A week after the rejection of a controversial retirement home in Wied Għomor, the Planning Authority has approved a residential development in another part of the valley, despite local councils’ objections.
The application, approved by the PA board on Thursday, will redevelop an existing farmhouse in Triq il-Wied, Swieqi, increasing the built-up footprint into what is now a courtyard and adding a new first floor.
The Swieqi and San Ġwann local councils, as well as several environmental groups and residents, had objected to the plans due to the effect on the protected valley and the risk of setting a precedent for further development.
Nevertheless, the PA case officer had recommended the application for approval as an acceptable rehabilitation of a vernacular building.
Read: Wied Għomor - Valley under siege by barrage of developments
The PA board voted 10 to two in favour of the application, in line with the recommendation. NGO representative Annick Bonello and Opposition representative Marthese Portelli voted against, citing the impact on Wied Għomor. Government representative Clayton Bartolo was not present.
A previous application on the same site - for a much larger development including a swimming pool and decking - had been turned down by the PA two years ago, and later confirmed at appeal.
The application was rejected due to the scale and massing of the proposed extension, and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) had flagged up concerns over the intensification of development and adverse impacts on the character of the valley.
No such concerns were raised with the new application, which limited development to the farmhouse’s current footprint and reduced the extent of interventions to the original built fabric.
During today’s hearing, board member Timmy Gambin argued that the project was a good example of a sensitive rural residential development and should not be penalised due to other issues.
Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, Din L-Art Ħelwa and Nature Trust all objected to the proposal.
The Swieqi local council, which has long protested development in the valley, said the application was in conflict with several policies and would increase the total floor-space three times over, building up the traditional courtyard which gave the rural building its distinct character.
The council also noted that there was no evidence that the building had ever been used as a dwelling, which was central to the application. The case officer had acknowledged the lack of evidence but said a report prepared by the architect indicated that this was “most probably” the case.