Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1031063
8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 SEPTEMBER 2018 JAMES DEBONO PLANNERS have endorsed the development of 10 bungalow rooms, a reception and pool in an outside development zone in Kercem despite strong ob- jections by the environment watchdog. The decision is expected on 11 October and if approved will be the first to get a per- mit under the 2014 policy al- lowing agri tourism develop- ments on "contiguous" land holdings larger than 60 tumoli (67,000sq.m). The proposed project en- dorsed by the Planning Direc- torate is at the periphery of Kercem, overlooking the pic- turesque Xlendi valley. However, the Environment and Resources Authority has questioned whether the devel- opment is in line with the pol- icy, given that the proponents own scattered land parcels. The application filed by Jochen, Stephan and Salvu Ta- bone is proposing the develop- ment of a 400sq.m agritourism complex, which will consist of 10 guest rooms, an independ- ent breakfast area and a recep- tion area. A 93sq.m swimming pool area will also compliment the complex. Visitors to the site will have the opportunity to experience a number of hands-on farming activities, which include fruit picking, planting and animal rearing. The site lies in an area known as Ix-Xaghri and the surround- ing area is mainly character- ised by farmland. The development is intended to serve as agritourism accom- modation ancillary to the cow, sheep and mushroom farms. But ERA has questioned whether the proposed accom- modation is meant to comple- ment the existing agricultural activities in the area. The environment authority believes a "genuine agritour- ism" is one "which seeks to provide modest accommoda- tion for visitors within an op- erational farm". Moreover, according to ERA the land parcels owned by the developers cannot be consid- ered contiguous land as con- firmed by the PA's own Agri- cultural Advisory Committee. "It is being noted that frag- mented and scattered parcels have been added to seek policy eligibility," the ERA submis- sions state. Documentation presented in the application confirms that the proponents own 71 tumoli of land scattered around the proposed development. Some of these holdings are only linked to each other through passageways on other land holdings. The mushroom farm, cow farm and sheep farm located in the immediate vicinity of the development cover 33 tumoli of land. Apart from resulting in the obliteration of existing envi- ronmental features and the take up of good agricultural land, ERA also expressed con- cern that further requests for additional rooms could be made in the future to accom- modate the proposed develop- ment. "Approval of this application could also set an undesirable precedent for similar propos- als and increase pressure for up-scaling of the development after the principle is estab- lished," ERA said. The authority also noted that the proposed structures were being proposed just 100 me- tres away from the develop- ment zone, further blurring the boundaries between the countryside and Kercem's ur- ban development zone. But despite these observa- tions, the case officer skirted around the issues, insisting that the development was in line with the Rural Policy and Design Guidance and compat- ible with the rural character of the area. Specific conditions will en- sure that the accommodation complex and the farming en- terprise operate as a single unit and are not sold or operated separately and any "future ex- pansion of the complex would have to be subject to a separate application which would be as- sessed accordingly", the case officer said. A visual assessment, which is unavailable on the PA's web- site, also indicates that the proposal will not have "any negative impact on views to- wards the area". The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage also regis- tered its "apprehension". It also called on the PA to fol- low the principles enshrined in the European Landscape Convention, which binds Malta to respect its historical landscapes. NEWS Hexagon House, Spencer Hill, Marsa. era.org.mt Regula on (EU) No. 1143/2014 on invasive alien species restricts the keeping, importa on, sale, breeding, cul va on and release of invasive alien species which are of par cular concern for EU Member States. These species include common pets such as the red-eared slider and ornamental plants such as the crimson fountaingrass. The full list of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern is available at h ps://era.org.mt/en/ Pages/List-of-IAS-of-Union-Concern.aspx. Persons, traders, retailers and establishments who are in possession of these species are requested to familiarise themselves and comply with such restric ons. ERA remains available for further guidance via e-mail on info@era.org.mt or telephone on 2292 3500 during office hours. INVASIVE ALIEN ANIMALS & PLANTS POSSESSION & TRADE Project set for approval despite strong objections by ERA KERCEM AGRITOURISM Picturesque view from the location of the proposed development along Triq is-Sarg in Kercem The document presented to prove that the developers own more than 60 tumoli of supposedly "contiguous" land in the area