Environment NGOs have ­criticised the planning authority’s choice to postpone a ­decision on a proposed ­supermarket in Xewkija.

During a hearing of the Mepa Environment and Planning Commission on Friday, the majority of members objected to the project and yet the “pro-development” chairman deferred the session to allow the developer more time to re-submit his plans, the NGOs said.

“It is exactly this approach that makes it easy for developers to continue uglifying our islands by building on virgin land without the need to exhaust all possibilities of using existing vacant premises,” said Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Gozo University Group, Malta Organic ­Agriculture Movement and Ramblers Association.

They pointed out that the proposed Lidl store would be situated on a main road creating danger due to lack of turning space within the car park.

The NGOs insisted it makes far more sense to place a supermarket in one of the many empty properties in Gozo, including one right next door, rather than building on fields.