The planning authority has approved the demolition and reconstruction of an agricultural store outside development boundaries at Ix-Xagħra ta’ l-Isqof in Rabat against the recommendation of the case officer.
The application by Josef Azzopardi, who is represented by architect Robert Musumeci, was to demolish an existing agricultural store, which is currently in a dangerous state, and reconstruct it on the same footprint.
The proposal also included an underlying basement store, alterations to a reservoir and the opening of an access gate.
The agricultural advisory committee was against the proposed project, which is located in a designated area of agricultural value, on grounds that it was not considered to be of benefit to agriculture or the environment.
The demolition of the room was not necessary, while the store’s metal ceiling could easily be replaced
As a result, the case officer deemed the project to be in conflict with the rural objectives of the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development, which plan seeks to guide development that is justified within rural areas,and recommended its refusal.
Din l-Art Ħelwa also expressed concern, given the sensitive nature of the site, and stated that the demolition of the room was not necessary, while the store’s metal ceiling could easily be replaced. Despite the objections, the planning commission board voted unanimously in favour of the proposal yesterday, citing a policy of the planning authority’s rural policy and design guidance.
The policy states that there will be a presumption in favour of existing storage facilities for arable farming that were erected before October 1994 as long as the existing building is visible on maps or aerial photos taken before that time.
As had been noted in the case officer’s report, this criterion was fulfilled and the project was therefore deemed to be in compliance.
Changes to the rural policy in July 2015 have led to a string of developments in ODZ areas.
This newspaper reported last January how rural areas were being bombarded with development applications for agriculture stores and farms to be turned into residential units.