The Malta Environment and Planning Authority yesterday approved an application for a controlled facility for the receipt, sorting, processing, interim storage and the transfer/transportation of non-hazardous, non-inert wastes together with a facility for the interim storage, sorting and transfer of small amounts of hazardous wastes.

The site, which lies in the environs known as ‘Tal-Kus’, limits of Xewkija, was contested by a group of Xewkija residents and the local council with the latter claiming that the project went against Mepa’s own structure plan policies with regard to the development of Gozo.

An Alternative Site Assessment (ASA) was submitted to Mepa on 1 December 2003. Comments on the ASA were received from the Xewkija local council, the Malta

Resources Authority, the Ghajnsielem local council and the Department of Agriculture.

A late submission was received from the Department of Public Health. Within the Environment Protection Directorate and Planning Directorate, the preferred site was the site at Ta’ Brieghen, also in the limits of Xewkija. It was decided that the officers concerned would seek guidance from the Mepa Board as to which site should be subjected to an EIA. On 12 February 2004, the Mepa Board decided that the Tal-Kus site was the preferred site.

The development site covers an area of around one hectare comprising a disused quarry and its access track, the adjacent disturbed ground which has partially regenerated, and part of an agricultural field. The topography of the site is relatively flat. The southern end of the development site is occupied by the disused quarry.

Infilling has taken place along the southern quarry face. Immediately surrounding the quarry there are several areas where quarry waste or other waste has been deposited.

The site is located in the south-east of Gozo, approximately 1km south-east of Xewkija, and 1km to the south west of Ghajnsielem.

The Planning Directorate recommended the application for approval subject to the usual conditions including a previously approved Construction Management Plan, a landscaping plan and lighting schemes.