Front Ħarsien ODZ has strongly objected to the planning authority’s review tribunal’s 2014 decision in favour of a new hardstone quarry in Wied Moqbol, Żurrieq, contradicting the tribunal's 2005 and 2009 decisions.

It reiterated its claim that further encroachment on ODZ must be avoided in all cases of non-essential development, and urged the tribunal to decide against the developer’s appeal.

It also appealed to the Labour-led Żurrieq council to oppose the permit as it did in 2005. After the latest appeal in 2014, Mr Justice Mark Chetcuti had criticised the tribunal for basing its decision on other considerations, such as the value of the agricultural land, rather than applying policies, as it was supposed to.

The land proposed for the quarry was designated as agricultural according to local plans, and therefore, no development that was not directly related to farming could be permitted.

The front noted that Wied Moqbol was protected at international level as a Natura 2000 Special Area of Conservation. It was also protected under the EU’s Birds Directive as the habitat of two kinds of sea-birds, the Cory and Levantine Shearwaters.

The proposed quarry would also have adverse impact on a population of carob trees, with negative effects on soil erosion and biodiversity.