The Green Party spokesperson on the environment Mark Causon said: “AD urges Mepa and the DCC to once again reject this application. Sanctioning the development of an inorganic waste separation plant violates the structure plan and illustrates Mepa’s inability to regulate development outside development zones.”

Mark Causon added: “It is unacceptable that developers keep appealing and forcing Mepa into reconsidering developments of green areas which have been classified outside development zones until gaining permission.

“The residents, Save Wied Garnaw Action Group and thousands of persons who signed the petitions against the proposed development should be spared another period of uncertainty over the fate of the valley. Malta cannot afford losing further green areas such as Wied Garnaw and open spaces in the countryside should be protected by Mepa.”