Factories in Kirkop could double in height, PA proposal suggests

Updated at 1:40pm with INDIS reaction

The height limitation in the Kirkop industrial estate where ST Microelectronics and Multigas Ltd are located, could double according to a proposal put forward by the Planning Authority.

The current height limitation is set at 15 metres and the PA is proposing this should rise to between 28m and 35m, which is the equivalent of between eight and 10 floors.

Factory developments located on sites run by INDIS, a government agency, can already be approved through a Development Notification Order. A DNO is a simplified and fast-tracked planning procedure initially introduced for small-scale developments like traffic lights and internal alterations in homes but was extended later to cover larger developments including industrial developments and applications related to security and defence.

The proposed change has been issued for public consultation.

According to the Planning Authority the aim of the change is  to facilitate expansion projects for major manufacturing enterprises located in the INDIS estate of Kirkop, which require a building height above the current allowable height of 15 metres.

Irrespective of the height limitation, any development would require prior approval from the civil aviation authorities because of the industrial estate’s proximity to the airport.

Changes like those proposed for the Kirkop site have been made in the past few years in other industrial zones, including Mriehel on the part facing Mdina Road.

The legal notice  proposed in 2022 also foresaw new building heights within the INDIS industrial estate in Marsa where heights range between 15m and 28m.  In San Gwann a new site along Triq San Giljan has been added to the area where 28m-high development can be approved through DNO procedure.

The approval of factory developments through the fast-tracked planning procedure came under the spotlight in the Jean Paul Sofia public inquiry, which recommended that method statements  outlining the works on industrial sites should be obligatory for all developments, whether these are full development applications or DNOs.

Moreover, method statements should include a geologist’s report whenever the development requires excavation work.

INDIS says proposal was made following ‘extensive consultation’

Reacting to the MaltaToday report, INDIS said the proposal was made following extensive consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders, including the Civil Aviation Directorate within Transport Malta and Malta International Airport, to guarantee compliance with safety and aviation regulations.

“INDIS remains committed to ensuring that any development is carried out with the utmost respect for environmental sustainability, balancing built spaces with open areas. This includes the planting of trees and incorporating design elements that enhance the visual appeal of the industrial zone,” the statement read.

INDISI emphasised the Kirkop industrial area consists of only two already established factories. “As previously announced, one of these factories is undergoing a major expansion, representing the largest foreign direct investment in Malta's history. This investment, amounting to €150 million, is focused on the microchip research and innovation sector. While this expansion will not lead to an increase in the workforce, it will create opportunities for current employees to advance in their careers, providing them with long-term stability and security.”

“Regarding the proposed modifications to the Development Notification Order (DNO) for this project, INDIS confirms that these changes are required to ensure that the factory extension will match the height of the existing facility. The new extension will not exceed the height of the current structure,” it said.