I refer to correspondence and news items on the issue of a permit for a supermarket in Safi.

The permit recently issued for a supermarket in the vicinity of Kirkop and Safi does not conflict with the emerging “Policy and design guidance on agriculture, farm diversification and stables”, which has been approved by MEPA Board and is awaiting ministerial approval.

After evaluating the Planning Directorate’s assessment and recommendations, the DCC board took into consideration the following factors:

The site is located on the main road between Safi and Kirkop, and is approximately 100m from the building scheme. It is also opposite a secondary school. As such, the board felt that the supermarket provided an essential service to the communities of the villages.

Part of the site in question is a derelict farm building. In line with emerging policy, disused or abandoned farms so close to development zone boundaries cannot be used for livestock farming, and so other uses are acceptable.

The proposed use is not in conflict with adjacent legitimate uses such as the school and the urban areas of the surrounding villages.

Once these factors were considered, the DCC felt that the application could be acceptable in principle, and therefore requested the carrying out of a Traffic Impact Statement to assess the possible impacts of the proposal. The results of the Traffic Impact Statement were acceptable, and all traffic management improvements recommended were included in the permit conditions.

Moreover, Mepa would like to point out that it received no objections from third parties during the consultation period.

Sylvana DeBono

Mepa Public Relations Officer