Seven environmental NGOs have raised their concerns about an application to build a supermarket on “virgin land” at Xewkija valley in Gozo, which has been recommended for approval.

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Ramblers Association, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Friends of the Earth, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement, NatureTrust and the Gozo University Group said they were concerned about the number of questionable recommendations being issued by the planning authority.

“Why is it necessary to use unbuilt land in a valley where run-off water from more than a quarter of Gozo collects, when empty premises are available in the immediate vicinity? This area lies right next to an eco-Gozo scheduled water conservation site,” they said in a statement.

This application has been recommended for approval despite the fact that a professional traffic impact assessment has not been carried out, the NGOs said.

They stressed it was unacceptable to approve such a permit in principle and ask for such studies later, as had been known to happen.

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