Both the PN and PL have claimed victory after the Planning Authority turned down an application for the development of a manure clamp in Munxar, Gozo.

The Malta Independent had reported extensively on the proposed clamp, which would have received manure from all Gozo farms. The proposed plant, on Triq Zghawri, would be used for the management and storage of manure.

Residents complained that the facility would be detrimental to their health and wellbeing, including through the fact that truckloads of manure would be driven through the village.

PN MP Chris Said, who had spearheaded the fight against the proposal, had argued that the PN was not against having such a facility, but argued that it should be situated in another location, away from residents.

The Munxar Local Council had unanimously approved a motion to bring in a number of experts to examine the potential consequences of the proposed manure clamp. The motion was moved by the Nationalist councillors.

In a statement on Thursday, PN councillors Damien Spiteri and Paul Curmi welcomed the PA’s decision, saying that it had saved the village from ruin. The PN councillors said they were proud to have worked towards this aim. They said the authorities had initially ignored them and downplayed the importance of the issue. The councillors said they had always acted to protect the interests of residents.

In its own statement, the Labour Party said the PL majority council had delivered an important victory for residents. It had done this by convincing (the PA) that the proposed facility should not be approved.

It said the council had a clear stand on the application and had opposed it since it first surfaced.