Farmers will be allowed to build accommodation facilities for agri-tourism purposes under a new planning policy dealing with outside development zones.

The facilities would accommodate up to a maximum of 10 bedrooms and only be allowed on farms that cover 60 tumoli of land.

The policy approved by Cabinet groups together in one simplified document three previous policies dealing with ODZ areas. It was rolled out this morning by the planning authority. Planning Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon acknowledged the policy was likely to cause a debate but insisted it was not aimed at allowing the construction of new dwellings in ODZ areas.

"The policy's main aim is to protect the environment while allowing the creation of niche agriculture sectors," he said.

Dr Falzon said where development will be allowed - in cases like boutique wineries, olive oil production facilities and beekeeping - the applicant will have to enter into a contractual obligation that ties any dwelling with the use of the site.

"It will not be possible for a beekeeper to close shop and sell the house as a summer residence because any future sale of the property will have to keep the dwelling as part of a beekeeping operation," Dr Falzon said.

The part of the policy, arguably the most controversial is the part dealing with agri-tourism that will allow farmers who hold 60 tumoli of continuous land to venture into tourism.

This had raised fears in the environmental lobby that previously untouched agriculture land would be gobbled up to build hotel rooms, pools and other facilities.

But Dr Falzon insisted the conditions attached to such developments made it very unlikely that there would be a proliferation of buildings in rural areas.

"Owning 60 tumoli of land is the first requisite and there aren't many farmers who have such a vast expanse but even what can be built is heavily regulated and will be contractually bound," he insisted.

The policy dos allow the redevelopment of derelict buildings in ODZ areas in what can be interpreted as a vindication of the Victor Scerri Bahrija farmhouse case some years ago.

Dr Scerri, a former PN president, had obtained a controversial permit to redevelop a derelict farmhouse in a protected area in  Bahrija, a move opposed by green groups and the Labour Party at the time.

Part of the permit was subsequently revoked after an investigation by the Mepa auditor found shortcomings.

However, Dr Falzon insisted the new policy was aimed at preventing similar cases from cropping up. "The Bahrija case involved a site in a protected area and the redevelopment had increased the footprint of the original building, two things the new policy will not allow."

The 42-page policy also deals with stables, livestock farms and for the first time allow farmers to have a small retail outlet on site to sell their produce.

 

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