WRITTEN QUESTION E-1458/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(13 May 1998)

Subject: Urbanization of the Tormarancia area and the Appia Antica Park

In the Tormarancia area of Rome, including the area of the Appia Antica Park, which is acknowledged to be one of the areas of greatest interest from the archaelogical and environmental point of view, an old planning scheme dating back to l965 provided for the building of an enormous residential district for between 16 000 and 22 000 inhabitants.By a decision which led to unanimous opposition from residents (inter alia through petitions signed by thousands of people ) and environmental associations, the current Rome City Council has so far authorized the construction of no less than 1 500 000 cubic metres of buildings in the immediate vicinity of this archaelogical site.

In addition to damaging the natural and archaelogical heritage, the urbanization of Tormarancia would lead to the collapse of the transport system of the neighbouring districts, which is already under threat, and might well produce a genuine suburban wasteland in a district which has one of the largest complexes of unsold buildings. The Government Archaeological Department, the Pontifical Committee on Sacred Art, the Department of Earth Science at La Sapienza University, the National Geophysical Institute, the National Research Council, all the foreign institutes in Rome and the Academy of the Lincei have declared themselves to be against this indiscriminate building project.

1. Does the Commission not believe that the urbanization project is in breach of Directive 85/337/EEC(1) on environmental impact assessment and the consultation of citizens?

2. Does the Commission not consider that it the project is in breach of the European Union's provisions for the safeguard of archaelogical assets, especially those contained in Annex III to Directive 97/11/EC(2)?

3. Does the Commission not believe it to be advisable to urge the Italian authorities to block the urbanization of the area pending clarification of the issue?

4. Can the Commission state its general viewpoint on this matter?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 1998)

In the opinion of the Commission, based on the information given by the Honourable Member, the work to which the question makes reference appears to be a project of the classes listed in Annex II of Council Directive 85/337/EEC(3). Such projects should be made subject to an environmental impact assessment (EIA) where Member States consider that their characteristics so require.

Council Directive 97/11/EC(4) of 3 March 1997 is the new Directive amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. In the framework of this Directive, the environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected by projects must be considered having regard to landscapes of historical, cultural or archaeological significance (Annex III 2h). This is to be considered a relevant element for a Member State to assess correctly (both when a case-by-case examination is carried out or thresholds and criteria are generally determined) which of the projects of the classes listed in Annex II are to be subject to an environmental assessment. In any case, the deadline for Member States to comply with Directive 97/11/EC is 14 March 1999.

Not being aware of the project mentioned, the Commission is not in a position to comment on the specific situations concerned. It will take the appropriate steps in order to gather detailed information and to ensure the observance of Community law.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.l985, p.40.

(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p.5.

(3) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(4) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.