We are at the mercy of our local council, Gharghur residents against the extension of a fireworks factory told The Malta Independent.

Residents were invited to an informal meeting with Ghargur Mayor Giljan Aquilina, which he organised on the issue recently.

 “It was a very civil meeting, residents said, adding that concerns were raised however the Mayor again made it clear that the council will not be appealing the Planning Authority decision,” residents said

Aside from Ghargur residents, residents from Madliena also attended yesterday’s meeting. “Our only hope is for Environment and Resources Authority to appeal. I don’t know what we can do next, other than grin and take it,” one resident said.

In 2013, an application was submitted by St Bartholomew Fireworks Factory for an extension to its premises in Wied id-Dies, a valley located between Madliena and Gharghur. It is one of the few unspoilt valleys in the area, enjoyed by many and proposed for scheduling as a level 2 and level 3 Area of Ecological Importance.

At the time there were a number of objections to the application including those from the Department of Agriculture, the Environment Protection Directorate and the Natural Heritage Advisory Committee. The case officer had also been against the proposed extension and the matter died out, with residents thinking that that was the end of that.

But four years later things changed. The permit for the extension was issued on the 1 June 2017, two days before the general election. It is understood that the project became viable after recent changes to planning policy.

One of the main concerns raised during the meeting revolved around safety, residents said. “The Mayor kept saying that the extension would be according to policy, but this doesn’t mean it’s safe. The policy requires the construction to be 180m from residential buildings, but if there is an explosion the impact travels further, and various residents mentioned they have suffered damages in the past from fireworks explosions.”

Other safety issues were brought up relating to the valley, “which is used for recreational activities etc. It is true the extension would make the factory less dangerous but this doesn’t mean it would make it safe. The extension will separate the different aspects of firework production into different chambers, but there are two problems with this theory. The first is that with less danger, it is still not safe as it is close to houses. Residents want this factory completely moved to an area which isn’t close to residences and an area that isn’t used for recreational activities.”

The second issue, she said, was a procedural one. “The fact that the Planning Authority has made it possible for this to be relegated to the Planning Commission, a three-man-board, and that it made it possible for a permit to be issued after the application was in abeyance since 2013 with a refusal recommendation. This, for the fireworks factory guys is good news, but procedurally it is not right. There is no procedure ensuring we get all the information we need. This is not the way procedures should be handled.”

The third concern regarded the environment. “How can the Gharghur council not look after the valley and be proud of that heritage, why are they only proud of the fireworks heritage.”

This newsroom also contacted the Ghargur Mayor. “It was explained that the permit was granted according existing policies, and the project will make the fireworks factory safer.”

Told about the general concerns of the fireworks factory location he said “It is not within the council’s remit to decide if a fireworks factory is moved or not.” Told that he, as a residential representative, could make arguments for it to be moved, he said “this issue isn’t about moving it or not, it is about permission being granted according to regulations, and on that there is a general consensus, and that it would make the factory more safe.”

He said that the meeting itself was very civil.

Asked whether the new regulations would mean more fireworks will be made at the factory, he said “the PA reports make reference to this concept. This is not the scope, the scope is to make production safer. This is a Maltese tradition, so let’s make it safer. These are voluntary organisations not private firms. Their source of income will remain steady, through donations and membership.”

“Its experts from the Armed Forces, the police and the CPD saying it would make things safer, through more modern and adequate rooms, and splitting the chain into different rooms. There was a consensus in the meeting that it would make things safer, but their issues revolve around whether it would be completely safe, and that is subjective.”

Residents who spoke with this newsroom also questioned whether the factory itself is or will be insured, not knowing for sure. “If it isn’t, what will we do if our properties are damaged, if someone is injured. Dangerous operations should be covered by insurance.”