Supermarket on ODZ land unacceptable – MDA head
The Malta Developers Association is objecting to the proposed Lidl supermarket on virgin land outside development zone on the Birkirkara Bypass, insisting it is a “no go”.
Since the development is not a project of national importance there is no reason for the take-up of uncommitted ODZ land, MDA President Sandro Chetcuti told The Sunday Times of Malta, insisting his association was in favour of sustainable development.
Lidl has applied for a development permit on a site over 5,000 square metres along the Birkirkara bypass. The site is not committed, he said, meaning there is no existing building on the land.
This is not the first time the supermarket chain has raised controversy over development applications. Lidl has already opened two outlets in ODZ areas – in Luqa and Safi. Its outlet in Gozo is also partly located in an ODZ area.
Lidl had also tried to build outlets in ODZ areas in Mosta and Żabbar but both applications were rejected.
More in The Sunday Times of Malta.