Over 1,000 Gozitan and Maltese residents have objected to an application to change the zoning of 5,387 sqm of agricultural land that is currently designated as ODZ to a residential development zone in Għarb, Moviment Graffitti said in a statement.

“This application is a total non-starter due to its outrageous re-zoning of ODZ land to a residential development request, not to mention the flagrant disregard for a number of planning and development laws. If given the green light, the application would set a very ugly precedent and pave the way for further devastation of the Gozitan landscape and rural setting, spelling disaster for Għarb and other quaint Gozitan villages,” the NGO said.

The Birbuba area in Għarb serves as a green enclave and a much-needed open space, offering a respite from the uglification that has come to taint the landscape, the NGO added. “Besides being prized for its tranquil, quaint setting and rural authenticity, the land is also used for agricultural purposes. Its re-zoning and eventual urbanization would spell disaster for the agricultural community, since it would facilitate the further loss and take-up of agricultural land for residential development, sealing the fate of the local agricultural industry.”

Moviment Graffitti argued that the rezoning of land Outside the Development Zone to residential development is “clearly prohibited” by the laws of Malta and “runs counter to a number of planning policies, meaning that the application’s request is technically unlawful. Nothing can ever justify the change in zoning from ODZ to residential development. The Planning Authority is therefore bound to refuse the application on these grounds, and we are retaining the authorities directly responsible for breach of law if their decision is in favour.”

The NGO said that the application goes one step further, and besides the re-zoning of ODZ request, it even proposes a new road.

“Presently, given the fact that traffic is very minimal, there is absolutely no evidence that the new proposed access road is required to alleviate traffic problems, nor is there any evidence that this land is required to support current or foreseeable future housing needs. The purpose of the road would be to facilitate access to any eventual residential development and cater for new traffic in the area that would result from such a development. If anything, this only serves as confirmation that the application is only fuelled by the greed and private interests of some developers.”

“The fact that it is being led by one of Joseph Portelli’s employees is not surprising. Applications such as this are clear evidence of the impunity enjoyed by certain developers, who will go to all lengths to satiate their insatiable greed. Obscene re-zoning and development applications such as this are becoming the norm due to the systemic dysfunction of the planning system.”

The Għarb local council, the NGO said, has also voted unanimously against the application.

“We, therefore, urge the Planning Authority to take due consideration of the Local Council’s position and heed the call of over 1,000 concerned citizens who have objected to this application and demanded its outright refusal.”