GozoNews.Com

The Ramblers Association of Malta has added its voice to the condemnation of the decision by MEPA’s Planning Board to permit the construction of yet another petrol station.

“After the unfortunate example of the petrol station constructed on the Mellieha bypass, spoiling the first glimpse of Gozo due to its high canopy, we had hoped that no further mistakes would be committed. We understand that a certain height of canopy in such cases is necessary to allow for safety with petrol fumes but it should not result that country views are cluttered by these sprouting developments,” the association said.

“This latest rubber stamp for a petrol station at Ta Buqana, just beneath Mdina, will jar with the landscape in this historic area. It will also disrupt the view from the walls of the old capital which goes against landscape protection principles,” said the President of the Ramblers Association, Lino Bugeja.

The granting of a permit for this blot on the landscape runs contrary to the Structure Plan Policy RCO 4 governing rural conservation. The MEPA policy promises to prohibit development in rural areas if it visually dominates or disrupts the surroundings due to its mass or location.

“Under the protection of this policy the permit should never have been issued. Three existing petrol stations already close at hand in Attard, Rabat and Mosta render this latest development on the Rabat - Mosta road completely unnecessary,” said Mr Bugeja.