02nd March 2002

Proposed golf course should not be considered

The proposal for a golf course in the Habel Bellu area, near Rabat should not be considered by the Planning Authority, Moviment ghall-Ambjent, Friends of the Earth (Malta) said today.

The decision to call for an EIA on the proposed golf course should be reversed as the application clearly contravenes the Structure Plan. “Any golf courses should be located where: It can be accommodated without adverse environmental impact or loss of good quality agricultural land…Potentially suitable locations are those where positive environmental benefits can be achieved by utilising derelict land or other land requiring major environmental improvements” (POLICY TOU 12).

The Habel Ballu golf course should be ruled out for the following reasons :

- the chosen site is good agricultural land
- the site is not derelict land or land requiring environmental improvement
- a golf course would result in adverse environmental impacts

The application is for an area about as large as Angelo Xuereb’s in the vicinity. Neither of the proponents own the land in question and a case is to be made for social justice considering the impacts on the farmers in the area.

The decision to call for an EIA does not augur well at a time when the Planning Authority is assuming the responsibilities for the Environment. The PA should only consider applications that follow Structure Plan policy.