Appendix I

Appendix I - EIA Screening
PA file no.:
TRK156777
Other reference:
EA 00025/14
Project Title:
Construction of Greenhouses Including South Facing Integrated Solar Panels
Cladding and Construction of a Tool Room, Substation and Underground Water
Reservoir
Location:
Field in Triq Bieb ir-Ruwa, Tal-Ħafa, Fiddien, Rabat, Malta
Screening date:
November 2014
1. Description of Proposal
1.1
Outline of project/development
TRK156777 is a development application which proposes the construction of greenhouses
including south facing integrated solar panels cladding and construction of a tool room,
substation and underground water reservoir at a field in Triq Bieb ir-Ruwa, Tal-Ħafa, Fiddien,
Rabat, Malta.
The proposed project comprises a greenhouse complex covering approximately 11,500m²,
having a maximum height of 3.5m, and a state of the art Solar Farm (SF) of 900kWp (on top
of the greenhouse complex) in a plot of arable land. The aim of the proposal is to start
producing various kinds of fully organic vegetables/fruits for the local market and potentially
for export. Part of the proposal will be gradually changed to aero farming. With this type of
farming, the consumption of water is 90% less than today’s traditional farming, and
vegetables are fully organic given no pesticides are required. The project will make full use of
rainwater harvesting with the capability to produce more water by condensation. Agricultural
produce will double through the use of sunlight during the day and LED light during the night.
1.2
Site description and related considerations
The site is a trapezium shaped field of arable land measuring circa 230m long and 110m wide
and located on a Blue Clay slope at an altitude of 140m above sea level, gently sloping to the
east (1:40). The field measures 28,740m². To the north it is bordered by the road leading to
Baħrija and lies adjacent to the Fiddien covered water reservoir, while to the south it is
bordered by the watercourse of Wied il-Busbies running parallel to the road leading to
Mtaħleb.
The surrounding land (Figure 1), is currently dominated by agricultural land uses. Most of the
agricultural fields are dry land (bali) which are regularly tilled.
The site is located Outside Development Zone (ODZ) and within a Level 3 Area of Ecological
Importance (AEI) buffer zone of Wied Liemu to Wied taċ-Ċawsli valley system (as per
Government Notice 1236 of 2012). The site is already committed for the construction of a 550
meters greenhouse (PA03408/07 - To construct greenhouse and carry out repairs on existing
boundary walls and reservoir under greenhouse) as indicated in Figure 5.
The site also abuts: (i) to the north - the Chadwick Lakes and part of Mdina Area of High
Landscape Value (AHLV) (Government Notice 1236 of 2012); (ii) to the south - a Level 2 Area
of Ecological Importance (AEI) - Wied Liemu to Wied taċ-Ċawsli, and a Level 2 Site of
Scientific Importance (SSI) for rare species at Wied il-Busbies and Il-Wied tal-Fiddien (both
under Government Notice 1236 of 2012).
The proposal lies over 1 km from the development zone of Rabat.
Figure 1: Aerial image of the site and its surroundings.
Figure 2: Aerial image of the site as in 2014.
Figure 3: Proposed Block Plan.
Figure 4: Proposed 3D-View of the site as seen from the north.
Figure 5: Approved Layout of PA03408/07.
2. EIA-relevant history
2.1 Relevant EIA/screening criteria (citations refer to L.N. 114 of 2007, as amended, except
where otherwise specified):
Schedule 1A Category II Section 6.5.2.1 – Greenhouses or structures to protect crops with an
area of more than 1ha.
2.2
Version of documents used for screening:
th
1. PDS dated 30 October 2014.
3. Screening Matrix
Ques
tion
Num
ber:
Questions to be
Considered
1
Will construction,
operation
or
decommissioning
of the Project
involve
actions
which will cause
physical changes
in the locality
(topography,
landuse, changes
in water bodies,
etc)?
Identified potential impacts
Is this likely to result in a significant
effect?
Document
reference
Briefly describe
Briefly justify
Yes. The proposal has a site
area
of
approximately
28,000sqm, located Outside
Development Zone in a plot
of arable land currently
undeveloped. The proposal
seeks the construction of a
greenhouse
complex
of
approx. 11500sqm, tool room
(approx. 40sqm), substation
(approx.
