MEPA has approved a Malta Freeport application for the dredging of Marsaxlokk Bay to enable bigger ships to use its facilities.

Approval was given after a stormy three-hour meeting during which residents and others argued that allowing bigger ships into the harbour would increase the inconvenience caused to the residents through the operations of the freeport. They also argued that this permit would lead to greater pollution in the bay.

Birzebbuga Mayor Joseph Farrugia said the local council had opposed the application because of the inceonvnience to residents and in a bid "to safeguard what remains of the environment."

"This development will further ruin the bay," he said.

The MEPA meeting rejected an application by Malta Freeport for an extension of Terminal One West Quay through land reclamation of a creek.

The extension would have taken the freeport closer to residential areas of Birzebuga, the Authroity found.

The Authority decided that the development would bring Freeport operations too close to the residential areas.