Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced that the government will begin the process of protecting agricultural land at Wied iż-Żrinġ, near the edge of the Bulebel Industrial Zone, marking a renewed commitment to long-discussed environmental safeguards for the area.
In a statement on Facebook, Abela said he was "satisfied" that the first Cabinet decision of the new legislature would "seal environmental protection over a substantial stretch of agricultural land."
He confirmed that the process is being launched to remove farmland at Wied iż-Żrinġ, adjacent to the Bulebel Industrial Zone, from the development zone. The area covers almost 96,000 square metres.
He thanked local stakeholders for their role in pushing the issue forward, specifically naming farmers, the NGO Wirt iż-Żejtun, and the Żejtun Local Council for their efforts.
The announcement comes after years of campaigning and concern over the future of Wied iż-Żrinġ, an area widely described by environmental groups as ecologically and scientifically significant.
The land has long been at the centre of controversy due to proposals linked to the expansion of the Bulebel Industrial Zone, which conservationists warned would have led to the loss of agricultural fields and sensitive ecosystems.
Back in 2018, Wirt iż-Żejtun had presented a formal proposal to the Parliamentary Committee for Environment and Development calling for the protection of the area from development.
That proposal was accepted at the time, and following public pressure, including participation from the local council, the government indicated it would amend local planning policies to reclassify the land as outside the development zone.
However, despite that commitment, no formal planning changes were implemented in the following years, prompting repeated criticism from environmental groups.
In 2024, Wirt iż-Żejtun again urged authorities to act, arguing that delays had left the area vulnerable and that promised protections had yet to materialise.
The Prime Minister did not divulge further details on timelines and the formal planning amendments.