The Planning Commission has approved the installation of an LPG gas tank next to the Citadel in Gozo despite serious concerns expressed by residents regarding the safety of the surrounding area.

According to the proposal, the buried LPG tank will have a capacity of 3000ltrs. The proposed tank would be located just beneath the ravelin and adjacent to the wall of the small parking area in front of the obelisk located at Castle Hill. The LPG gas tank will be used to fuel "eternal flames" on the victims of war memorial in Victoria.

The pipe work route shall be passed through Triq it-Telgha tal-Belt, cross Triq Sir Adrian Dingli and below the surface of Independence Square.

The Planning Commission held the meeting this morning where residents and objectors expressed their concerns. Objectors, of which there were over 30, identified the location of the proposed gas tank as a fireworks dropzone in their submissions, and also said that the minimum distance required between the gas tank and the boundary wall was not observed.

The Malta Independent has closely followed the story. Residents told this newsroom that they are willing to take any action legally available to them.

Back in December, Victoria Mayor Samuel Azzopardi said that the council had shot down the idea of the tank being installed in Independence Square as it could damage archaeological finds and could have delayed the rest of the project of restoration works at the Citadel.