30sqm),
two
underground water reservoirs
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
No significant impacts are envisaged
given that the use will remain agricultural.
In addition, there will be no concrete
paving
beneath
the
greenhouses.
Concrete will only be used for
foundations. Minor excavations and hard
surfacing (for ancillary facilities) works are
envisaged. Furthermore, part of the site is
already committed for the construction of
a 550 meters greenhouse (PA03408/07 -
PDS Pg. 7,
17, 20, 24
Ques
tion
Num
ber:
2
3
4
Questions to be
Considered
Identified potential impacts
Is this likely to result in a significant
effect?
Document
reference
Briefly describe
Briefly justify
(approx. 150sqm each), and
three parking spaces (approx.
100sqm).
To construct greenhouse and carry out
repairs on existing boundary walls and
reservoir under greenhouse).
Will construction
or operation of
the Project use
natural resources
such as land,
water, materials
or
energy,
especially
any
resources which
are
nonrenewable or in
short supply?
Yes. During construction, the
proposal will make use of
natural resources such as
franka stone blocks, land,
cement, steel and fuel. During
operation,
electricity
and
water will be consumed. All of
the above resources are
neither renewable nor in such
short supply as to be
markedly affected by this
project per se.
Yes 
Will the Project
involve
use,
storage,
transport,
handling
or
production
of
substances
or
materials
or
energy,
especially
any
resources which
could be harmful
to human health
or
the
environment
or
raise
concerns
about actual or
perceived risks to
human health?
Will the Project
produce
solid
wastes
during
construction,
operation
or
decommissioning
?
Yes. Fugitive dust emissions
during
excavation
and
construction. This may have
an impact on the surrounding
environment.
During operation, given the
nature of the proposal
(intensive
farming
within
greenhouses) no impacts are
envisaged.
Yes. Waste is expected to be
generated
during
both
construction and operation.
Solid waste will be generated
during proposed excavation
works (for reservoirs).
Waste
arising
during
operation is expected to be
minimal
(repairs
of
greenhouses
–
glass/plastic/metal,
mobile
toilet waste) and may be
adequately managed and
absorbed into local waste
No 
Unclear 
Impacts on the land resource are not
expected to be significant – reply to
question 1 refers. The rest of the
resources required for this project per se
are also not likely to have a significant
impact. Part of the proposal also includes
the construction and operation of a state
of the art Solar Farm (SF) of 900kWp on
top of the greenhouses. The project will
make full use of rainwater harvesting with
the capability to produce more water by
condensation. The PDS also states that
the owner also plans to gradually change
about 40 % of the effort to aero farming
(at a later stage).
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
PDS Pg. –
7, 15, 24
PDS Pg. –
33, 36
No, impact is not considered to be
significant given the limited ancillary
facilities being proposed. Standard
mitigation measures for dust control,
which is a temporary impact, can be
enforced in accordance with the
Environmental Management Construction
Site Regulations 2007, thus reducing
impacts.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
No. Minimal waste is expected to be
generated during all stages of the
proposal. Furthermore, any other waste
during construction shall be adequately
managed and absorbed into local waste
streams. The soil removed during both
excavation works and hard surfacing
(including proposed structures), can be
reused on site.
PDS Pg. –
29 - 30, 33,
36
Ques
tion
Num
ber:
Questions to be
Considered
Identified potential impacts
Is this likely to result in a significant
effect?
Document
reference
Briefly describe
Briefly justify
streams.
5
6
Will the project
release pollutants
or
any
hazardous, toxic
or
noxious
substances
to
air?
Will the Project
cause noise and
vibration
or
release of light,
heat, energy or
electromagnetic
radiation?
Yes. Dust emissions may
occur during construction
phase. Construction vehicles
may also generate NOx
emissions.
During operation: NOx from
operational traffic.
Yes. Noise and vibration
during
excavation
and
construction.
During operation, no noise
and vibrations are expected
to be generated given nature
of
proposal
(agricultural
purposes).
