A man has filed a judicial protest against the Land Department which, he claims, reduced a land concession by 60 square metres, including the use of a borehole for irrigation purposes.

Carmelo Bonnici explained that he was the owner of a field in Zejtun. In May last year, he reached an agreement with the Land Department to rent out an adjacent piece of land, with an area of 184 square metres, which included a reservoir.

Four months later, however, the department issued a new map which meant that the concession was for 124 square metres of the land in question.

Apart from the smaller area, Mr Bonnici said he could not use a borehole which he needed for irrigation.

He held the department responsible for damages.

Lawyers David Camilleri and Joseph Gatt signed the protest.