LOS PLANES REGIONALES EN EL PACÍFICO COLOMBIANO: “DESARROLLO” Y RECONOCIMIENTO

6.28 The management of all inert and non-inert waste arisings requiring disposal is currently undertaken by landfilling and landraising. The current management and operational standards of the existing landfill / landraising facilities is not considered adequate. Consequently, replacement engineered voidspace will be required during this Plan period.

6.29 The implementation of strategies to reduce reliance on landfill will require time to be planned and implemented. Additional landfill capacity will be required regardless of whether other waste treatment options are developed. The choice of location for strategic new facilities is restricted within the Maltese Islands by environmental constraints, as indicated in Chapter 3 and by the criteria listed in Appendix I.

6.30 Studies have been undertaken by the Planning Authority (February 1997 and September 1997) to identify suitable sites on Gozo and Malta. Potential locations were identified though this process and these are shown on the Key Diagram. It was anticipated that further site investigations and detailed assessment would be required to establish the overall suitability of the preferred site.

6.31 The conclusion of the studies undertaken to date suggest that the favoured approach is for the development of a single new landfill facility at L-Ghallis ta’Gewwa. This would accept wastes from all the Islands. It is anticipated that no new landfill facilities will be developed on Gozo or Comino.

6.32 Chapter 4 identifies the current and potential future waste arisings requiring disposal in the Maltese Islands. This assessment identifies the large quantities of inert waste requiring disposal. The potential pollution issues related to the disposal of non-inert wastes are much greater than those associated with inert wastes. Consequently, non- inert wastes require to be disposed in voidspace that has been specifically engineered for this purpose. Voidspace intended for the disposal of non-inert and special waste streams must therefore be reserved for this purpose.

6.33 In certain circumstances landfilling can provide benefits by reclaiming derelict land or creating new land uses of benefit to the public or the wider environment. Waste disposal has long been associated with mineral workings in order to provide beneficial restoration. However, it is recognised that many mineral workings within the Maltese Islands, in particular on sensitive limestone aquifers, are not geologically suitable for the disposal of

Strategic Waste Management Policies

continued

6

biodegradable wastes. Technical guidance contained in the UK’s Waste Management Paper 26B indicates that disposal of waste by landraising can have environmental benefits in the form of better control of environmentally damaging processes such as leachate formation, groundwater pollution and gas control. Where there is a need for additional landfill capacity, this may be preferable to permitting the infilling of mineral extraction voids where suitable materials are not available or where there is a high risk of damage to water resources or other features of acknowledged importance.

Policy SWM20

The Planning Authority will consider proposals for the development of

additional landfill capacity for inert and non-hazardous wastes at the following locations:

(a) extensions or modifications to existing operational landfill sites;

(b) small scale sites where the benefits of the scheme outweigh any adverse impacts that the development is likely to cause;

(c) former mineral workings or derelict sites that cannot be satisfactorily reclaimed in any other way;

(d) strategic new landfilling locations which accord with the site selection criteria provided in this Plan;

provided that:

(i) it can be demonstrated that there is a need for the development and the waste could not be practically disposed of in any other way;

(ii) the proposal would not create an unacceptable increase in traffic impact or perpetuate existing unacceptable traffic impacts;

(iii) the proposal will not give rise to unacceptable impacts on local communities or the environment;

(iv) the proposal includes restoration and aftercare obligations; and (v) it is supported by an Environmental Impact Assessment which satisfies

the requirements of the Planning Authority and the Environment Protection Department.

Policy SWM21

Subject to the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment and the provisions of this Plan’s policies, there will be a presumption in favour of the development of a new landfill facility, for the disposal of non-hazardous, and special and hazardous wastes (excluding inert wastes), at L-Ghallis ta’Gewwa.

Strategic Waste Management Policies

continued

6

6.34 Landraising has the potential for the introduction of highly visible and noisy operations into the countryside, and can involve the development of previously undeveloped land for waste disposal. Special consideration of such proposals, in addition to those policies that apply to other landfilling proposals (SWM20 and SWM21), is necessary.

