Bilom withdraws Wied Incita application

Construction group Bilom has withdrawn an application proposing the development of a huge industrial park for small- and medium-sized enterprises on the site currently taken up by quarries in Wied Incita

Bilom's proposal had included an extension to one of the existing quarries
Bilom's proposal had included an extension to one of the existing quarries

Construction group Bilom has withdrawn an application proposing the development of a huge industrial park for small- and medium-sized enterprises equipped with an overlying solar farm over 158,000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 quarries in Wied Incita, Attard. 

The application was withdrawn after the Planning Directorate issued a case officer report recommending that the PA should turn down the application.

The application also foresaw the construction of a family recreational park and a 7,600m2 retail outlet. According to the report the proposed development of an SME park with overlying solar farm and the construction of a retail outlet located Outside Development Zone were not considered “legitimate or necessary” within the rural area.

The approval of the application was also deemed to prejudice the national waste management objective in view of the national issue related to the lack of space for the disposal of inert waste.  The land earmarked for the development 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 foresaw an extension to one of the existing quarries and the relocation of the existing quarry entrance and administrative offices to the Zebbug side. 

Moreover the development did not envision the rehabilitation of the land for agricultural use. According to the local plan “on exhaustion of the mineral resource, the Wied Incita quarry is to be used as a natural reservoir and drain area”.