Proposed fuel station policy re-issued for public consultation

The Planning Authority has re-issued for public consultation the draft policy framework for fuel stations.

The draft policy is being re-issued after the Authority took into consideration the numerous submissions it received from interested stakeholders and the public during the last public consultation period earlier this year.

The new amended draft includes a number of changes which will make it more restrictive for new fuel stations to be granted planning permission.

One of the key amendments is that it will become compulsory that for an existing fuel station to be granted planning permission to be relocated it needs to still be in operation at the time that the development application is submitted to the Planning Authority. Therefore, out-of-operation fuel stations will not be allowed to get relocated.

Additionally, the Authority is also making it a pre-requisite that an existing fuel station must be creating negative issues of amenity, safety and transport within the built environment for it to get relocated.  

The Authority in this document also makes it clear that this policy framework will also be applicable those fuel station applications which were submitted prior to the coming into force of this policy and have not yet been determined.

The new amendments make it more restrictive on where relocated fuel stations may be sited. The Authority is specifying that for an ODZ site to be considered it must already be covered by a valid development permit or the site is already committed by development carried out before 1967.

Additionally, the committed development must not be related to agriculture and/or animal husbandry.

Such sites will only be considered if a wider environmental benefit is achieved and the development is compatible with Should a relocated fuel station be permitted in an ODZ area, it may not exceed the footprint of the committed area or 1000sq.m, whichever is the smaller.

No footprint limit will apply if the relocated fuel station is within the development boundary subject to neighbourhood safety and compatibility.

The revised draft policy also excludes any sites located within 15m from the shoreline inwards of the rural coast as designated by the SPED.

The Planning Authority invites all interested parties to send in their submissions related to the proposed policy framework.

Representations are to be made in writing and sent to postal address: Planning Authority, Director of Planning, St Francis Ravelin, Floriana FRN1234 or through email: [email protected].

The latest revised changes to the Fuel Stations Policy may be viewed on the PA’s website www.pa.org.mt/consultation.

Submissions must reach the Authority by not later than 1st November 2019.