The Mepa Board has turned down an application for the building of 13 residential units at Sta Marija Estate, Mellieha.

The Residents’ Association of Sta Marija Estate warned yesterday that the development, on seven plots, was harmful for the environment and should be rejected.

“Wied Għajn Żejtuna, a lush natural valley that still features a natural spring has been targeted for unsustainable development," the association said.

Mepa said that the board, through its decision, overturned the recommendation for approval made by the Planning Directorate on the notion that this proposed development went counter to a number of rural conservation policies. The board deemed the project as being insensitive to the country’s natural heritage and potential damaging to the valley which is an important water catchment area.

On the positive recommendation of the Environment Protection Directorate, the MEPA board gave its consent for the granting of a one year environment operational permit to Waste Oils Company Ltd in Marsa. This IPPC permit which regulates the collection, separation and storage of waste oils from commercial, domestic and shipping operations prior to export, will address a number of environment concerns in the area.

The board also gave its consent for an outline planning permission to be granted for the development of a football complex in Birzebbuga. The site, although outside the development boundaries, was a disused quarry and mostly disturbed land. This application had the full backing of the Birzebbuga Local Council.