FAA queries application for cow farm at Magħtab

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) will today consider an application for a cow farm on arable land right next to residential homes in Magħtab even when disused farms nearby are being converted into warehouses, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) complained yesterday.

The environmental NGO said the Mepa case officer was recommending the granting of a development permit.

"This comes as no surprise as only last April, Mepa granted another outline development permit for the construction of a pig farm on 5,000 square metres of arable agricultural land very close to this proposed development.

"All this is happening when, just across the alley from this proposed development, an application is pending for the construction of warehousing facilities (PA 06929/07) in a long abandoned farming structure that occupies about 18,000 square metres of land.

"Other farmhouses nearby are also being converted and used for other purposes, such as the storage of building construction material and machinery," the FAA said.

Mepa's recent State Of The Environment Report clearly states that greater emphasis is to be placed on the protection of the rural environment. "The taking up of more agricultural land for development does not augur well for the future."