The architect behind the proposal to construct the motorsports track on land in Hal Far wants the government to freeze any potential negotiations for other uses of the industrial land on the site until a decision is taken on whether to construct the track there.

Last April, architect Nicholas Mallia, from Periti Studio, published a concept for a potentially fully-fledged FIA approved race track of 2.0Km and when the need arises the longer version of the track, which has a 1km road extension, can be used, lengthening it to 3.1Km length in total. The track would be able to host up to F3 level races, touring cars, classic cars etc. “It is not an industry yet locally but could become one.” The idea for the track on this site, he said, was a personal challenge for him as he does not want it to take up ODZ land. “I thought that I can do my bit for the environment and for the sport that I love.”

The site he found in Hal Far, Mallia said, is the only way that the government can construct a motorsports track without taking up land located outside the development zone. The government had pledged a motorsports track in their electoral manifesto.

Architect Nicholas Mallia told The Malta Independent that the biggest problem with his proposal is that the track would mainly take land designated for industrial uses.  Altogether, the track will need around 17 hectares (170 tumoli) of land.  9.5 of these hectares are industrial land.

Mallia said that industry have the right of first refusal, so to speak, on the industrial schemed land on the proposed site, “and by right it should. But the first question should be, do we want a track or not?  If we want one, this is the best and only area to build it in a sustainable way.”

Mallia said that to his understanding, a number of these land parcels are already being negotiated over, “in the sense that Malta Industrial Parks (MIP) would start negotiations with factories etc before applications are filed. Obviously MIP would not be very happy to let go of it.” He said that this will be a huge hurdle to overcome.

Mallia has not had any contact with MIP but knows that the Motorsports Federation has and forwarded his plans to the Infrastructure Ministry. He said that to his knowledge the federation is still awaiting feedback from the Infrastructure Ministry.  Mallia said that he did send an email to the Prime Minister with his ideas.

“If we do not step on the brakes on the development on the land on this particular site, then we will lose the last opportunity to construct the track without taking up ODZ land. We can’t step on the brakes forever, but at least we can do this temporarily until the government makes up their mind as to where they want the track built.”

He said that the Environment lobby is becoming stronger and stronger, “and rightly so, we should be absolutely ruthless when it comes to safeguarding ODZ land, and the only alternative is this.”

“Malta Industrial Parks can develop factory applications at an accelerated rate, going through Development Notification Orders. This means that these can be processed within three weeks. That means that a permit could be issued by right on the site and it becomes much harder to work round it as it would be a significant commitment. At the moment there are no buildings on the land I propose using, and the approved/ pending applications have been accommodated within the site, apart form one that is currently suspended. This is all government land.”

The proposed track he said, would also take up some land designated for sports (part of which will already partly be taken up by an approved karting track), a zone for model aircraft and a zone designated as a recreational area. With regards to the area designated for model aircraft, he said that to his understanding regardless of whether there is a track, once the area is built up they will be displaced. He said that he heard the club is in discussions already to find a new location.

The track could not only be used for motorsports either, he said, adding that whoever ends up running the track could also allow it to be used by cyclists if they want. “Abroad a number of tracks have hours and days set for cycling.  Cycling has a large sporting community in Malta, and they currently have to ride on the road which many-a-time do not have dedicated cycling lanes. Now through a track there is this possibility, where they would come to the track and cycle safely in a controlled environment without being exposed to the dangers of the road should they wish.”

The proposed facility also includes a road safety facility intended for motorists skills training.

As for concerns by the Birzebbuga residents over noise, he said that he understands it and if he lived there he would also be concerned. “There already are complaints because of drag racing. The difference is that drag racers are the biggest vehicles in motorsports, with huge engines and are virtually unrestricted, whereas circuit racers are smaller and nimbler. It’s like a David and Goliath situation, and circuit race cars are not focused on raw power. We are not comparing like with like, but there are also ways and means to mitigate noise, including through the establishment of regulations associated with the track. If a vehicle has emissions beyond a certain level for example, then it won’t be driven. Abroad it’s like that on tracks closer to residential areas.” He also said that landscaping helps, such as through the planting of many trees around the track, adding that in his plans, he has included them.

He has not yet received feedback from the environmentalist lobby, he said, adding that “but this fact seems like I have not aggravated them. If I would have I think they would have come across strongly about it.”

The architect said that if his idea becomes backed by the government, then a full consultation should take place, especially with the Birzebbuga residents.

As for who would run the track, he said that it would be up to the government.