The environmental watchdog has objected to four planning applications on ODZ land that were filed very close to each other months after a rural road was covered in concrete.
Sources familiar with the area had said they feared that the construction of the new road, complete with new water and electrical services, would lead to the submission of development applications. They had also pointed out that the price of agricultural land in the area had increased drastically, raising fears of future development. The concrete road has also affected the flow of water into the terraced fields.
Over the past few months, the Planning Authority has received five applications pertaining to adjacent agricultural properties in one part of the Wardija valley. The Environment and Resources Authority has so far objected to four of them, although one of the applications is recommended for approval by the case officer.
One of the applications is for the demolition, relocation and reconstruction of a rural room, the construction of a reservoir and the reconstruction of rubble walls.
The ERA objected on the basis that such a development would result in rural land take-up, and that the built up structures would lead to “undesirable demand pressures,” such as the demand for ancillary infrastructure. The application is awaiting a recommendation by the case officer.
Another application is for the “restoration and reconstruction on dilapidated rubble walls, the excavation and construction of an underground reservoir and overlying pump room, and installation of a gate.”
ERA objected, saying the pump room cannot be justified since the land in question is not eligible for cultivation. The proposed height of the rubble walls is also excessive and would have an adverse impact on the surrounding environment. This application is currently suspended at the perit's request.
The third application proposes the “repair and construction of existing rubble walls, removal of topsoil to create a passage for agricultural vehicles in beaten earth, and the creation of a wooden gate.”
The environment watchdog said the proposed passage with sidewalls would result in approximately 260m2 rural land take-up, negative visual impacts, and a loss of rural character. The proposal is not akin to any agricultural practices, it continued. The application is recommended for refusal by the case officer. The application will be decided today.
Another application has already been approved by the Planning Authority despite ERA’s objection. The application was for the construction of an underground reservoir with an overlying pump room.
ERA had objected, saying the position of the development would result in land degradation during the excavation and construction phase, and may set a pretext for the construction of a passageway, leading to further degradation of topsoil.
The genuine requirement for a pump room and reservoir was questionable seeing that not all the owner’s land can be cultivated, it said, adding that the development would also lead to the take-up of rural land and impact the area’s character.
A fifth application proposes an underground reservoir and ancillary pump room. The application includes also the rehabilitation and re-construction of the existing boundary walls and installation of a timber paneled gate. ERA has not yet commented on this particular application, which is awaiting a recommendation by the case officer.