PDS for the Proposed Extension of Demountable Pier, Comino
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PDS for the Proposed Extension of Demountable Pier, Comino as per ERA requirements for the Planning Application Technical Report AIS REF. NO: PRJ-ENV477 CLIENT REF. NO: ENV333016/A/20 SECOND VERSION Publication Date 25 May 2020 ff PDS FOR THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF DEMOUNTABLE PIER, COMINO DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY Date Revision Comments Authors/Contributors 19/05/2020 1.0 First Version Joshua Gili 25/05/2020 2.0 Second Version – update to plans Joshua Gili AMENDMENT RECORD Approval Level Name Signature Internal Check Sacha Dunlop Internal Approval Mario Schembri Page | i PDS FOR THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF DEMOUNTABLE PIER, COMINO DISCLAIMER This report has been prepared by AIS Environment Limited with all reasonable skill, care and diligence, and taking account of the manpower and resources devoted to it by agreement with the client. Information reported herein is based on the interpretation of data collected and has been accepted in good faith as being accurate and valid. This report is for the exclusive use of Transport Malta; no warranties or guarantees are expressed or should be inferred by any third parties. This report may not be relied upon by other parties without written consent from AIS Environment Limited. AIS Environment Limited disclaims any responsibility to the client and others in respect of any matters outside the agreed scope of the work. Page | ii PDS FOR THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF DEMOUNTABLE PIER, COMINO Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Applicants Details ................................................................................................... 2 3.0 Project Description and Objectives .......................................................................... 3 3.1 Comino ....................................................................................................................... 3 3.2 Scheme Site and Immediate Surroundings ................................................................ 3 3.3 Scheme Development ................................................................................................ 3 3.4 Project Justification .................................................................................................... 3 4.0 Proposed Project Timing ......................................................................................... 6 5.0 Scheme Location .................................................................................................... 7 6.0 Alternative Uses, Technologies and Locations ....................................................... 11 6.1 Location .................................................................................................................... 11 6.2 Layout and Design .................................................................................................... 11 6.3 Alternative Technology ............................................................................................ 11 7.0 Physical Characteristics ......................................................................................... 14 7.1 Size, Scale and Design .............................................................................................. 14 7.1.1 Pile Design and Installation .............................................................................. 14 7.1.2 Deck Design and Installation ............................................................................ 14 7.1.3 Removal of Current Concrete Infrastructure ................................................... 15 7.2 Number of Employees ............................................................................................. 18 8.0 Land Uses & Environmental Characteristics ........................................................... 19 8.1 Land Uses ................................................................................................................. 19 8.1.1 Ecological ......................................................................................................... 21 8.1.2 Commercial ...................................................................................................... 25 8.1.3 Public Amenities............................................................................................... 26 8.1.4 Existing Concrete Structures ............................................................................ 27 8.2 Geology, Geomorphology and Hydrology................................................................ 28 8.2.1 Geology and Geomorphology .......................................................................... 28 8.2.2 Soils .................................................................................................................. 28 8.2.3 Hydrology ......................................................................................................... 29 9.0 Services Available on Site ..................................................................................... 34 10.0 Nature and Quantities of Raw Material, Energy, Waste and Machinery Used ..... 35 10.1 Raw Materials .......................................................................................................... 35 Page | iii PDS FOR THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF DEMOUNTABLE PIER, COMINO 10.1.1 Construction Phase ...................................................................................... 35 10.1.2 Operational Phase ........................................................................................ 35 10.2 Energy ...................................................................................................................... 35 10.2.1 Construction Phase ...................................................................................... 35 10.2.2 Operational Phase ........................................................................................ 35 10.3 Machinery ................................................................................................................ 36 10.3.1 Construction Phase ...................................................................................... 36 10.3.2 Operational Phase ........................................................................................ 36 10.4 Waste ....................................................................................................................... 36 10.4.1 Construction Phase ...................................................................................... 36 10.4.2 Operational Phase ........................................................................................ 37 11.0 Access and Parking Requirements ..................................................................... 38 11.1 Access during Construction Phase ........................................................................... 38 11.2 Access during Operational Phase ............................................................................. 38 11.3 Parking during Construction and Operational Phase ............................................... 38 12.0 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation .............................................................. 39 Page | iv PDS FOR THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF DEMOUNTABLE PIER, COMINO Table of Figures Figure 1: Indicative locations of the current infrastructure at Blue Lagoon ......................... 4 Figure 2: Boats of various sizes moored at Blue Lagoon (Source: Google Maps).................. 4 Figure 3: Boats moored at the makeshift quays (Source: Google Maps) ............................. 5 Figure 4: Layout plan of the existing infrastructure at the Blue Lagoon .............................. 1 Figure 5: Comino Policy Map ............................................................................................ 1 Figure 6: Scheduling of Cominotto and Blue Lagoon Rocks ................................................ 2 Figure 7: Passengers making use of makeshift concrete pathways (Source: Google Maps) .. 4 Figure 8: Makeshift concrete pathways present along the northwest coast (Source: Doric Studio) ............................................................................................................................. 4 Figure 9: Vessels moored close to the swimming zone (Source: Doric Studio) .................... 5 Figure 10: Indicative timing of each phase (Source: Doric Studio) ...................................... 6 Figure 11: Map showing the Scheme location in the Maltese Islands (Google Earth, 2020) . 7 Figure 12: Map showing the scheme location in Comino (Google Earth, 2020) ................... 8 Figure 13: Site plan of the scheme with a 100 m buffer zone ............................................. 9 Figure 14: Satellite map of the scheme with a 100 m buffer zone. ................................... 10 Figure 15: Layout plan of an alternative project design (Option A) ................................... 12 Figure 16: Layout plan of an alternative project design (Option B) ................................... 13 Figure 17: Proposed layout plan for the pier extension.................................................... 16 Figure 18: Drawings of the proposed pier extension ........................................................ 17 Figure 19: Map showing land-uses in the AoI .................................................................. 20 Figure 20: Distribution of habitat types on Comino (Source: Natura 2000 Management Plan) 22 Figure 21: Triq Kemuneti traversing through Natura 2000 habitats