Birzebbuga local council had a meeting with some of the locality's MPs this morning and vowed to continue to fiight Malta Freeport's extension towards Wied il-Buni.

"We simply cannot have 10-storey cranes just outside people's bedroom windows," Mayor Joe Farrugia said after the meeting.

"The people of Birzebbuga have a right for an environment that is conducive to a proper quality of life. After all, they were here before the freeport."

Mepa earlier this week reversed a decision it took last year and approved a freeport application to extend its main terminal, bringing it closer to residences. The freeport's plans had previously been unanimously approved by parliament. The council says the extension will enable large ships to berth closer to a residential area.

Mr Farrugia said the council was holding consultations about taking the case before the European union's institutions. Labour MEP Edward Scicluna has promised similar action.

"We are not against the freeport or against job-creating investment, but that has to respect the people and the environment," Mr Farrugia said.

He said freeport activities disturbed the residents because of noise, excessive light, and seawater pollution.

"Mepa is violating the buffer zone it itself declared between the freeport and people's houses."

Mr Farrugia said Birzebbuga bay was dying, and the council wanted to keep alive the little that had survived.

While the authorities had said they were unable to regularly monitor the seawater quality of Birzebbuga, the changes brought about by industrial activities were very evident for the residents, he said.

"For example, up to some time ago, we used to see many fish close to the surface. We don't do so any more, Mr Farrugia said.

The meeting was attended by Labour MPs George Vella, Karmenu Vella and J.M. Sammut, Nationalist MP Franco Debono, Prof Scicluna, architect Carmel Caccopardo and Claudette Baldacchino, PL coordinator or local councils.