Developers join objection to Marsaskala shopping complex in place of disused quarry

The Malta Developers Association has joined a number of organisations opposing the development of a commercial and retail complex proposed in a long disused quarry opposite the Marsaskala Family Park.

The development includes a basement carpark, a 3,080 sq.m commercial outlet and 748 sq.m restaurant and a 330 sq.m drive thru at ground floor level, 2,080 sq.m of offices at the first floor level and a landscaped roof. 

The proposal has been met with objections from the Environment and Resources Authority, which noting the area’s ODZ status, insisted that retail and commercial development is more appropriate in urban areas which are already designated for such use. Other objectors include environmental NGOs Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Nature Trust.

In a statement issued this morning, the MDA held that although the rehabilitation of disused quarries was a positive move, “it should not serve as a trampoline for one to obtain approval of developments that are incongruent in ODZ areas.”

“All development, with particular emphasis on ODZ sites, should be in line with existing policies and therefore MDA feels that commercial developments, such as the one being proposed, should not be allowed by being depicted as a rehabilitation of a disused quarry,” the association said, reiterating that the proposal was unjustified and would create a “dangerous” precedent.

“Disused quarries should only be rehabilitated with the end result being an added environmental benefit after they are used as infill sites for inert material,” the MDA added.

The MDA pointed out that the current demand for space for the disposal of construction material can only be satisfied if good use is made of existing disused quarries for such a purpose.

“Issuing a permit for the so-called rehabilitation of a disused quarry with a commercial development will create a very bad precedent, with other quarry owners attempting to do the same in the future.”