The planning authority has turned down an application for a controversial petrol station in Maghtab which had angered residents, the local council and the environment directorate.

The case had been deferred last week after an argument between Mepa chairman Vince Cassar and architect Carmel Cacopardo, representing residents, after Mr Cacopardo accused the planning directorate of deliberately concealing key facts about the application from the board. Mr Cassar was absent from today's hearing.

The public was not allowed to follow the board's discussions - which lasted over half an hour - this afternoon after Mepa invoked a "very rare" procedure allowing for private deliberations, although the vote was held in public. 

Concerns were raised by residents that several board members were not present to hear submissions during the initial hearing last week, but the board said members who had been absent had been given a copy of the minutes and presentations from the previous week. 

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 had 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, 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 were also 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.”