A planning decision for the development of a Lidl Supermarket in Xewkija, Gozo, has been postponed.

The decision was deferred to give the applicant time to address a number of traffic management issues within the site and provide better entry and exit access for trailers.

The planning report presented to Mepa this morning noted that the supermarket's structure and external car parking area fell within the limits of development, within an area zoned for the acceptance of such uses.

But a board member pointed out this morning that while other planning policies for other areas in Gozo listed supermarkets, there was no specific mention of supermarkets for this specific area. This was a point that had to be clarified.

Following this morning’s decision, the objectors said they were grateful that the board discussed the traffic management problems presented by the project in detail but they were very disappointed that issues of water management and the need for a retail impact survey were virtually ignored.

The application is being opposed by seven environmental NGOs which claimed earlier this week the supermarket was being built on "virgin land" at Xewkija valley, where run-off water from more than a quarter of Gozo collected.

The NGOs maintained that if the Environment Planning Board continued to be limited to the letter of the law and technicalities without viewing the bigger picture, which the studies would reveal, there could be no hope for progress as outlined in the National Environment Policy.

Lidl is a European discount supermarket chain of German origin that operates around 5,000 stores in more than 17 countries.

The supermarkets normally consist of a one-floor structure offering a range of convenience goods at competitive prices.