Light emissions may be
generated during night-time
for agricultural produce and
security lighting.
7
Will the Project
lead to risks of
contamination of
land or water
from releases of
pollutants
onto
the ground or into
surface waters,
Yes. The proposal is located
within the Drinking-Water
Safeguard Zone as identified
by MRA under the Water
Policy
Framework
Regulations (Legal Notice
194 of 2004). Furthermore,
the development lies adjacent
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
No. During construction, fugitive dust
emissions are not considered to be
significant given the nature of proposal
(minor excavations works). Such impacts
are temporary and can be mitigated
through the application of mitigation
measures identified in the Environmental
Management
Construction
Site
Regulations (Legal Notice 295 of 2007).
During operation, amount of traffic
envisaged is minimal given nature of
proposal
(intensive
farming
within
greenhouses).
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
No. During construction works, noise and
vibration impacts are expected to be of
minor significance and of a temporary
nature.
PDS Pg. –
29 - 30, 33,
36
PDS Pg. –
29 - 30, 33,
36
All construction vehicles must be kept in
good state of repair, fitted with
appropriate
acoustic
suppression
equipment and serviced regularly to
minimise exhaust and noise emissions.
Standard mitigation measures during
construction should be enforced in
accordance with the Environmental
Management
(Construction
Site)
Regulations, 2007.
Light emissions above the current
baseline situation may be reduced
through minimum security lighting during
the night while care should be taken in the
choice of luminaries to minimise glare and
at the same time prevent the wastage of
energy. Furthermore, night-time light for
the production of agricultural produce is
not expected to be significant given that
electricity used will be from the solar
panels situated above the greenhouses.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
Since no risks of contamination of land or
water are envisaged, no significant
impacts are expected. Furthermore,
stormwater will be stored into the
reservoirs and in case of shortage of
PDS Pg. –
7, 15, 29 30, 33, 36
Ques
tion
Num
ber:
Questions to be
Considered
9
10
11
Is this likely to result in a significant
effect?
Document
reference
Briefly describe
Briefly justify
groundwater,
coastal waters or
the sea?
8
Identified potential impacts
Will there be any
risk of accidents
during
construction
or
operation of the
Project
which
could
affect
human health or
the environment?
Will the Project
result in social
changes
for
example,
in
demography,
traditional
lifestyles,
employment?
Are there any
such
factors
which should be
considered such
as
the
consequential
development
which could lead
to environmental
effects or the
potential
for
cumulative
impacts
with
other existing or
planned activities
in the locality?
Are there any
areas
on
or
around
the
location
which
are
protected
under
international
or
national or local
legislation
for
to the watercourse of Wied ilBusbies, and lies adjacent to
the Fiddien covered water
reservoir.
Given the nature of the
proposal
(greenhouses,
organic vegetables/fruits), no
contamination to surface
waters
and
groundwater
bodies is envisaged.
No increase in the risk of
accidents is envisaged, other
than ‘normal’ occupational
risks typically associated with
construction activity.
No. Considering the scale,
nature and location of the
project,
the
proposed
development is not expected
to
lead
to
significant
demographic
or
social
changes. During operation it
is being estimated that about
15
workers
shall
be
employed.
None that are known of.
water, the proposal outlined that it can
produce water out of energy through a
special industrial dehumidifier.
Additionally, the aim of the proposal is to
start producing various kinds of fully
organic vegetables/fruits for the local
market and potentially for export with
consumption of water only at max of 10%,
of the today’s traditional practice.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
/
No significant environmental impacts are
envisaged during both construction and
operation.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
PDS
30
No significant changes are expected.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
/
No significant impacts are envisaged, on
the understanding that the major
structures
(greenhouses)
proposed
development are of a reversible nature.
Long-term
pressures
leading
to
development of permanent structures on
the site in question need to be avoided.
Yes. The site is located
Outside Development Zone
(ODZ) and within a Level 3
Area
of
Ecological
Importance (AEI) buffer zone
of Wied Liemu to Wied taċĊawsli valley system (as per
Government Notice 1236 of
2012).
