Lidl applies for ODZ supermarket again

Supermarket chain Lidl has applied to construct a supermarket outlet, outside the development zone along Triq Dun Karm Psaila, better known as the Birkirkara bypass.

Birkirkara, Malta’s most populated locality, already has the Smart supermarket and Tower supermarket. Located in the bypass, the new supermarket would also attract shoppers from other localities. A Lidl supermarket already exists in San Gwann.

The application is still at the initial stages and is being screened by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The 5,184 square metre site, located in an area between a tennis club and Sqaq it-Tigieg, would include the supermarket and a 120-vehicle open-air car park.

The site at present includes abandoned agricultural land, patches of trees and structures such as water reservoirs. It is fully owned by Lidl. The applicant has declared that the project would not include any removal of trees or rubble walls.

Lidl has already opened two ODZ stores, in Luqa and Safi, both approved before the 2008 general elections. 

Other Lidl stores are in Santa Venera, San Gwann,Zejtun, and Qormi and in Xewkija, a small part of which is also outside the development zones. 

Lidl had also applied to build ODZ stores in Mosta and Zabbar but both applications were rejected. The chain has also recently applied to develop a supermarket instead of the Fort Blocks industrial complex in Mosta.