The Gharb Residents Association is calling on the Malta Environment and Planning Authority auditor to investigate a proposed mushroom factory in the village.

Residents have joined forces to express concern over the proposal, which will entail construction on 12,000 square metres of agricultural land outside the development zone, a few metres away from the residential area.

Residents expressed anger because they were not consulted about the project, which they feel will have negative consequences such as noise pollution, traffic congestion and nasty odours.

They said it could negatively affect the five-star Kempinski San Lawrenz resort and the Ta' Dbiegi crafts village.

The association stated that Mepa's Natural Heritage Panel also admitted that the factory's use of large quantities of chicken manure would be likely to produce foul smells.