Residents of Munxar are alarmed by rumours of a plan to develop a manure clamp, (a place used for the management and storage of manure) in their vicinity, The Malta Independent on Sunday has learnt.

Residents are concerned that such a development could result in truckloads of manure passing through their village. This newspaper is informed that the majority of farmers in Gozo have already signed an agreement to start using the manure provision service.

Munxar mayor Carmen Said told this newspaper: "In a meeting with the council that took place on 25 January, a councillor asked whether anything was known about plans to develop a manure clamp in Munxar. The executive secretary informed the council that he had been contacted by two separate individuals, who wished to remain anonymous but wanted to pass on information to the council about plans to create a manure clamp in Triq Zgħawri.

"The council decided to obtain information from the Planning Authority and to request a meeting with Gozo Minister Dr Anton Refalo," the mayor explained. "The meeting with the Minister has not yet been held, while the Planning Authority replied that it does not have any applications linked to this matter." Ms Said added: "The Council is informed about every development application that goes to the Planning Authority, but up to now it has still not received anything and therefore cannot make any decision or take any action."

A Munxar resident who heard about the possible manure clamp prior to being contacted by this newsroom, speaking under condition of anonymity, explained that residents "are mostly concerned about the smell that trucks passing through the square with loads of manure would create. There is no other road that the trucks could use so they would therefore have to drive through the village square," the resident said.

Sources told this newspaper that no planning application has yet been filed for a change of use of the area, formerly a cattle farm in Triq Zgħawri, to start functioning as a manure clamp.

"Whether they have permits or not, if this development is being planned, Munxar Local Council should be put in the picture," the resident said.

According to another source acquainted with the situation, who also wished to remain anonymous, an introductory meeting for Gozitan farmers, at which the service was explained to them, has been held. The farmers were told that vehicles from the business could collect the manure from the farms themselves free of charge or, if the manure is taken to the manure clamp, they will be paid compensation. The frequency and logistics of the number of vehicles that would be passing through the village are still unknown.