No new fuel stations will be developed on undisturbed ODZ land and the footprint of service stations is being reduced by a third in the revised fuel station policy, which will be presented to Parliament next week.

Details about the proposed changes to the controversial 2015 policy were announced during a meeting between Environment Minister Jose Herrera and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA).

Herrera had asked for a revision after the policy came under heavy fire because of the take-up of virgin land for fuel stations. The main aim of the 2015 policy was to relocate fuel stations away from village cores but environmentalists say the policy is flawed because small petrol pumps are being replaced by enormous fuel stations, complete with car wash facilities and shops, on ODZ land.

The main aim of the revision, Herrera said, was to safeguard land that lies outside the development zone (ODZ) and ERA is proposing that fuel stations applications should not be considered when they are proposed on undisturbed land. In areas that are more suitable for the development of fuel stations, there should restrictions on the size and height of the development.

ERA CEO Louise Spiteri explained the main proposals. Under the new rules fuel stations will have to be at least 1.5km apart. The current distance limit is 500 metres.

ERA is proposing that the footprint is reduced from the current 3,000 to 2,000 square metres.

Including any landscaping and ancillary facilities related only to vehicle maintenance.

There will be a height limitation of 7m (two storeys)

Developers will also be asked to contribute financially to compensate for the environmental impact.

Herrera said the government was giving the environment the importance it deserved, as it had promised in its electoral manifesto.

He thanked the ERA for its work on revising the policy.

The detailed amendments, he said, will be presented before Parliaments’s Environment and Planning Committee on Monday.