Birzebbuga residents should be consulted about the plans in hand to expand the Malta Freeport, Malta Labour Party spokesman Roderick Galdes said yesterday.

The project will have an environmental impact and will affect residential areas, he added in a statement.

Birzebbuga is already hit by extensive industrial activity, and any development of the Freeport will continue to impinge on the residents’ way of life and could also lead to pollution.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority should ensure that the expansion of the Freeport terminals takes place after the residents are consulted. Mr Galdes also called for an environment impact assessment before any decision is taken.