Labour MP fumes over quarry plans, says Bilom ‘raped Wied Incita’

Labour Whip Godfrey Farrugia has spoken out against plans by construction developers Bilom to turn their quarry at Attard’s Wied Incita, into a new industrial park for small and medium enterprises.

The controversial plans have riled neighbouring residents and environmental groups who fear the plans will turn the once pristine valley into a new industrial complex.

“Wied Incita has been raped by quarry owners, rendering its habitat lifeless... the irregularities are well known,” Farrugia, who is an MP for the constituency that includes neighbouring Zebbug, said.

“It seems that policy loopholes are being sought by misusing the recently approved solar farm policy to develop an industrial park in an ODZ area... on an excuse that the owners will be helping the carbon footprint and build an adjacent family park. Wow. We must be most grateful,” Farrugia added sardonically in a post on his Facebook wall.

The proposed development stretches over 22 football fields of ODZ land in Wied Incita

Plans envision the development of 235 garages, a retail outlet and a family recreation park

“How about restoring the valley and its biodiversity? Bilom owes it to us,” Farrugia said of the Attard quarry, which nearby residents frequently complain about the level of noise and dust it generates on a daily basis.

Bilom is proposing the development of a huge industrial park for small and medium-sized enterprises equipped with an overlying solar farm over 158,000 square metres on the site currently taken up by the quarries.

The development also foresees the construction of a family recreational park and a retail outlet, all set on the 158,000 square metre tract equivalent in area to 22 football fields, of land outside development zones in Wied Incita. 

Plans seen by MaltaToday envision the development of 235 garages occupying 55,000 square metres of land, a retail outlet to be built over 7,460 square metres while the family recreation park would occupy only 2,550 m2. Land is also identified for recycling facilities.

The land is “disturbed” by quarrying activities, which according to residents are causing a serious inconvenience due to noise and dust. But as proposed the development also foresees an extension to one of the existing quarries and the relocation of the existing quarry entrance and administrative offices to the Zebbug side.

A draft policy on solar farms identifies disused quarries as potential sites for ODZ solar panels. The local plan also proposes a buffer zone between the residential area and the quarries. In the latest application the family park is being proposed as the buffer zone.

Godfrey Farrugia said he wants to see a responsible approach where laws and policies improve quality of life, sustain resources, and preserve heritage “to safeguard our common good and generate long-term sustainable benefits for the whole of society. I am one for an absolute ‘no’ to the further destruction of our natural heritage,” the MP said.