The Planning Authority has approved an application for the development of fields on the outskirts of Mosta, nine years after a similar proposal for the same area had been rejected.The application (PC/00021/19), submitted by developer Charles Azzopardi, seeks to establish zoning, building heights and road alignments for a site included in the rationalisation exercise area at Tad-Dib, near Torri Cumbo.The approval is expected to pave the way for the construction of three-storey buildings across most of the site as reported by Times of Malta.The proposal drew around 400 objections from residents, many of whom raised concerns about the environmental and infrastructural impact of the development.The Planning Authority board approved the application subject to a number of conditions. These include that 70% of the area designated as green space must be landscaped. The development will also not allow vehicular access from Cumbo Street, with only pedestrian access permitted from that road.An old building located on the site, which had previously been listed as a reserved matter, will no longer be treated as such.Instead, it will either be relocated or removed, subject to agreement from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH). The change followed concerns raised by the chair regarding potential traffic issues.Objectors had also called for an archaeological evaluation of the entire 40,000-square-metre site, as requested by the SCH. However, the architect representing the application, from Falzon & Cutajar, opposed this and proposed that the assessment be conducted plot by plot instead.The chair agreed, stating that the site was too large to be assessed all at once. The archaeological evaluation will therefore be carried out in phases, block by block, with a separate assessment for each section.He also confirmed that an assessment of the natural habitat will be required, following a request by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA).During the hearing, nearby residents voiced concerns about the impact the development could have on local wildlife and vegetation. One neighbour, Tanya Chaytor, said hedgehogs are regularly seen on the site. A representative of Nature Trust also said the area is home to several animals, as well as old trees and other wildlife that should be protected.Residents also raised concerns about infrastructure and connectivity once construction begins. Stephen Gatt said he was particularly worried about parking in the area. “We will lose the limited parking spaces we still have,” he said.The proposed development has also been criticised by ADPD, which has repeatedly raised concerns about the area. One of the party’s members, Carmel Cacopardo, attended Tuesday’s decision.ADPD has previously traced the origins of the proposed development back to 2006, when Parliament controversially voted to open two million square metres of Outside Development Zone land for building projects as part of the Rationalisation of Development Zone Boundaries exercise.During the hearing, the chair acknowledged that nearby residents wanted the land to remain an open green space, but noted that the site had already been designated within the development zone by the government.What do you think of this development?•