Environmentalists have lambasted the application by supermarket chain Lidl deeming it unacceptable and as being the latest in an “onslaught on ODZ sites”.
The chain, which already runs five supermarkets in Malta, is proposing a store covering a large area in a zone known as Ta’ Żejta in St Leonard Street, Xewkija.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is receiving submissions from the public on the application until tomorrow.
Astrid Vella, from Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, pointed out that the site was in a valley between Xewkija and Xagħra, earmarked for an Eco-Gozo project that proposed the development of a water catchment area because a freshwater spring from Victoria surfaced at that point and had created an ecosystem of indigenous flora.
She said her organisation had been opposing a similar mega-supermarket application since 2007, just four fields further down in the same valley.
“FAA has no objection to Lidl setting up in Gozo but definitely not on virgin land when other areas are already ruined and existing commercial premises lie vacant,” she said. Ms Vella wondered what had become of the promise to weed out applications that clearly violated Mepa policies.
“For some reason, this has not been done and our countryside and urban conservation areas are still under threat from unsuitable development.
This application is so unacceptable it should have been nipped in the bud instead of wasting Mepa’s and the public’s time on it. FAA urges the authorities to urgently enact the necessary regulations so all resources can be employed to process bona fide applications without delay,” she said.
Applications for Lidl supermarkets in Malta in the past were dogged by controversy, especially after Mepa gave the green light for two of its outlets in Luqa and Safi. In both cases, the Development Control Commission, which took the decision, was criticised by the authority’s internal auditor, Joe Falzon.
The application had been filed by developer Charles Polidano on behalf of the Lidl chain and the construction of the supermarket was approved in April 2007. In his report on the project, Mr Falzon had described the go-ahead for the development on land outside development zone as a “gross irregularity”.
He had criticised the DCC for unanimously approving the project despite a recommendation for refusal by the Planning Directorate.
Environmentalist Alan Deidun, environmentalist and former Nationalist Party candidate for the European Parliament elections, expressed indignation and “outrage” on “the latest onslaught at ODZ sites” by a commercial entity “which should know better after the Safi and Luqa debacles.”
“The Xewkija Lidl case is a test for Eco-Gozo, the Mepa reform and for Mepa in general in the wake of the damning report by its auditor following the Safi Lidl permit grant and the resignation en masse of the Mepa DCC board. If such a permit is granted, then Eco-Gozo would indeed be no more than pie in the sky,” he said.
Dr Deidun insisted it was not enough for Lidl “to pass the buck” and say it entrusted its local partner – Mr Polidano – with the choice of the sites for its supermarkets.
“Lidl should be held responsible and should dictate matters to its local partner/contractor by giving guidance to steer clear of pristine sites,” he said.