The Xewkija local council is determined to use all the legal means at its disposal to oppose the construction of a waste transfer station in the locality after the Malta Environment and Planning Authority issued an outline development permit last week.

The waste transfer station will be managed by Wasteserv Malta Ltd.

The council believes that the plant - where 35,000 tonnes of waste originating from Gozo annually will be processed - will have a negative effect on Mgarr ix-Xini and archaeological digs taking place in the area.

Xewkija mayor Monica Vella said archaeological digs are underway at Tal-Kus, an area flanking Mgarr ix-Xini, where the station will be built.

The council said the Mgarr ix-Xini valley had long been known for its ecological, geomorphologic and cultural importance, and the authority had scheduled the area for protection, including Tal-Kus, in 2001.

After the site was listed, the Xewkija and Sannat councils set up the Mgarr ix-Xini Regional Park in 2004, which is the only park in the Maltese islands which forms part of an EU-financed programme.

An excavation project, carried out under the supervision of the Cultural Heritage Superintendence together with the university's Archaeology Department, found that remains at Tal-Kus date back to the Phoenicians. The structure uncovered lasted for 1,000 years, by which time the Romans had arrived.

When contacted, Dr Vella said that apart from affecting the ecological value of the area, possible leaks might also damage the rocks.

When contacted, a Mepa spokesman said the station would not be built on the same site where the archaeological digs are taking place.

While accepting that the area was close, the spokesman said that the Mepa board had taken everything into account before giving the go-ahead.

The council will hold a public meeting on the issue at Archpriest Ciantar Street, Xewkija, on July 28 at 7 p.m.