Local Council Candidate Objects ODZ Development As It Would ‘Impact Mosta Festa’
Mosta resident and local council candidate Thomas De Martino is taking a stand against a planning application proposing the development of an ODZ area within his locality, taking to Facebook to rally support for his objection to planning application PA/00686/24, citing concerns about the potential ramifications of the development on the local landscape and cultural heritage.
The proposed development, situated on a vacant piece of land in Triq San Pawl tal-Qliegħa in Mosta, envisions the area being developed into “an education facility for young children to be able to learn, connect, protect and reinstate the natural state of the proposed site while investigating and researching new sustainable ways of doing agriculture into the future.”
One of De Martino’s primary objections pertains to the impact of the development on the annual festivities associated with Mosta’s local feast in the month of August.
“Given the proximity of the development site to the site from where petards are set off and pyrotechnical exhibitions are organised, the development can risk the granting of the necessary clearances from the authorities for the aforementioned pyrotechnical displays, which are an integral part of the Maltese festa,” De Martino wrote.
“Furthermore, if this development is carried out, it shall substantially increase costs for the voluntary organisations that organise these pyrotechnic displays, by creating additional costs related to insurance,” he continued.
De Martino went on to highlight the environmental significance of the area slated for development, saying that the land in question is designated as an ODZ zone and is part of the High Landscape Value (Rural) of Chadwick Lakes, Fiddien, and environs.
“As per Art 72(2) of the Development Planning Act, the Planning Board shall have regard to the aforementioned plans,” the Mosta local council candidate wrote.
Some time after De Martino posted this statement, Mosta mayor Chris Grech left a comment on his status which said “the fact that fireworks are set off from that area is not a concern of the Planning Authority. The Authority refuses applications solely if these go against ‘policies’. That being said, in this case there are some very valid reasons to back up the objection.”
“The Council will be evaluating the application and submitting its objections with regards to the proposals in the planning application that go against the ‘policies’,” the mayor continued.
Do you agree with De Martino’s objection?