The Ramblers’ Association of Malta condemned the decision by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority’s Planning Board last week to permit the construction of another petrol station.

“This latest rubber stamp for a petrol station at Ta’ Buqana, just beneath Mdina, will jar with the landscape in this historic area. It will also disrupt the view from the walls of the old capital which goes against landscape protection principles,” said the president of the Ramblers’ Association, Lino Bugeja.

The granting of the permit ran contrary to the Structure Plan Policy RCO 4 governing rural conservation. The Mepa policy promises to prohibit development in rural areas if it visually dominates or disrupts the surroundings due to its mass or location, the association said.

“Under the protection of this policy, the permit should never have been issued. Three existing petrol stations already close at hand in Attard, Rabat and Mosta render this latest development on the Rabat-Mosta road completely unnecessary,” said Mr Bugeja.