The Planning Board today refused a planning application to sanction development works which are accommodating wild animals and ancillary facilities at a site that was previously used as agricultural land.

The site lies outside development zone, in an area known as Ta’ San Pawl Kuntent, in Rabat.

The illegal works which are covered by an enforcement notice, consisted of an installation of large metal cage, excavation of rock for stores, stables, installation of a metal spinning wheel, construction of roofed structures and rubble walls.

The applicant was also proposing to add more cages and ancillary facilities.

The board cited that the application to sanction works went against a number of rural planning policies that sought to facilitate sustainable rural development by controlling the location and design, as well as the cumulative effect of such development.

It noted that since the land was government-owned, the applicant had to seek official clearance from the Government Property Division as required by law. No such clearance was provided with the application.