Labour MP calls on Mepa to reject Wied Garnaw appeal

Labour MP Karl Chircop yesterday called on the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to reject an appeal filed against its decision not to allow development in Wied Garnaw, Santa Lucija.

An application to build a waste sorting plant in Wied Garnaw was lodged with Mepa in 2003. Mepa turned down the application twice and the developer appealed.

Dr Chircop said the environment watchdog should bear in mind that Wied Garnaw was scheduled as a protected zone because of its ecological importance. A total of 6,000 people had signed a petition against the development, he added.

Dr Chircop said he was pleased the developer had been forced by Mepa to remove his equipment and halt illegal activity at the site but insisted that the issue would continue to be a matter of concern until the possibility of the valley being developed remained.

The Save Wied Garnaw Action Committee said on Tuesday: "Granting the application would amount to rewarding the developer for illegally degrading the site as well as further loss of Malta's remaining open spaces."