Seveso III directive prompts revision to planning policy guidance for sites with hazardous material

The Planning Authority has published for public consultation a revision of the Supplementary Planning Policy Guidance on Major Accident Hazards and Hazardous Substances.

Back in 2005, the Authority had approved a document which set out a planning policy framework for implementing the land use planning objectives of the EU’s Seveso II Directive.

Following the adoption of a third update to the Seveso Directive, the Authority has updated the land-use policy document to take into account the resultant changes of the new Directive.

The Seveso-III Directive was adopted to take into account, amongst others, the changes in the EU legislation on the classification of chemicals and increased rights for citizens to access information and justice.

The Directive applies to more than 12,000 industrial plants in the European Union where dangerous substances are used or stored in large quantities, mainly in the chemical and petrochemical industry, as well as in fuel wholesale and storage sectors.

The revised Supplementary Planning Policy Guidance on Major Accident Hazards and Hazardous Substances document is subdivided into two parts.

Part 1 transposes the SEVESO III Directive Article 13 Land Use Planning requirements, while Part 2 sets out the planning policy guidance.

The policy document provides land-use guidance in the eventuality that new sites are proposed for the development of industrial plants which produce or operate using dangerous chemicals.

The document also concerns any modifications to existing hazardous sites or proposed developments in the vicinity of existing sites.

Today, there are 12 plants/sites in Malta for which this policy document applies.

The overarching purpose of this policy document remains that of reducing the number of people at risk and to reduce the likelihood and the extent of harm if an accident occurs.

The public and all interested stakeholders are being invited to submit their comments on the revised Supplementary Planning Policy Guidance on Major Accident Hazards and Hazardous Substances.

Representations are to be made in writing and sent through e-mail address: [email protected].

The proposed policy document together with the public submissions received during the initial phase of consultation are available on the Authority’s website www.pa.org.mt/consultation

Submissions are to reach the Authority by tomorrow.