A request to build a contentious underground winery in Bidnija was turned down yesterday by the planning authority.
The application was refused by 10 votes against and two votes in favour. Labour MP Joe Sammut and Elizabeth Ellul were the only members who agreed with the proposal.
The applicant already had an outline permit, granted by an appeals board in 2011.
However, three residents had requested its withdrawal, under Article 77 of the Planning Act, claiming it was based on wrong information and breached established planning policies. This request was turned down.
During yesterday’s hearing, case officer Alex Zammit said the applicant had 41 tumoli of land and submitted a set of revised plans, setting back the building from the road.
These had been approved by the agriculture and health departments.
The owner had more than four hectares of agricultural land in the area, Mr Zammit said.
Objectors claimed it would have a detrimental effect while generating a lot of heavy traffic in a very narrow road
Had he applied without the outline permit in hand, however, the application would not be within policy because he did not have the required 1.3 hectares within a 500-metre area.
Speaking on behalf of the objectors, lawyer Michael Grech said the area was residential and the winery would have a detrimental effect while generating a lot of heavy traffic in a very narrow road.
During the discussion between board members, deputy chairman Franco Montesin said he was worried about the application and felt the policy was being “stretched”.
He also said he did not have all the information in hand since Transport Malta had not given its feedback on the updated plans.
Similarly, member Victor Asciak said it was an important issue and the directorate should have gone back to the transport authority.
The planning authority in a statement said that although the site, characterised by terraced agricultural land, was covered by an outline development permit, “the proposed winery was not in conformity with existing policy”.
The board also took into consideration that the existing structures close to the site are predominately residences.
Meanwhile, the board accepted a request by lawyer Ian Stafrace, Mepa’s former CEO, to suspend a hearing on an application to build a chicken farm in Siġġiewi because of an ongoing consultation process on areas that are outside scheme.