The government has denied a claim made by NGO Graffitti that it is planning legislation which will allow small bhuildings on agricultural land to be converted into hotels.

In a short statement, the Gozo and Planning Ministry said that there is no plan, neither a discussion in this regard.

Graffitti had claimed earlier today that the government is preparing legislation to allow small buildings on agricultural land to be converted into hotels.

“We have just received alarming information which, if true, will really mean the last nail in the coffin of ODZ in the Maltese islands,” Graffitti said on its social media pages..

“Reliable sources have told us that the Government is preparing legislation allowing buildings in the countryside, meant for agricultural use, to be changed into hotels. This will radically change the Maltese landscape by extending the invasion of horrible hotels, that have been sprouting everywhere in urban areas, to the Maltese countryside as well,” Graffitti said.

“The deceit of such a move becomes clear when one understands what has been happening during the past years. We know that hundreds of permits have been issued in the Maltese and Gozitan countryside – under the pretence of agricultural use – but which in fact had ulterior motives. We could mention, for example, the so called “sheep farm” in a protected valley in Bidnija – a “sheep farm” over three storeys equipped with a pool and a reception area.

Many of these buildings could be built thanks to the Rural Policy of 2014. Despite the fact that the same Government admitted that the Rural Policy is harming the Maltese countryside, this has remained unchanged, Graffitti said.

Nothing can justify the spread of hotels in the little countryside we have left. ODZ is ODZ – Outside Development Zones. Our country cannot handle any more destruction because of greed. The Maltese countryside cannot continue to be swallowed by greedy developers, the NGO said..

We are taking this threat to ODZ very seriously. If they are planning on approving such a destructive plan, we will fight them with all our might, Graffitti said.