Environment NGOs have expressed concern oven an application for development in an Outside Development Zone in Qala Valley, Gozo.

"The authorities' pledge to protect the countryside has once again been put into question by MEPA's recommendation for the approval of a development project partially outside the development zone (ODZ) at Tal-Marga Valley, Qala, Gozo. As in the recent Wied il-Ghasel case, the proposal to build apartments and underlying garages is unsuitable for a site that is mostly out of the building scheme. Even more seriously, the excavations will take place in the area where underground water from the aquifer flows out into the Tal-Marga Valley," the organisations said.

They said the Case Officer Report somehow made no mention of a report submitted to MEPA by the Qala Local Council and drawn up by Ing. Marco Cremona, a qualified hydrologist, which stated that "it is very likely that the excavations will affect the subsurface flow currently feeding the shallow wells dug in the blue clay lying immediately downstream of the site of the proposed development. This is cause for concern especially since the proposed development involves the excavation of rock (and probably clay - which is protected by law) to construct underlying garages.

"Furthermore, the Gozo and Comino Local Plan designates the Tal-Marga valley as a 'Category B' valley where the only permitted structures are "wind-pumps, small stores, reservoirs and other limited facilities which are deemed necessary for the continuation of traditional agricultural practices and even these require mitigation measures so that the intervention blends well in the rural landscape. A strong presumption against the construction of new structures (including greenhouses) shall be also applicable to Category B valleys."

29 farmers have already petitioned MEPA on this matter, the NGOs pointed out.