Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar has voiced its strong objections to the inclusion of the Tal-Papa farm in the Birzebbuga Development Scheme, as this is a prime site of great agricultural and heritage value.
An FAA spokesman said that the farm is a unique site that was laboriously quarried by hand, applying ancient techniques of grooving and wedge splitting to hew out stone for neighbouring houses. Re-laying the soil created a sunken field, sheltered from wind and scorching sun, perfect for its 150 mature fruit trees. To this day, much of the farming is still carried out using traditional methods and an impressive water collection system. Run-off rainwater streams down the sides of the quarry and is caught by stone gutters carved into the rock walls to channel it into the six WWII shelters, which have been converted for extra water storage. Thanks to its large main reservoir, and the shelters, the Qala tal-Papa is assured of a constant supply of water that permits a year-round harvest of vegetables and fruit.
The tal-Papa farm is also a haven of bio-diversity, containing protected trees such as olive, carob, pomegranate, chaste berry (sigret il-vireg), hawthorn (anzalora), laurel, and the Sandarac Tree (sigra ta’ l-Gharghar), which are protected under Legal Notice 12, 2001. These trees are flourishing in their present site in a way that the “replacement or compensatory planting” mentioned in the Development Brief cannot guarantee. As well as different species of birds and reptiles, the shelters are home to endemic painted frogs and rare bats, both of which are protected under the EC Habitats Directive (1992), for which reason this case, Petition No. 450/2007, is being studied closely by the EU Environment Commission.
The six WWII shelters carved into the rock-face of the field are also protected by our Cultural Heritage Act, and give an insight into Malta’s wartime history.
On the subject of the rationalisation regulations, the FAA spokesman maintained: “This site cannot be considered a pocket area, as it is flanked by fields on three sides and a road on the fourth. It is to be noted that Birzebbuga has over 1,000 vacant dwellings and other empty sites that could be used for residential development. The tal-Papa farm not only offers a unique insight into our agricultural heritage and history, but is also a testimony to the resourcefulness of our ancestors and their attention to sustainability. Given its great potential, this site should never be built up but preserved as an agro-tourism project and, in fact, preparations for an EU-funded project on this farm have already commenced.”
FAA has also raised the following objections:
1. The land is owned by the Joint Office and as such can only be used for social purposes. Its zoning as a “Residential Area” does not fulfil this requirement.
2. The site was included in the Development Zones through the Marsaxlokk Bay Local Plan and the Rationalisation process. However, both these fail to conform to EU norms on public consultation or adherence to the Strategic Environment Assessment Directive. Both processes are under investigation by the EU Environment Commission and are the subject of an ongoing court case. Any steps leading to the development of this land would be a breach of these processes.
The redevelopment of this farm would violate Mepa’s own mission statement that: “We should carefully plan so that our heritage, this gem which we treasure, will not fade away”. It would also contravene Malta’s agricultural policy, rendering it more dependent upon imported foodstuffs, and would be contrary to the country’s environmental, heritage and tourism policies. It should therefore not be considered on any account.
FAA is urging the public to submit their opposition to the destruction of this unique site by sending their own objection or copying the above to [email protected] or writing to the Director of Planning (l-Ghirghien Development Brief), Malta Environment and Planning Authority, St Francis Ravelin, Floriana CMR 01.