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
No significant impacts are envisaged.
Replies to Questions 1 and 7 refer.
/
Pg.
Ques
tion
Num
ber:
Questions to be
Considered
13
Is this likely to result in a significant
effect?
Document
reference
Briefly describe
Briefly justify
their ecological,
landscape,
cultural or other
value,
which
could be affected
by the project?
12
Identified potential impacts
Are there any
areas
on
or
around
the
location
which
are important or
sensitive
for
reasons of their
ecology
e.g.
wetlands,
watercourses or
other
water
bodies,
the
coastal
zone,
mountains,
forests
or
woodlands, which
could be affected
by the project?
Are there any
areas
on
or
around
the
location
which
are
used
by
protected,
important
or
sensitive species
of fauna or flora
e.g. for breeding,
nesting, foraging,
resting,
over
wintering,
migration, which
could be affected
by the project?
1
The site also abuts: (i) the
Chadwick Lakes and part of
Mdina
Area
of
High
Landscape Value (AHLV)
(Government Notice 1236 of
2012) to the north, while to (ii)
the south a Level 2 Area of
Ecological Importance (AEI) Wied Liemu to Wied taċĊawsli, and a Level 2 Site of
Scientific Importance (SSI) for
rare species at Wied ilBusbies and Il-Wied talFiddien
(both
under
Government Notice 1236 of
2012).
Reply to Question 11 refers.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
/
No significant impacts are envisaged.
Replies to Questions 1 and 7 refer.
Reply to Question 11 refers.
Furthermore, given that the
area is surrounded by the
above mentioned protected
areas, there may be species
and habitats which are
protected and that could
potentially be affected as a
result of the proposal through
1
noise, dust and light impacts .
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
No significant impacts are envisaged.
Replies to Questions 1, 5, 6 and 7 refer.
No feedback was received during internal consultation on the type of species present in the area.
/
Ques
tion
Num
ber:
Questions to be
Considered
14
Are there any
inland,
coastal,
marine
or
underground
waters
on or
around
the
location
which
could be affected
by the project?
Are there any
areas or features
of high landscape
or scenic value
on or around the
location
which
could be effected
by the project?
Are there any
routes or facilities
on or around the
location
which
are used by the
public for access
to recreation or
other
facilities,
which could be
affected by the
project?
15
16
17
18
19
Identified potential impacts
Is this likely to result in a significant
effect?
Document
reference
Briefly describe
Briefly justify
Are there any
transport routes
on or around the
location
which
are susceptible to
congestion
or
which
cause
environmental
problems, which
could be affected
by the project?
Is the project in a
location where it
is likely to be
highly visible to
many people?
Are there any
areas or features
of
historic
or
cultural
importance on or
around
the
location
which
Yes. Reply to Question 7
refers.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
/
Reply to Question 7 refers.
Yes. The site also abuts to
the north the Chadwick Lakes
and part of Mdina Area of
High
Landscape
Value
(AHLV) (Government Notice
1236 of 2012).
Yes. The proposed site is
bordered by the road leading
to Baħrija (Triq ta’ Bieb irRuwa) to the north, while to
the south it is bordered by the
road leading to Mtaħleb.
No. The surrounding roads
are not subject to congestion.
Given the nature (intensive
agricultural activities) of the
proposal, minimal traffic is
expected to be generated
during both construction and
operation.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
No significant impacts are envisaged
since the development will be visually
mitigated
through
an
effective
landscaping scheme which will be
introduced around the site’s perimeter
(Figures 3-5 above refer).
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
/
PDS
Pg.
17, 21
No significant impacts are envisaged.
During both construction and operation,
given the nature of the proposal. Minimal
traffic is expected to be generated, from
which no change in traffic flows is
envisaged.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
/
No significant impacts are envisaged.
Yes.
The
proposal
is
surrounded by higher ground
and therefore highly visible.
The area is popular for
recreational
purposes
especially commuters (during
weekends) visiting the Baħrija
and Mtaħleb areas.
Yes 
No further areas or features
of
historic
or
cultural
importance on or around the
location were identified other
than those acknowledged in
Question 11.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
/
Replies to Questions 1 and 15 refer.
