A long-awaited Mepa decision on a proposed petrol station in Magħtab was deferred once again in bizarre circumstances this afternoon after an argument between the Mepa chairman and architect Carmel Caccopardo.

Mr Caccopardo, representing Magħtab residents, who have vehemently opposed the development, accused the Mepa planning directorate of a “lack of professional integrity” and claimed it had neglected to bring key facts relating to the proposal to the intention of the board.

Chairman Vince Cassar called on Mr Caccopardo to immediately withdraw the accusation or leave the room, which Mr Caccopardo refused to do. Following a heated exchange during which Mr Caccopardo insisted he would remain unless forcibly removed, Mr Cassar stormed out of the room instead.

The incident occurred at the end of a two-hour hearing. A decision on the proposal had already been deferred last month after a failed attempt by residents to obtain a court injunction against the development.

The application, by Paul Abela of Abel Energy, is to demolish two derelict farmhouses and build a fuel station with an electric car charging station, car wash, shop, car mechanic workshop, stores and a parking lot that would take 17 cars.

The proposed site is a triangular-shaped piece of land in Triq is-Salina and Trejqet l-Arznu, Naxxar, near the T’Alla u Ommu hill, covering an area of 3,593 square metres.

The case officer has recommended that Mepa approve the application in line with the Fuel Service Stations Policy, a new policy which allows petrol stations to be relocated to rural areas outside development zones.

Residents, however, have complained that the site is directly adjacent to a number of homes, and will bring with it a host of environmental issues including increased traffic, rural deterioration and noise pollution.

Serious objections have also been raised by the Naxxar local council and Mepa’s own Environment Protection Directorate, on the basis that the proposed development “is located in a predominantly open and undeveloped rural area and involves excessive land take-up.”