The Planning Board rejected the developer’s request to suspend the application temporarily and it was going to proceed with its refusal. At that point, the developer withdrew the application.

However, this does not mean that the case is fully closed.

Moviment Graffitti highlighted the fact that, during the hearing, the applicant’s architect, Colin Zammit, made reference to discussions held with some authorities about potential changes within the planning policies that are currently not allowed.

“Therefore, we will remain vigilant for the possibility that this application might resurface after a hidden move behind the scenes,” the activist organisation said.

“Together with the farmers who work these fields, we have been opposing this highly risky application from the beginning, as it threatens to sacrifice precious agricultural land for a commercial project.”

“The fight goes on.”

The applicant was developer Darren Desira, co-owner of MAD Fitness Limited.

The works would have involved “afforestation of the site with an incorporated seasonal obstacle course race track (OCR) with beaten earth passage ways, excavation of reservoirs for the watering of trees and construction of an information office as per the Ta’ Qali action plan with ancillary facilities to OCR, both covered in soil and vegetation,” the application reads.

What do you make of the withdrawal of this application to develop on ODZ land?