No 
Unclear 
No significant impacts are envisaged
especially given that minor excavations
and hard surfacing (for ancillary facilities)
are being proposed.
/
Ques
tion
Num
ber:
20
21
22
23
24
Questions to be
Considered
Identified potential impacts
Is this likely to result in a significant
effect?
Document
reference
Briefly describe
Briefly justify
could be affected
by the project?
Is the project
located
in
a
previously
undeveloped
area where there
will be loss of
greenfield land?
Yes. The proposal is located
Outside Development Zone,
in a plot of arable land
currently undeveloped land
with
a
site
area
of
approximately 28,000sqm.
Yes 
Unclear 
/
No significant impacts are envisaged.
Reply to Question 1 refers.
Are there existing
land uses on or
around
the
location
e.g.
homes, gardens,
other
private
property,
industry,
commerce,
recreation, public
open
space,
community
facilities,
agriculture,
forestry, tourism,
mining
or
quarrying which
could be affected
by the project?
Are there any
plans for future
land uses on or
around
the
location
which
could be affected
by the project?
Are there any
areas
on
or
around
the
location
which
are
densely
populated or built
up, which could
be affected by
the project?
Yes. The proposal lies within
a rural context surrounded
mostly by agricultural fields
with the closest built up area
being
a
Category
3
Residential
Settlement
located over 800 meters from
the site. The surrounding
area
is
popular
for
recreational
purposes
especially commuters (during
weekend) visiting the Baħrija
and Mtaħleb areas.
Yes 
No. There are no major future
plans for land uses other than
those existing in the area.
Yes 
Are there any
areas
on
or
around
the
location
which
No, none that are known of.
No. The proposal lies within a
rural
context
surrounded
mostly by agricultural fields,
with the closest built up area
being
a
Category
3
Residential
Settlement
located over 800 meters
away from the site. The
proposal is also over 1 km
from the development zone of
Rabat, and therefore it is
unlikely to have any effect on
such residents given the type
and nature of the proposal.
No 
No 
Unclear 
/
No major significant impacts are
envisaged given that the proposal
involves the construction of greenhouses
which are related to agricultural activity.
Furthermore, the development will be
visually mitigated through an effective
landscaping scheme which will be
introduced around the site’s perimeter
(Figures 3-5 above refer).
No 
Unclear 
/
No significant impacts are envisaged.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
/
No significant impacts are envisaged.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
No significant impacts are envisaged.
/
Ques
tion
Num
ber:
25
26
27
Questions to be
Considered
Identified potential impacts
Is this likely to result in a significant
effect?
Document
reference
Briefly describe
Briefly justify
are occupied by
sensitive
land
uses
e.g.
hospitals,
schools, places
of
worship,
community
facilities
which
could be affected
by the project?
Are there any
areas
on
or
around
the
location
which
contain
important,
high
quality or scarce
resources
e.g.
groundwater,
surface waters,
forestry,
agriculture,
fisheries, tourism,
minerals, which
could be affected
by the project?
Are there any
areas
on
or
around
the
location
which
have
already
subject
to
pollution
or
environmental
damage
e.g.
where
existing
legal
environmental
standards
are
exceeded, which
could be affected
by the project?
Is the project
location
susceptible
to
earthquakes, or
subsidence,
landslides,
erosion, flooding
or extreme or
adverse climatic
conditions
e.g.
temperature
inversions, fogs,
severe
winds,
Yes. Refer to Questions 1
and 7 above.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
/
Replies to Questions 1 and 7 refer.
No such areas are known of.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
/
No significant impacts envisaged, and the
proposed development is not expected to
introduce major environmental impacts.
No. The likelihood of such
extreme events in the area
can be considered to be
minimal.
Yes 
No 
Unclear 
No significant impacts are envisaged as a
result of the proposed development per
se.
/
Ques
tion
Num
ber:
Questions to be
Considered
Identified potential impacts
Is this likely to result in a significant
effect?
Briefly describe
Briefly justify
which
could
cause the project
to
present
environmental
problems?
Document
reference