An illegally-developed farmhouse operating as an unlicensed restaurant in Gudja has been ordered to shut down by the tourism authority.

The demand for closure, which followed an enforcement order that had been issued by the planning authority last year, comes on the back of a report by Times of Malta on Tuesday exposing the illegal operation and residents’ complaints about it.

Following up on the story, the Malta Tourism Authority inspected the site and then told the police to close the restaurant down.

The action follows an enforcement notice issued by the planning authority in 2012 in which it was highlighted that most of the present structure – rooms, paving, lofts, stores and an outdoor oven structure – were illegal and should be demolished.

Hopefully I won’t have to spend any more mornings washing the urine and vomit from the side of my house

But in spite of Mepa’s action and a string of complaints from residents, the restaurant continued to operate.

Now, it turns out that the eatery was not even covered by an MTA permit.

The restaurant, Scicluna Farmhouse, which is located between a rural and residential area of Gudja, poses as a family getaway.

It is hidden behind a reed fence and features several tables, restrooms and a dining hall, complete with flat screen televisions and even a small illegal zoo. The Scicluna premises have been operating as a restaurant for three years, originally offering group bookings for meals of suckling pig, horse meat and rabbit.

But those who visited the site in recent weeks said the restaurant now catered for small groups and even passing trade.

When contacted originally, the farmhouse’s owner Anton Scicluna claimed he had all the necessary permits. Eventually, he backtracked saying that he had applied for a permit, but a spokesman for Mepa said this was not true either.

When contacted yesterday, Malta Hotel and Restaurant Association President Tony Zahra condemned all illegal catering operations, insisting that such establishments created an “uneven playing field” for others in the industry.

“There are standards and if you don’t abide by these then you are at an unfair advantage. The MHRA wants the law to be observed by everyone no matter how innovative they might be,” he said.

Last year the MHRA held an open seminar with Mepa and stakeholders which directly tackled the “growing problem” of illegal restaurants.

“One of the main problems was in Mġarr where many restaurants which serve rabbit said they couldn’t keep up with unlicensed establishments serving this traditional Maltese dish,” Mr Zahra said.

The tourism authority said that it was clamping down on the phenomenon but did not comment on how many such establishments were being investigated.

“The MTA carries out regular inspections in establishments regulated by the Tourism Act, including all those on which reports are received,” a spokesman said.

Back in residential Gudja, locals welcomed news that the “boisterous” farmhouse would be shut down.

“Maybe we’ll get a good night’s sleep now that the loud music and shouting will stop. Hopefully I won’t have to spend any more mornings washing the urine and vomit from the side of my house,” said one relieved resident.