An NGO has protested over the development of a sheep farm near San Dmitri Chapel in Gharb.

The organisation Ambjent Malti said in a statement said this was “excessive development without control and a planning permit”.

The organisation said that, at the moment, the site hosted some 300 sheep. The milk these sheep produced was being sold on the market and the developer was now extending the development to a public road.

It said that the area was the controversial site where the construction of a fireworks factory had been proposed. The council had opposed the application and held protests on site.

“Where is the local council today, are they frightened by something or someone,” the organisation asked.

It said that an enforcement notice on the site was still active, so, in line with the Development Planning Act, development could not be permitted under the Development Notification Order.

The submitted plans, it said, were misleading and did not faithfully reflect the existing situation as observed on site.

Moreover, information regarding previous applications as declared in the notification form was incorrect and misleading, and failed to report the existence of other applications, which were refused, appealed or dismissed.

Ambjent Malti said the area, which measured around 16,000 square metres, was being converted into a sheep farm and at the moment hosted some 300 sheep. The milk these sheep produced was being sold on the market and the developer was now extending the development to a public road.

Ambjent Malti said Mepa was informed of the situation through an email two weeks ago and several reminders were sent. All emails with photos were also sent to the Prime Minister, the minister responsible for Mepa Mario de Marco and Health Minister Joe Cassar.