The Malta Developers Association is objecting to the proposed Lidl supermarket on virgin land outside development zone in Birkirkara, insisting it was a “no go”.
Since the development was not a project of national importance there was no reason for the take-up of uncommitted ODZ land, MDA President Sandro Chetcuti told The Sunday Times of Malta, insisting his association was in favour of sustainable development.
“We are in favour of the environment. It is unacceptable to keep building in ODZ. There are enough areas within the development zone for commercial use. We don’t care who’s behind the project,” Mr Chetcuti said.
We are in favour of the environment
Supermarket chain Lidl has applied for a development permit on a site over 5,000 square metres along the Birkirkara bypass, in Dun Karm Psaila Street. The site is not committed, he said, meaning there is no existing building on the land.
This is not the first time the supermarket chain has raised controversy over development applications. Lidl has already opened two outlets in ODZ areas – in Luqa and Safi. Its outlet in Xewkija is also partly located in an ODZ area.
Lidl had also tried to build outlets in ODZ areas in Mosta and Żabbar but both applications were rejected.
MDA opposes Birkirkara Lidl
The MDA president, often in the line of fire over controversial developments, said the association will not support such applications.
“This is not in our interest or in the interest of society. We have already suffered enough from bad planning decisions. The MDA will consistently be taking a stand against such proposals on virgin ODZ land, now and in future. We want people to know we mean business,” Mr Chetcuti said.
The MDA drew a distinction between ODZ applications on committed land and others where no development exists. Mr Chetcuti said he endorses the rural development policy amended by the Labour government, which allows the redevelopment of an existing building in ODZ.
Applications for commercial developments on agricultural land create an advantage for entrepreneurs over others who abide by planning policies and invest in outlets in commercial development zones, he said.
“Maltese entrepreneurs investing in opening businesses in commercial development zones have to pay premium prices for the land. Opening such businesses on what is considered as agricultural land means the land is acquired cheaply because no development should be allowed. This is not a level playing field,” Mr Chetcuti said.
The MDA president stressed such permits could only lead to a deterioration in the environment.
“We have already suffered enough from bad planning decisions. We have decided the MDA should take a stand against such proposed developments. We are in favour of sustainable development and we should lead by example,” Mr Chetcuti said, repeating that the applicant behind the project was not the target.
Lidl supermarket is a chain owned entirely by foreign interests, according to documents held by the Malta Financial Services Authority.
Mr Chetcuti also stressed the association would not be supporting individuals who think they can get a development permit by lobbying one political party or another.
“The same rules should apply to all, and if people try to bypass these rules they will find the MDA opposing them,” he said.
The MDA has developed a code of ethics that its members are expected to follow.
“The exploitation of planning policies is not in the interest of our members. This damages the reputation of the association unnecessarily,” Mr Chetcuti said.