Agro-tourism policy issued for public consultation

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has initiated a public consultation process to amend its policies on outside development zones (ODZ), to facilitate the redevelopment of existing farm buildings into agro-tourism establishments or visitor attractions.

Parliamentary Secretary Michael Farrugia has already hinted that the government intends to encourage agro-tourism projects.

"We don't have in mind hotels in the middle of the countryside but farms offering a number of limited beds to tourists," Farrugia told MaltaToday in a recent interview.

One of the policies considered is the Development Control Guidelines on ODZ swimming pools, which will be integrated into an encompassing policy catering for all ODZ developments.

The current policy on swimming pools issued in 2000 allows for the construction of new swimming pools inside the immediate boundaries - or "cartilage" - of existing buildings or as an extension to that cartilage.

But the development should not lead to the loss of fertile, good quality agricultural land or affect valleys, cliff-sides, scheduled property or other sites of ecological, geological, archaeological, cultural or historical importance.

According to present rules, the extent of paving or hard surfacing around the swimming pool is limited to not more than 50% of the pool area.

The area allocated for swimming pool cannot exceed 50m2 for a single residential Unit and 70m2 for multiple residential units.

The new policy being drafted by MEPA is also aimed at allowing the redevelopment or rehabilitation of pre-1967 farm buildings whilst "eliminating visual intrusions in the rural scene".

The redevelopment of farmhouses has been an ongoing controversial issue resulting in major planning scandals like that leading to resignation of ex-PN president Victor Scerri following a damning report by former MEPA auditor Joe Falzon on the way MEPA approved an application presented by the politician's wife.

Another controversial issue is the redevelopment of farmhouses into stables. An investigation carried out after 2008 had revealed that a number of these converted buildings were being used as private residences.

The policy is also aimed at making "good use" of scheduled historic buildings in ODZ locations and to encourage the sustainable use of water.

The overall aim of the policy is to "ensure a balance between the protection of the environment and ODZ development."

The government has already appointed a working committee to draft the new policy, which will be chaired by Environment Planning Commission board member Elisabeth Ellul. The committee includes three other MEPA officials, two representatives of the Parliamentary Secretariat for Agriculture and one representative of the Malta Tourism Association.

The public consultation was actually first announced in a newspaper advert published on union daily l-Orizzont on 31 August, on PN organ In-Nazzjon on 3 September and on the Sunday Times yesterday giving people between one week and 16 days to submit their feedback depending on which newspaper they read.  

The public is being invited to send its comments to MEPA by not later than 16 September by sending an email on [email protected]