A new fuel station outline development permit application on ODZ land in Zejtun has been submitted to the Planning Authority.

The proposed station would be constructed on “Il-Hofra l-Hamra Field”, Triq Hal Tarxien, Zejtun. The site is just opposite the Bulebel Industrial Estate according to the PA’s Geoserver.

According to plans, aside from fuel pumping stations, the site will include car washes, a shop, truck washes, an ATM facility, and ancillary facilities.

Development in the area around Bulebel has been a topic of controversy recently. Controversy had erupted after plans to extend the Bulebel industrial estate onto agricultural land were announced, land which was earmarked for possible industrial development by a PN government in 2006. Environment Minister Jose Herrera had then said that following the public outrage at the agricultural land take-up, it was decided that three-quarters of the land supposed to be considered will no longer be considered. The remainder of that land, he said, will be studied based on various impact assessments such as environmental, social, traffic impact and more. Based on the outcome and the feedback from a public consultation, a decision will then be taken.

The fuel station application does not lie on the aforementioned land, but lies opposite the industrial estate according to the PA’s map, on ODZ land.

The topic of fuel stations has also been quite controversial. The fuel station policy is currently meant to be under review after mounting concerns by environmentalists. As an example, Carmel Cacopardo, said it would make more sense to turn urban stations into charging stations rather than relocate them as fuel stations, given Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s announcement last September that he will launch a consultation on Malta's future regarding switching over to electric vehicles. Other environmentalists are concerned about the policy leading to urban sprawl.