The Marsascala local council has come out against a proposed agritourism development on the untouched Munxar promontory in the locality.

In a unanimous decision, councillors said the area, which is an outside development zone, should remain in its natural state.

The decision contrasts with the stand taken last year over the proposed development of a private university at Żonqor Point, which will use up a tract of ODZ land.

Developer Rennie Scicluna is proposing to turn more than 2,000 square metres of land he owns at Munxar into an agritourism facility, comprising lodging, a swimming pool, restaurants and access facilities to the sea below.

On Wednesday, a number of organisations, including the Għa-qda Bajja San Tumas, which ironically represents the illegal boathouse owners, expressed concern over the development. In a statement yesterday, the Marsascala council said the zone should be included in the Delimara Park to be enjoyed by the public.

Access to the site is through a wide dirt road that passes through the illegal boathouse village. Footpaths crisscross the site and also take ramblers all the way to Xrobb l-Għaġin at Delimara.

The council said it would make representations with the planning authority on the case.

In its screening letter to the developers, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority said the site was within a very sensitive and scenic rural location and the proposed works would result in formalisation and uptake of land within a sensitive area.

This, it said, was not compatible with the conservation of the rural characteristics and scheduling status of the area.

Nevertheless, Mepa asked the developer to carry out an environment impact assessment.

The public is being asked to propose the terms of reference for the assessment.