James Debono An application has been submitted for the development of a supermarket and a five-storey car park on the site of a former quarry in the area known as Is-Sghajtar, between Naxxar and Mosta.
The development is set to take place on the site of a former quarry facing Triq l-Ingliterra in Naxxar. The land was included in development zones in 2006 when the government embarked on the “rationalisation” of boundaries after several applications to renew quarrying operation in the area where turned down by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
The application for the new supermarket was presented by Dr. Joseph Fenech, one of the owners of Blokrete Ltd.
The local plan justified the inclusion of this area in development schemes because it is “practically completely enveloped by development on all four sides, including substantial residential areas to the north, west and east, and the Mosta Technopark to the south.”
The Central Malta Local, approved in the same year, earmarked the area occupied by the former quarries for the development of a “district level warehousing complex and for offices.”
The site earmarked for the development represents only a portion of the land earmarked for residential and recreational development in the local plan which also calls for a development brief for the Is-Sghajtar ex-quarry area, and the land adjacent to the Mosta Technopark, to prevent piece meal development.
Permits for quarrying, used in the same area, have not been renewed by MEPA due to the proximity of the site to residential areas.
Residents who have spoken to this newspaper have expressed concern that the development, in an area which was previously outside the development zones (ODZ), will generate more traffic to the residential area enveloping the former quarry.
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