500m rule for ODZ fuel stations is now 'unnecessary' - PA

Opposition MPs on Monday evening protested about the removal of the requirement that petrol stations in ODZ land be located no closer than 500m from each other, if on the same side of the road. 

The public consultation period comes to an end of November 1.

Discussing the new policy during an Environment Parliament Committee meeting, MPs Jason Azzopardi and Marthese Portelli questioned the wisdom of this decision, officially expressing their objection and urging the Planning Authority to reconsider.

Defending the decision, Planning Authority officials said that the addition of stringent restrictions on the take-up of ODZ land made the added 500m restriction “unnecessary.”

The “stringent restrictions” include a smaller footprint of 1,000 sqm for relocated petrol stations granted planning permission in ODZ - down from the previous 3,000 sqm - and the requirement that petrol stations be in operation when the request for their relocation is made.

Addressing potential traffic concerns, PA officials also noted that Transport Malta would now function as a “clearing agency” when it came to applications concerning petrol stations, and would have to give its go-ahead for any such...