Plans to redevelop a disused explosives factory into a tourism development on land located outside the development zone in Dingli have resurfaced, The Malta Independent can reveal.

The Pulvic Explosives Factory, located on Triq il-Qaws in Dingli, has seen a couple of controversial applications filed in the past. The development site (known as Il-Qaws) is situated in between 'L-Irdum ta' l-Iħfar' and 'Ix-Xagħra tal-Qaws'. It is located on high ground overlooking the scenic Mtaħleb and Dingli cliffs. The immediately surrounding areas are dominated by garrigue type habitat that extends all along the cliffs and along the fringes of existing agricultural land. Currently, the site consists of a number of 1 storey high rooms having a total built up area of 1,645sqm.

In 2017, an Outline Permit application proposing the demolition of the existing explosives factory and re-development into an Eco-spa and resort was filed. A number of NGOs as well as members of the general public had objected to the proposed application, and the Environment and Resources Authority also said that the proposal was objectionable. The application was eventually withdrawn by the applicant.

In 2020, a different application was filed, proposing the redevelopment of the existing explosives factory into residential units and ancillary facilities. The existing building used as administration block was to retain its current use. The application also included soft and hard landscaping as well as the construction of a pool. The Environment and Resources Authority had said that this proposal was "strongly objectionable from an environmental point of view." The application was then withdrawn by the applicant.

Now, another application for a tourism development was filed. This latest application, proposes a return to the tourism development idea, but with differences to the 2017 application. The present proposed tourism development will comprise of 10 separate one floor blocks with pools and ancillary facilities. The proposal includes the upgrading of landscaping and the reinstatement of rubble walls.

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has also commented on the current proposal. "The site and its surroundings are protected under various designations, with the specific aim of protecting the overall integrity of the coastal cliffs and their rural surroundings against development pressures and other anthropogenic impacts." The ERA highlights that the they fall within a Natura 2000 site, within a scheduled Area of Ecological Importance and within an Area of High Landscape Value.

"ERA acknowledges that the choice of location of particular hazardous developments such as explosives factories, may often be constrained by safety considerations and may thus need to be located away from residential areas. ERA does not support the principle that such development should serve as a pretext for committing sites for further development, however it notes the current built commitments on site. It is also to be noted that the ERA had expressed its overall objection vis-à-vis the proposed redevelopment of an Eco-spa and resort in 2017 and the other 2020 proposal, also considering the extensive intensification of development that would have been introduced by those proposals. Compared to what has been proposed in previous applications, the proposed development in this current application has been downsized and generally contained within the existing massing."

The applicant subsequently filed a Project Description Statement (PDS) with the ERA after being requested to do so, which the latter reviewed. The PDS reads that there will be 14 units in all split into eight 2-bedroom units and six 3-bedroom units. "All units will have an outdoor pool and deck respectively. The height of each block will practically be similar to those currently found on site. There will also be a Management Block replacing an existing building... The Block will serve as a reception area where one can check-in and will have ancillary facilities such as luggage store, linen store and vending machines for the patrons to have access to basic commodities without having to leave the complex."

"The Scheme aims to offer a high quality product for a particular niche market of tourism in line with the objectives found in the Vision 2030 National Tourism Policy issued by the Ministry for Tourism. The target is to attract visitors seeking a relaxed holiday with an exceptional experience in a unique and tranquil environment away from large crowds. The main clients being targeted are the upper bracket high spending group of tourists and locals. This market segment performs very well during the low and shoulder periods," The PDS reads.

ERA said that screening concluded that the proposal does not require an Environment Impact Assessment. It also concluded that the proposal is not expected to have any significant impacts on the integrity of the habitats, species and the Natura 2000 site as a whole, as long as various preventive and/or mitigation measures are duly incorporated into the mainstream development consent mechanism and addressed by means of conditions. "The ERA has no objection to this proposal," subject to a number of conditions it wants imposed.