Planning Authority turns down application for new petrol station in Attard

Last week, the Planning Board refused a planning application for the construction of a new fuel service station with ancillary services along Triq l-Imdina, in Attard.

The Board cited that the proposed fuel station goes against the existing fuel station policy in that it will be located less than 500 metres from an existing service station which although located on the opposite lane, is still easily accessible.

The Board also noted that the proposal was excessive in scale and was partly located within the 300-metre buffer zone for groundwater safeguard.

The site is characterised by undeveloped land with no defined physical boundaries with the exception of a rubble wall along the frontage on Triq l-Imdina and a small single-storey stone building located on the southwest corner of the site which is now derelict.

The proposed development was to include an underground parking area and stores while at ground floor level the facility was to have a tyre services garage, two shops with overlying offices, four fuel pump stations, an automatic car wash and two charging stations for electric vehicles.

Lightweight canopies were proposed to cover the fuelling pumps and car wash facilities.

The fuel station was to replace another existing fuel station situated in Triq il-Wied, Msida.