Approximately two weeks ago, Malta Industrial Parks assured Zejtun Local Council that if any industrial development was to take place, only 48,000sq meters of land would be claimed for industrial development. However on the 28th January, Malta Industrial Parks leading executive, Karl Azzopardi contrary to this told TVM that a 120,000 sq meters was being considered for industrial development.
At the end of last year, farmers who work the land in Bulebel received legal eviction letters from the government, giving them a month's notice to vacate the land. The land which belongs to the government had been loaned to farmers since the 1960s rent free. No information has been released by the government or Malta Industrial Parks as to what the industrial development would be used for.
Last week in Parliament, Economy Minister Chris Cardona said that the area in Bulebel was still marked for possible industrial development.
Speaking to The Malta Independent, Mayor of Zejtun, Maria Dolores Abela, confirmed that in consultation meetings with Malta Industrial Parks, it was assured that before any industrial development could take place; environmental, risk and social assessments and studies are to be conducted.
"Before concluding on our position we firstly wanted to meet with the concerned parties. One of them being Wirt iz-Zejtun, which is against it, and the other side which is Malta Industrial Parks, who confirmed that they are still at the preliminary stages. They told us that only 48 sq meters of land is being considered" Abela said. Malta Industrial Parks also confirmed that none of the carob trees, which are native trees and protected by law, would be touched.
"In our meeting Malta Industrial Parks also assured us that studies would be carried out on how many empty factories and other industrial sites can be used instead. Studies on whether they can build in existing factories will also be looked into. If it is concluded that this will leave a negative impact, then other sites will be evaluated" the mayor added.
The council also spoke to Minister of the economy Chris Cardona, who said he was ready to speak to residents of this area.
"After analysing the situation, our position against any industrial development was based on three things: firstly because the land has been graded of high agricultural land; two because such industrial development could mean that this would only be a 100 meters away from our residents, which is not acceptable; and three there are archaeological finds dating back to the Punic times."
"Based on this we are asking for the development area to remain how it is and to not increase. If the government is going to do something in the area, we are proposing for the creation of a regional park, which can be enjoyed by all."
Abela confirmed that she remains optimistic, mentioning that the Prime Minister had already said that if the development was to cause major issues then other alternative sites would be considered.
"From our side we are going to ensure that the studies carried out, are to be done and to be done properly" she concluded.
Along with the local council, local NGO Wirt iz-Zejtun has also expressed its opposition against any industrial development. The president of the group, Ruben Abela, had explained to this newspaper of the environmental, cultural, historic and social consequences that are at risk if any such development continues. The NGO had already conducted its own searches and found archaeological remains from the Punic times and armour dating back from the Grand Master Perellos, in the 1600s.
On the 25th February, L-Ghaqda Wirt iz-Zejtun will be holding an informative walk at Bulebel at 9:30am for all those who want to know and understand more about the cultural, social and environmental aspects of the area. The NGO is also running a petition to stop any plans for industrial development. For more information on Bulebel, the Wirth iz-Zejtun, and to sign the petition, visit https://wirtizzejtun.com/
PD calls for debate
The PD has sent a letter to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment and Development Planning, requesting a discussion on the extension of the Bulebel industrial zone.
The PD, in their letter, noted that the land is classed as high standard agricultural land, and is also an ecological zone.
They said that ODZ land is under threat, and that the SPED is clear regarding the use of ODZ land.