Planning Applications For Supermarket On ODZ Has Been ‘Withdrawn’ After Strong Opposition
A planning application to build a huge supermarket on 7,000 square metres of “untouched” agricultural ODZ land in San Ġwann has been withdrawn after almost 600 objections were submitted in just two days.
The application, PA/07308/22, sought to “demolish existing structures (including illegal structures built on site) and proposed construction of basement parking, supermarket and ancillary stores at ground and first floor and related offices” and has now been “withdrawn”.
The site is located in Triq il-Balal in the limits of San Ġwann and has received fierce backlash from an adjacent school, former students, and the mayor of the locality.
The application identifies JG Periti as the architectural firm and Meleney Gauci as the developer. However, the public application form states that Jason Pace is the sole owner of the site.
In addition to being located outside the development zone, the site borders Wied Għomor and Wied il-Kbir, both of which are designated as Areas of Ecological Importance and Sites of Scientific Importance.
Two days ago, Labour CEO Randolph De Battista also spoke out against the planning application, saying: “If you respect society and the people around you, you don’t even think of taking up ODZ land to build a room, let alone a supermarket. Full stop,” De Battista wrote on social media after congratulating the locality’s mayor for opposing the project.
The application status on the Planning Authority website now reads: “This application for development permission has been withdrawn by the applicant.”
What do you make of this recent development?
READ NEXT: Watch: Parked Car In Naxxar Engulfed In Flames
