A nature walk with a difference took place in the Bulebel countryside on Sunday, as ramblers took in sights, sounds and historical nuggets that could soon disappear forever.

As residents step up the fight against the expansion of the industrial estate onto a massive area of actively tended agricultural land, local heritage group Wirt Iż-Żejtun, which is leading the opposition, guided visitors through the threatened area to raise awareness of its secrets.

Organisers insisted the event was not a protest and banned placards and banners, but an air of frustration at the threat that had prompted the event nevertheless permeated an otherwise pleasant walk on a sunny morning.

The crowd of about 100 included local residents discussing their own recollections of the place, others musing over an area on their doorstep they felt they had not visited often enough and curious visitors from further afield.

The number of people coming forward to share what they know has been incredible

Some politicians who have opposed the project, including Democratic Party MP Godfrey Farrugia and Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Carmel Cacopardo, also joined the walk.

Wirt Iż-Żejtun president Reuben Abela, who led the walk, shared his knowledge of the area’s nature and history, pointing out mature carob trees and working farms, possible Roman remains and a building linked to Grand Master Ramon Perellos.

He led visitors through the Wied iż-Żrinġ area, part of a watercourse leading ultimately to Marsascala, and past a site under which may lie the remains of a church dating back to the 1600s. He also introduced them to farmers and beekeepers the development will hit hardest.

“The development proposal has been almost a blessing in disguise,” Dr Abela told those gathered. “We’ve discovered things that nobody has thought to look into, and which should now be studied further, and the number of people coming forward to share what they know has been incredible.”

About 120,000 square metres of land will be taken up by the development, displacing farmers who use the land to cultivate vines, potatoes and other crops. Some 70 carob trees are also found in the area, though they may withstand the development.

No formal application has yet been submitted, though the plans have been confirmed by Malta Industrial Parks, the State entity responsible for industrial zones.