PD backs proposal to turn Wied Incita into an ecological park

The Democratic Party (PD) has backed proposal to turn Wied Incita into an ecological park to be enjoyed by Maltese and Gozitans alike.

Construction developers Bilom is planning to turn their quarry at Attard’s Wied Incita, into a new industrial park for small and medium enterprises stretching over 158,000 square metres.

The party led by Marlene Farrugia said it supports the proposal put forward by leftist organisation Zmienijietna, saying that by restoring and returning Wied Incita back to the people “this government would be mitigating the environmental damage inflicted both by the previous administration and by the current administration's poor environmental policies.”

Farrugia’s partner and Labour whip Godfrey Farruga this week lambasted Bilom’s plans. “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.

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.

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.