Ten NGOs have condemned what they call a “deceptive public consultation exercise” issued by the Planning Authority at the end of November, “which under the guise of extending ODZ land, aims in reality to change the Ħal Far Local Plan” to accommodate an agreement entered into between three government agencies and the Ħal Far Model Flying Association in February 2022.
This agreement had transferred public land for the building of an airstrip for model aeroplanes in Wied Żnuber, in an area currently designated for industrial development.
“Among the proposed amendments put forward by this public consultation exercise one finds ‘To consider the allocation of a minor portion of the site shown in MAP 1 for low-impact sports‘ and ‘To provide policy guidelines on the future use and development parameters of the low-impact sports area’.”
The NGOs urged the public to show its disagreement with this proposal by sending an email to [email protected] by Thursday 21 December.
“It is clear that the primary aim of these proposed changes to the Local Plan is that of paving the way for the development of an airstrip for model aeroplanes that is, so far, not a type of development allowed by the Local Plan for the area. It is unacceptable that the Local Plan is changed to accommodate a specific agreement, signed behind everyone’s back and without any public consultation, rather than via an exercise that seeks the common good, environmental protection, and sound planning. This makes a farce out of the whole planning process.”
The organisations also note that the map provided by the consultation exercise does not show which part would become ODZ and which part will be allocated “for a vague and undefined ‘low-impact sports’.“
As has been repeatedly highlighted by the Birżebbuġa community and NGOs supporting their demands, the NGOs said, “a miniature airstrip will impact residents severely as they will lose the present peace of Wied Żnuber for the entertainment of the few. Wied Żnuber is one of the few remaining natural sites in Birżebbuġa and its surroundings; a place that is already burdened with over development that has negatively impacted the quality of life.”
The place in question contains many precious historic remains, such as the prehistoric dolmen and the military shelter, as well as the protected fauna and flora of an increasingly endangered habitat – garigue and rock habitats where rainwater ponds form, the NGOs said.
“The site is also adjacent to a Natura 2000 site where shearwaters nest and serves as a buffer zone between this protected site and surrounding factories. A miniature airstrip in the area, besides taking undeveloped land, will pollute the entire area with loud noise and light.”
“Regardless of the size of the land taken by the airstrip, flying noisy model aeroplanes from this site over a larger area will have a very invasive impact on all of the valley, the cliffs, and the sea. The NGOs reiterate that, as had been promised by the Prime Minister in the run-up to the March 2022 general elections, all of the area which forms part of the Wied Żnuber valley should become ODZ so as to protect both the natural environment of the area as well as the quality of life of Birżebbuġa residents and visitors.”
The ten NGOs are: Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa, Għaqda Residenti Żurrieq, Moviment Graffitti, BirdLife Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Friends of the Earth Malta, Nature Trust – FEE Malta, Ramblers’ Association Malta, Għawdix