Development on rural areas continuing unabated, NGOs complain

Nine environmental groups this afternoon jointly appealed to the government to stop the "unsustainable destruction of Malta's rural areas" complaining that permits are still being issued for development outside building areas.

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth (Malta), Gaia Foundation, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement, Light Pollution Awareness Group, Ramblers Association of Malta, Save Wied Garnaw Group, Birdlife (Malta) and NatureTrust Malta said that over the last six months alone, MEPA approved 318 permits for structures in the countryside or ODZ, many of which are to be built on fresh agricultural land.

"Although MEPA regulations stipulate that only bona fide agricultural structures, parks and recreational facilities are normally permitted to be built in ODZ (Outside Development Zones), the NGOs are dismayed to see that these permits included flats, garages and light industries.

"It is therefore hardly surprising that developers are still confident of obtaining permits to build in ODZ and that in spite of official declarations of 'no more speculation in ODZ' such applications continue to flood into MEPA, with over 1,160 submitted to MEPA over the last 12 months, at an average rate of 20% of the total of applications submitted."

They said the rate of take-up of agricultural sites has further escalated recently with the setting up of small industrial zones on fields at 'Telgha t'Alla u'Ommu', Naxxar and several other sites. This could have been avoided by a Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) on the sector's present facilities and future needs.

"The damage inflicted on the limited remaining open undeveloped land and the environment is irreversible and leads to increased dependence on food imports, loss of biodiversity and rural character, decreased water catchment and infringement of EU regulations," the groups said.