The explosion of building areas being considered for overspill into the Maltese and Gozitan countryside has shocked me.

This urbanisation of rural areas would be the beginning of the end for any planning sense and rational governance?

A large number of the proposed sites are fertile agricultural land that grows our vegetables and fodder for our farm animals. The excuse that agricultural land not nourished by natural water is a no go in the farming community does not make any sense unless to please a handful of speculators and developers.

Some of the land in question is also home to archaeological remains, others are in prime garigue natural state, while others are within valley boundaries.

A mere look at what is being proposed for Mellieha, Mtarfa, Mgarr, Marsascala, Qrendi, Zurrieq, Birzebbuga – the list is endless – will destroy what we have.

But we are lucky enough to learn that the Maghtab rubbish dump will be turned into a national park, while the government, according to its proposals will then destroy Malta’s only existing National Park, i.e. Ta Qali, by turning it into a trade fair zone. Maghtab is good enough for the popolin to use for their Sunday picnic (never mind the toxic waste underneath) but it’s not good enough for the toffs to play golf on. Incredible but true.

Mark Causon

PEMBROKE