Deer farm with its own slaughterhouse, at an all-inclusive agritourism

The area of 88,000 sq.m proposed for the project is designated as one of high landscape value due to its proximity to the Victoria Lines, which span from Fort Madliena in the east to the Fomm ir-Rih redoubt on the west passing along the Dwejra lines. 

Deer meat would be on offer if the Mgarr agritourism operation is given the green light
Deer meat would be on offer if the Mgarr agritourism operation is given the green light
The proposed project would take up 88,000 square metres of land
The proposed project would take up 88,000 square metres of land

Fancy living in an agritourism area set on a deer farm, sip some wine from the in-house winery and eat Bambi’s tender meat after it has been freshly killed in an adjacent slaughterhouse? It is all being proposed on 88,000 sq.m of land next to the historical Victoria lines.

The agritourism operation located in a single block is being proposed at id-Dwejra in Mgarr, to include 10 rooms for accommodation, a breakfast and dining area, a kitchen, a laundry and a lounge area and various amenities including a deer farm (already existing on site), a slaughterhouse, a pool area, a sizeable dwelling for the deer keeper, an olive press and a winery.

The area of 88,000 sq.m proposed for the project is designated as one of high landscape value due to its proximity to the Victoria Lines, which span from Fort Madliena in the east to the Fomm ir-Rih redoubt on the west passing along the Dwejra lines. 

The area is in an Area of Ecological Importance and accorded Grade 4 protection, which entails fewer restrictions on development than more highly protected sites, subject however to the condition that the natural habitat in such areas is safeguarded.

Plans for the new project were proposed by farmer and landscaping entrepreneur Emmanuel Ciantar and include various amenities, such as a 150 sq.m pool area, a 71 sq.m slaughterhouse, a 182 sq.m farm dwelling, a 15 sq.m farm retail outlet, a 200 sq.m winery which will include a wine tasting area, and a 50 sq.m patch for olive oil production facilities. It is being proposed in Mgarr.

The plans were presented by architect Charles Buhagiar, an MP and chairman of the Building Industry Consultative Council.

The guest rooms, located in a single block, will be shielded by a “green roof” consisting of trees, and parts of the development will be developed underground.

The development is being proposed on 13,733 sq.m of land of which fewer than 1,000 sq.m will be built up, olive trees will cover 25,603 sq.m, and a 26,621 sq.m area will be used to grow fodder for deer, and 22,585 sq.m will be turned into a vineyard.

Presently the area includes an olive grove, an area for the deer to roam and a disused quarry.

The application in Dwejra is at the initial stages and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority still has to write a screening letter to inform the developers whether the project conforms to existing policies. 

The current policy regulating agritourism states that any proposed building “shall accommodate seven to 10 guest rooms with ancillary facilities which may include a swimming pool area” and that “the building shall not exceed a total floor space of 400m2”. The policy explicitly states that such development can only take place on sites occupying 60 tumuli (67,000 sq.m). 

But the new policy also allows developers to incorporate other facilities like boutique wineries, horse riding establishments and stables, swimming pools, olive oil production, bee keeping facilities, farm shops and other developments in the same area. 

Two agritourism projects have already been proposed in Gozo. An agritourism project along Marsalforn road in Xaghra is being proposed by Ta’ Mena estates. The proposed development is set to include 10 suites, a free-range area for the Maltese black chicken, beekeeping facilities and an olive press.

Another project has been proposed on agricultural land along Triq is-Sarg and Triq il-Horg in Kercem. This project includes 10 rooms, a store and reception area, a pool and a breakfast area.

Another application in Malta comes from falconry enthusiast Rennie Scicluna at Munxar, Marsaskala has presented an application, which is in a more advanced state. The proposed complex, which has been shot down by environmentalists, will consist of eight guest rooms and a restaurant, a semi-basement wine bar, a health and fitness centre and a conference facility and a basement hosting an agro-food processing centre. The second component of the project is a 300 sq.m animal farm and underground store, and 1,260 sq.m of greenhouses.