The approved dairy farm in Maghtab which early today was granted a full development permit by the Environment and Planning Commission is in accordance with all planning policies and regulations, Mepa said.

It said in a statement that the permitted development, which will be built within the rural settlement of Maghtab close to a number of other operational farms, had been granted an outline development permit in 2008.

The farm was being opposed by residents who this week launched a last ditch appeal against the development, pointing out that they were still "battling" over appeals against the outline although the full permit was completed with a favourable recommendation.

They pointed out that, by recommending a grant, the case officer was prejudicing the appeal process, the association pointed out.

Mepa said this evening that the farm's site was within an area which has, for the past 50 years, been predominantly committed for the operation of numerous livestock farms including poultry, pigs, rabbits and other dairy farms. It was also characterised by many stables and intensive agriculture related establishments.

"The application for the dairy farm was backed by the clearance and no objection issued by all the competent authorities normally consulted during the processing of similar development proposals, including the Department of Environmental Health, Malta Resources Authority, Department of Agriculture and the Department of Veterinary Services," it said.

Mepa said that during the public hearing, Koperattiva Produtturi Halib, explained that the approved dairy farm was to be constructed according to the Code of Good Agricultural Practices and, therefore, had the appropriate design to ensure proper animal welfare, waste management and hygiene practices in full respect of environmental protection.

The permit included extensive conditions to ensure that these standards were fully implemented, including an Environmental Permit regulating the farm's operations.

"Such farms need to be located at least 183 metre away from the development zone, which distance is the threshold stipulated in the relevant policy."

Residents insist that the nearest residence is 50 meters away from the proposed cow farm.

Mepa, however, said:

"The nearest schemed urban settlements are more than a kilometre away from the development site.

"Residential units within the Maghtab area are mostly agricultural buildings converted for habitation and are sparsely spread amongst the existing operational farms.

"Whilst MEPA notes that the residents of such converted farmhouses may view the dairy farm permit with apprehension it is to be appreciated that Maghtab has been used for the operation of livestock farms for over 50 years.

"It is better, from a planning point of view, to concentrate were possible such livestock farms in an already dedicated area like Maghtab, rather than distribute them along the rest of our limited countryside.

"Moreover, all necessary measures of abatement will be the subject of environment permit conditions," Mepa said.

The authority said that with the introduction of the new environment and planning legislation, through the MEPA reform earlier this year, this planning permit would be temporarily suspended for 30 days giving registered objectors the right to submit an appeal.

The Environment and Planning Review Tribunal had the right to confirm the suspension on the permit pending the hearing of the appeal, it said.

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