Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar

[serpent]

Is anybody in here monitoring the outrageous church application for a large cemetery to be built on cultivated land next to the military cemetery in the Pembroke/St.Patrick's area?

[KennethJ]

Thanks for your post.

The issue of cemeteries and their expansion has always been a tortorous one.

From the outset religous overtones are dominant in any negotiations. Private graves, public ones, the rights to exhume, the right to cremate, together with the "normal" infringement on other properties when expanding are very personal issues, and a headache to all parties concerned.

I am answering here in my own capacity, since FAA does not have any policy in dealing with such an issue, primarily since a cemetery does not pose an environmental hazard, it still respects (if not propogates) relatively open spaces and tranquility. As FAA we are usually involved in issues which are more of a direct threat environmentally.

Can you perhaps fill us in on what you know, which is after all one of the main reasons for this message board? Are you a nearby resident? We can hopefully explore this issue together.

Regards,
Kenneth

[serpent]

What is so saddening is that cultivated land is being chosen. The Church, government or both jointly under the joint office must surely have a more suitable tract of land in the same region. I mean the barren rock-wasteland abounding in the area which can surely be embellished with the construction of a cemetery as you have correctly pointed out.
Let us be pragmatic and do things properly in respect for generations to come. FAA should take a position on this.

[KennethJ]

Planning Applications Case Details

Result output on 20/09/2006 11:18:17 PM

Disclaimer: The information below has been extracted from an on-line database and is meant only for your general guidance.The Malta Environment & Planning Authority disclaims any responsibility for any inaccuracies there may be on this site. If you wish to verify the correctness of any information then you are advised to contact us directly. Furtheremore, in the event of any discrepancies between the information contained on this site and official printed communication then the latter is to prevail, in accordance with the Development Planning Act.

Case Number Location of development Description of works Applicant Architect Reception date
03333/06 Part of Tenament 51687, Triq Sir Adrian Dingli, Pembroke Proposed cemetery; construction of graves, chapel, services annex, boundaries, gardens, parking. Rev. Joseph Sciberras Mollicone, Mr. Antonio Tuesday, May 23, 2006



Validation Date Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Target Date Thursday, December 28, 2006
Application Type Full development permission
Case Category Outside Scheme
Date Published in Newspapers Saturday, July 01, 2006
Representation Expiry Date Sunday, July 16, 2006
The standard period for Representations is 15 days. However the Authority reserves the right to reduce the representation period for special cases.
Site Notice Image :
Case Officer Jesmond Muscat


The application has been forwarded to the responsible Case Officer and is being processed

[serpent]

Will FAA take a position on this issue?

[Astrid]

Hi,

I've just seen your posting re. the Pembroke Cemetery. I must say this is a first for us at FAA. As we are constantly being asked to intervene on different issues, something we can't do since we are only a fledgling NGO with very limited resources, we have decided on a policy of backing up neighbourhood groups which approach us about threats to heritage in their locality or to their quality of life.

Can you give us more information on the cemetery in the light of the above?

Best regards,


Astrid Vella

[serpent]

I have not seen any official plans but,according to the map on MEPA’S map server, the area is quite large. The fact is that this is cultivated land about to be destroyed forever. You should go and have a look at the site and realize what I am saying.
I do not know the farmer or farmers nor do I have have any personal interest in the land whatsoever. Furthermore I live about two kilometers away.
I believe that on such issues one cannot prioritize and choose to oppose or ignore unacceptable development plans on the basis of how much backing you get from ‘neighbourhood groups’, the proximity to residential areas or on the identity of the developer-in this case, the Church of Malta. Even well wishing Ecclesiastical entities having most of the population in their fold take wrong environmental decisions and when it happens it is our duty as citizens of this country to speak up and be heard. I understand that there is a scarcity of tombs which many people, probably even members of this movement require to buy and are ready to close an environmental eye for, but there are alternative sites.

[AlexM]

Hi,
I have no idea about this development, however I believe that the Church Commission on Environment need to be made aware of this. They are rather 'autonomous' in nature and woud hopefully be able to look into the matter.

[serpent]

Very good idea. Does anybody here know how to contact this commission. Time is running out----Fast!!!!

[AlexM]

On of the members is a colleague of mine so I will notify him and see what he says about it.

[serpent]

Now if someone in here says there is nothing important being lost here, I guess I am in the wrong movement and in the wrong forum.
See for yourselves ---savemalta.zoomshare.com ---
I also have information that the plans have been amended.
We all know what that usually means!
WAKE UP!!!!