Bidnija residents have presented a petition to the planning authority, opposing the development of farmland into a two-storey winery scheduled to be considered for the final go ahead this week.

The residents are demanding the withdrawal of an outline development permit issued in 2006 on the basis that it was based on wrong information by the applicant and goes against established planning policies.

The Mosta council and environmental NGOs Nature Trust and the Ramblers Association are also objecting.

However, the applicant, Stephen Galea, who claims to be “the largest vineyard owner in Malta”, said his permit was legal and that he was being subjected to undeserved criticism from people who had just moved to the area.

The petition, signed by 30 residents of this rural hamlet, is aimed at stopping the granting of a full development permit to Mr Galea, a part-time farmer, who cultivates about 41 tumoli of vineyards, to construct a winery below street level in Il-Milord Street.

According to the objectors, the outline permit for the building – which is outside the development zone (ODZ) and also involves the uprooting of protected trees – contravenes planning policies which stipulate that such a development has to be within a 500-metre radius of the vineyards.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is recommending approval, particularly on the basis that the outline permit already exists. Under normal circumstances, once an outline permit is granted, it is normally followed by a full development permit.

The main condition being recommended is that the building should be used exclusively as a winery and, if this ceases to be the case, the building has to be demolished with the site restored to its pristine state at the expense of the applicant.

Mr Galea said he expected Mepa to grant the permit he had been waiting for since 2002.

“I cultivate five hectares of vineyards and, according to the law, I have a right to build two wineries, not one,” he said.

In a direct reference to objectors, Mr Galea said: “Some people think that because they buy a few metres of land in Bidnija no one else can build anything next to them. This is not on because everyone has rights.

“I have been cultivating land for years and have no intention of giving in to pressure from people who have just arrived here.”

The case is expected to be decided by Mepa on Thursday.