The Labour-led Xewkija Local Council has unanimously voted against the application for the development of an air strip within the limits of the locality.
This is yet another example of the need to mainstream social impact assessments in policy-making. Incidentally during the public consultation process carried out two years ago, on 23 May 2022, the MSA - Malta Sociological Association had asked for a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) on this proposal. The Planning Authority had also asked for a 'Social Impact Study', according to an article in Malta Today dated 16 January 2023.
To my knowledge, no Social Impact Assessment has been carried out.
Update:
The Gozo Regional Development Authority has issued a statement on the airfield issue , where it says that its public consultation process was open to everyone and that economic, social, and environmental considerations were considered. It also refers to the Regional Impact Assessment, published in July 2022. Chapter 7.2 (pp.51-55) deals with social impacts, and states that "the Social Impact Assessment carried out for the proposed project identified certain environmental impacts, that were highlighted in the Regional Impact Statement document, as social impacts." (p.52)
This confirms that no proper Social Impact Assessment was carried out.
Even though one appreciates the efforts of the GRDA, it is important to note that a social impact assessment is not a one-off exercise and has various features, such as those referred to by the International Association of Impact Assessment.
Given that the Xewkija Local Council is now opposing the airfield, this surely must be taken into consideration.
