An application that would see an off-roading facility take the place of a disused quarry in Mellieha is set to be discussed by the Planning Authority Board on Thursday.

The site is on the ‘Barriera Ta' L-Ahrax’. This application would include the shifting of existing earth material found within the site, backfilling of other areas, maintenance works on existing rubble walls, the construction of a new boundary wall with overlying chain-link fence, the installation of two gates, flood lighting, the construction of a water reservoir and the placing of a temporary office, store and toilets.

The site is located outside the development zone in the immediate rural hinterland of the beach at l-Armier, surrounded by agricultural fields and bordered on the east by Triq L-Armier Iz-Zghir. It is adjacent to an Area of Ecological Importance: ‘L-Armier (Gharam tar-ramel)’.  The Planning Directorate said that site has been leased from the Kunsill Malta ghall-Isports (KMS) to the Malta Motorsport Federation (MMF).

The case officer’s report read that the intention of the Malta Motorsport Federation is to provide an interesting venue for off-road events, “generally time trials which may be used by different categories of suitably-adapted vehicles which could include trucks and motor-cycles. As such, the design within the depths of the quarry and the existing contours present the ideal design for such events, having a series of terraced tracks which can be adapted to present different challenges to the different categories. The design approach is therefore to use the depth of the site, to allow spectators to follow the event totally from above from maintained earth mounds, thereby eliminating the requirement of grand-stands.”

The report read that mineral extraction on the site had stopped in the late 1980s. “Its recent use was for dumping of sea-weed by a government entity and other debris thrown down by third parties. The proposal will see the re-modelling of the existing contours and levels to be used for specialized branches of motorsport which do not require a smooth track. Well graded back-fill will also be introduced in an irregular path, including over areas of sea-weed and through adequate compaction, achieve the desired finish to sustain the imposed stresses of the vehicles within established guide-lines of the International Federation, which would have to approve the track for competition use. The vehicles taking part in the events will be brought to the site on special trailers, and will be ready to race as soon as they are unloaded from the trailers. No fuelling, oil changes or servicing will be carried out on the site and if a car breaks down, it is loaded back and driven away. During a particular day of events, not more than 100 vehicles will be taking part and a maximum of 200 spectators. It is envisaged that the number of events which will be organised during each year will be between nine and twelve,” the report read.

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) has disagreed with the proposal. It said that the site of the proposed development is within the Ahrax area with the site also immediately adjacent to the setting protecting the Redoubt, which is scheduled by the Planning Authority at Grade 1. The SCH said that, “while noting that the application does not seem to entail direct material impact on identified cultural heritage assets, the Superintendence and the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee express concern at the intensification of development being proposed within the Ahrax area, which should be retained as a natural and cultural landscape. In light of the above, the Superintendence cannot favourably recommend this development application from a cultural heritage point of view.”

The proposal received a number of objections.

Nature Trust Malta noted that considering the old quarry has long been out of use and a cursory/visual assessment of the area indicates a thriving community of vegetation, it “is surprised that no Environment Impact Assessment is being requested especially when considering that the site is in the immediate vicinity to a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protected Area and Special Area of Conservation and Special Protected Area Ramla tat-Torri/Rdum tal-Madonna Area. The quarry sides also have a thriving rupestral community which must be assessed and accounted for. Nature Trust also noted that in the vicinity there are active agricultural fields and the ongoing high pollution (diesel) from such an activity would negatively impact such farming community and their produce. Concerns regarding noise and light pollution were also highlighted stating that floodlighting should be banned at all costs.” It said that such change of use is objectionable and one should take the opportunity to restore the area into a natural park.

Moviment Graffitti also objected, amongst others.

The Planning Directorate said that following internal discussions, the existing quarry was considered appropriate for the proposed development. Moreover, a site inspection was carried out by ERA's officers on the 21st June 2019 following which ERA requested the downscaling by reducing the site area of the development, particularly by excluding the southeast portion of the site from the proposed development. In fact, a revised site plan reflects such down scaling. Following such down scaling, ERA found no objection to the proposed development subject to a number of conditions.”

The case officer’s report read that from a planning point of view and subject to conditions, there is “no objection to the redevelopment of this disused quarry into an off-roading facility including its ancillary facilities. Hence, an approval is being recommended by the Development Management Directorate.”

The PA Board is set to discuss the application on Thursday before taking a final decision.