Policy SWM22

Proposals for the disposal of waste by landraising will be considered having regard to the following criteria:

(i) it can be demonstrated that there is a need for the development and the waste cannot be practicably disposed of in any other way;

(ii) the benefits of the proposal outweigh any adverse environmental impacts which it is likely to cause;

(iii) the impact of the operations on the amenities of the area, including the visual impact and disturbance caused by noise and operation of plant; (v) the intended operational life of the site;

(vi) the proposal include restoration and aftercare obligations;

(v) the scale and visual impact of the permanent changes to the local

landscape (proposals for landraising will be discouraged in Areas of High Landscape Value); and

(vi) the scope for improvements to the landscape or screening of the waste or other developments.

Disposal at Sea

6.35 A limited amount of inert construction waste is currently disposed of at sea in an official dumpsite. Nevertheless it is considered to have significant potential for marine pollution. It is, therefore, the Planning Authority’s view that dumping at sea should be avoided as much as practicably possible.

6.36 Disposal at sea should be considered as an option of last resort and should only be considered when all other land based disposal options have been discounted. Under special circumstances disposal of certain controlled inert wastes may be appropriate for example as part of coastal reclamation or construction projects and where it can be demonstrated that adverse environmental impacts will not occur. The identification of sites for such projects, including land reclamation schemes, should be guided by the provisions set out in policy SWM 24 and other appropriate policies of the Structure Plan and be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment process.

6.37 On-going disposal at the official dumpsite will require improved regulation and

assessment. All dump sites need to establish environmental monitoring programmes. Monitoring of environmental parameters should include regular sampling both on the

Strategic Waste Management Policies

continued

6

location of the dumpsite as well as in established control stations in the vicinity of the dumpsite (for comparative purposes). All disposal operations at sea are bound by obligations set out in international agreements such as the Barcelona Convention and the London Dumping Protocol.

6.38 The only wastes that could be considered for dumping-at-sea are inert wastes originating from construction and demolition activities. This category specifically excludes the dumping of Municipal Solid Waste and waste originating from industrial and/or

commercial activities (other than inert waste). Inert wastes that have been contaminated with other types of waste cannot be considered suitable for dumping-at-sea, unless pre- treated and rendered completely inert

Policy SWM23

There is a presumption against the disposal of wastes at sea. Disposal of inert wastes would only be permitted at an official dumpsite if the proposal meets the following criteria:

(i) The proposal needs to demonstrate that land-based disposal alternatives have been discounted and that disposal at sea is the Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO);

(ii) Only uncontaminated inert waste originating from construction and demolition activities shall be acceptable for dumping-at-sea;

(iii) Disposal of waste at sea will only be allowed in dumping sites, whether new or existing, that have an environmental monitoring programme in place and established control stations in the vicinity.

Policy SWM24

Proposals for new dumpsites will need to demonstrate (through an EIA process) that marine ecosystems and features of acknowledged importance would not be adversely affected.

In particular disposal at sea will not be permitted in the following areas:

• Where disposal would have an adverse impact on existing legitimate uses and activities, such as fish farms, bunkering sites and other maritime activities;

• Fisheries grounds of economic significance;

• Breeding, nursery or feeding grounds for species of economic/ecological significance;

• Marine Conservation Areas;

Strategic Waste Management Policies

continued

6

• Areas containing meadows of the sea-grass Posidonia oceanica;

• On or close to reefs;

• In large shallow inlets and bays;

• Important marine archaeological sites;

• Other areas that have habitats that require the designation of Special Areas of Conservation as listed in Annex 1 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC;

• In areas where material is likely to be carried towards sensitive sites (as listed above) along the shore.

The only environmental impacts that will be acceptable are those caused by the physical effects of the dumped material. These physical effects include localised habitat change due to cover by dumped material.

Assessment of any proposals for dumping waste at sea should include an extensive assessment of the land based impacts that would arise from vehicles transferring waste to the transportation vessels and also from the construction of transfer facilities on quays.