On 28 June, Labour leader Alfred Sant together with MPs Roderick Galdes and Joe Sammut and Birzebbuga mayor Joe Farrugia went to the Tal-Papa area in Birzebbuga.

In a short speech there, Dr Sant condemned the Gonzi administration because it was about to destroy rural land with the inclusion of the area in the development zone.

But when the House’s Permanent Committee for Development Planning met on Friday 14 July evening, with Labour MPs Charles Buhagiar and Roderick Galdes present, the committee unanimously voted to approve six maps, including the one at Birzebbuga.

Probably realising its mistake, the Opposition tried to amend the minutes of the Friday sitting.

Then it continued to press for the inclusion of more sites for development, including sites in Siggiewi, Kalkara, Xghajra, Msida, Mellieha, Salina, Zebbug, Mtarfa and Zebbiegh.

In one particular case, Mr Buhagiar insisted that a wedge of land between the Mater Dei Hospital and the university be included, without declaring he was the architect of the application regarding this site.