The planning authority board this afternoon turned down a request for a permit to build a winery in Bidnija.

The application was turned down by 10 votes against and two in favour. Labour MP Joe Sammut and Elizabeth Ellul voted in favour.

Alex Zammit, case officer, said the applicant had 41 tumuli of land and the permit was granted by an appeals board.

A request to revoke the permit had been filed but was turned down by the appeals board.

Mr Zammit said the revised plans, approved by the agriculture and health departments, provided for loading at street level.

Although the owner had more than four hectares of agricultural land in the area, had he applied now without the outline permit in hand, the development application would not be within policy because he did not have 1.3 hectares within an area of 500 metres.

The directorate proposed a condition that tied the permit to the function of a winery. If not used for three years in 30 years after the permit is issued, it should be revoked.

Architect Philip Micallef said the plans approved in the original outline permit had been slightly amended. The development was small scale and the building was sunken into the landscape.

Speaking on behalf on the objectors, lawyer Michael Grech said the proposed winery was a "wine factory". The policy said the applicant needed two hectares within 500 metres but he had less than 1.2 hectares in 750 metres.

The area was residential with old houses and the winery would end up in their midst. It would have a detrimental effect on the area and would generate a lot of heavy traffic in a very narrow road - an issue that had not been tackled.

Dr Grech also pointed out there was a 150-year old carob tree right next to the proposed building that had not been mentioned in the report.

Meanwhile the board suspended on request of the application the hearing to decide upon a poultry farm in Siggiewi because of an ongoing consultation process for ODZ areas.