The Mepa board has rejected an application for a basement warehouse to be built just outside Nadur, Gozo, to recycle metal and tyres.

The board said that activity of this nature could not be allowed on a site which was outside the development zone, and formed part of a valley which had high scenic and agricultural value.

The developer's architect said that there was nowhere in Gozo where such activities could take place. He insisted that the warehouse would be underground and it would give Gozo the facility to recycle and export metal such as old cars and water heaters, and tyres. His client, he said, used to pick up such items from the countryside and send them to Malta.

The board noted that two enforcement notices had been issued to the developer to remove debris from his site. The site had since been cleared other than for an old crane which was to be cut up.