEPA issued an enforcement order against various derelict vehicles dumped on the Zonqor site. Another order was issued in June 2008 against the deposit of construction material on the Mellieha site. To this day, however, no action has been taken to remove the rubble.
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