The selection of locations for elderly care homes in Malta is one that brings up much debate. There have been a number of applications over the years for such homes to be built in the countryside, on land that is located outside the development zone.

But this should not be the case, and the argument against their construction outside the development zone can be listed under two points.

The first is environmental considerations. The Environment and Resources Authority put it best in a document it filed over one such application. The application in question proposes the construction of an elderly care home on the outskirts of Marsaskala. The ERA said that "the proposal is objectionable from an environmental point of view, as this would lead to uptake of land ODZ to accommodate urban uses. Urban type developments should be restricted to areas already established for such uses."

Building an elderly home outside the development zone creates a precedent, and open space is lost. Malta's ODZ land is limited. It should be kept pristine for the enjoyment of the public and future generations. Even if it is private land which the public cannot enter, the open space still creates a feeling of openness and greenery, which is needed. The country needs open space, where people can breathe fresh air and not see apartment blocks and concrete.

Surely there are areas within the development zone where care homes can be built.

There are other elderly home applications currently going through the planning application process for sites located outside the development zone. Two that come to mind are situated between Naxxar and Gharghur. Both are not located far from a care home that was already build on ODZ land a few years ago. If both are approved, that open space will be lost for good, and the green area between the two localities would be that much smaller.

The second point that needs to be brought up is that the argument can be made that it is far better for care homes to be situated in the heart of localities, rather than cut off on the outskirts. Firstly, it means residents could easily walk to go shopping, to mingle at cafes and be part of the community. Yes, one could take a bus or a taxi, but the feeling is not the same. A person might feel more reluctant to take a taxi or bus into town to buy a few groceries, than just walk a short distance.

Remaining within the community means there is a higher chance of remaining active. Even more so if the care home is located in the locality where the person lived for years.

The government's policy of helping elderly people remain living in their own homes as much as possible is, of course, a good one. But this isn't always an option, and in localities where there are too few care homes for residents who need one the government should try and remedy that, but should do so by building, or encouraging the construction of, care homes within the development zones, not outside of them.