The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) is publishing, for public consultation, a Policy and Design Guidance document which it said will “seek to establish clear and appropriate planning parameters for the processing of development applications related to cemeteries. The document also makes provision for the introduction of alternatives to burial.”

The Authority said that “while the guidance document is proposing that the construction of new cemeteries will be prohibited, extensions to or additional graves within existing cemeteries will only be permissible provided that sufficient justification is made through a cemetery management plan. In determining whether a development proposal is acceptable, various studies (e.g. hydrological, geological and pedological surveys) will need to be carried out to assess the cumulative impact of the proposed development.”

The policy and design guidance also sets design criteria determining extent of land take-up, methods of construction, appropriate structures within cemeteries, landscaping and perimeter treatment, access and car parking, maintenance and upgrading, and the sustainable management of burial space.

MEPA said that where an extension is justifiable, the proposed policy encourages that the facilities of the existing cemetery are considerably improved to include storage rooms, a visitors’ room and sanitary facilities so as to cater for funerary services which can be used by persons of any religion or rite.

The document takes into account the relevant legislative and planning policy frameworks at European and National level. “These form the basis for the evaluation of proposals in relation to distance from other developments, protected areas and sites, physical constraints and determine what studies and assessments need to be carried out,” MEPA said.

“The document highlights the importance of introducing methods of funerary techniques as an alternative to burial on land which in the long term will result in the reduced need for extensions to cemeteries. The proposed guidance document also recommends that the Maltese legislation should be amended so as to allow above ground burials to be carried out,” MEPA said.

Last December, the Authority had published the proposed objectives which were to guide the formulation of this proposed policy and design guidance. The Authority said that it is also publishing the submissions it had received from the public and other stakeholders, related to the proposed policy objectives and the Authority’s reaction to them.

The draft policy can be viewed on the Authority’s website www.mepa.org.mt/public-consultation. Individuals and organisations are being invited to send their submissions pertaining to this draft policy in writing to:

MEPA,

Director of Planning,

Policy and Design Guidance for Cemeteries,

P.O. Box 200, Marsa MRS 1000;

or through email address: cemeteries.policy@mepa.org.mt.

Submissions should reach the Authority by 6th June 2014.

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