'Bring down Bidnija's fake sheep farm,' activists urge Planning Authority

Moviment Graffitti has called on the Planning Authority (PA) to demolish a “fake sheep farm” in Bidnija following a court ruling last week that rejected an application for a retrial concerning the revocation of the structure's planning permit.

The building is located in an ODZ area in the Bidnija valley. 

According to Moviment Graffitti, the structure includes several floors, reception areas and a swimming pool, and is situated in an area containing freshwater habitats of ecological importance.

In November 2025, a court rejected an appeal filed by Jason Vella challenging the revocation of his development permit. The judgement confirmed that the permit, issued in 2018, is null and void, and that the underlying application cannot be reopened or reprocessed.

Following the latest ruling, Moviment Graffitti is calling on the PA to proceed with the demolition of the building and the restoration of the site, as far as possible, to its natural state.

The organisation also warned against any attempt to amend existing planning regulations or otherwise regularise the structure, saying it would oppose such measures.

Demolition works carried out on illegal or irregular structures are not a common sight in Malta. 

In June this year, the PA ordered the demolition of a villa in Armier after its was being illegally constructed while authorities looked on. Despite the demolition order, the villa was still standing as of September.

In October, the PA removed the paving outside of Carlo Stivala’s Piccolo Padre restaurant in Sliema.

Lawyer Claire Bonello represented the two organisations throughout the proceedings.