The controversial Maghtab fuel station application, seen by some as being the application that launched the fuel station policy into the public limelight, is once again going before the Planning Authority Board.

The original application was for the full development permission for the relocation of an existing fuel station in Mosta with a new Fuel Station in Salina road, located outside the limits for development of Naxxar, which included: car washing facility, ancillary retail facilities and underlying garages as a replacement of two existing dilapidated farmhouses.

Originally submitted back in 2014, this application has seen countless appeals from both sides, and has even seen decisions taken before the courts.

The most recent update a court declare null all Planning Authority proceedings in the Maghtab Fuel Station saga, held after the Board had switched its position to being in favour of the project.

The application was originally filed back in 2014, but had been turned down by the Planning Authority in 2016. The applicant then filed an appeal before the Environment Planning and Review Tribunal, who ordered that the application go back before the Planning Authority Bard. The PA Board then indicated that they would again vote against the project, but in a separate sitting where the vote was actually taken, voted in favour  in January 2018. Maghtab residents who were fighting against the construction of the fuel station then appealed themselves, arguing that the correct procedure in the meeting where the decision was taken on 11 January was not followed. The Environment and Planning Review tribunal agreed and sent it back to the PA board.

But the residents also felt that they would not be given the opportunity to make submissions on revised conditions, and thus went to court where this most recent decision was made. The application is now set to be decided by the PA Board on Thursday.