Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541988
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 DECEMBER 2025 NEWS Josielle Gaffarena's Zebbug 'sheep farm' on rural land set for refusal THE Planning Authority's Develop- ment Management Directorate has recommended the refusal of an outline application seeking to sanction exist- ing structures and convert them into a sheep farm on a rural site in Triq it- Tnax ta' Mejju, Żebbuġ. The application, submitted by Josielle Gaffarena, proposes sanctioning existing ODZ buildings—some covered by an ac- tive enforcement notice—demolishing 146sq.m of illegal structures, construct- ing a cesspit, manure clamp, equipment area and feed storage, and changing the use of the site to a sheep farm. A final decision is due on 17 December. This latest application forms part of a prolonged effort by the Gaffarena family to obtain recognition for extensive ille- gal development. Between 2005 and 2007, arable land on the site was transformed into a 370sq.m residence, a 50sq.m swimming pool, landscaped areas and multiple animal enclosure—including exotic species such as llamas and zebras. An attempt by Mark Gaffarena to reg- ularise the residence was refused in 2020 and rejected on appeal in 2022. The on- ly permit ever approved was an outline permit for stables in 2008, which has long expired. According to the case officer's report, the proposal could not be properly as- sessed due to substantial missing infor- mation. The PA said essential drawings, structural details, boundary-wall meas- urements, soil data and waste-manage- ment specifications were never sub- mitted. Repeated requests made to the architect last July went unanswered. The report also notes that the exten- sive unpermitted works covered by a 2008 enforcement notice cannot be sanctioned through an outline permit which is meant to set the parameters for a future full development application. The Authority concluded that the ap- plication runs counter to the South Mal- ta Local Plan and the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development, which restrict land take-up in rural areas to genuine agricultural needs. The propos- al, involving the regularisation of large ODZ structures and the introduction of additional facilities, was deemed incom- patible with these policy objectives. The proposal was opposed by both the Environment and Resources Authority and the Agriculture Advisory Commit- tee. The ERA warned that the site had al- ready suffered "adverse environmental impacts" from unpermitted structures, animal enclosures, hard paving and a swimming pool, contributing to urban sprawl and the loss of rural character. The AAC flagged excessive storage spac- es, substandard animal pens, insufficient ventilation, incomplete waste-manage- ment information, and the absence of proof of the applicant's competence to run a livestock operation. Reporting by James Debono The rrural site in Triq it-Tnax ta' Mejju, Zebbug The application, submitted by Josielle Gaffarena, proposes sanctioning existing ODZ buildings, some covered by an active enforcement notice, demolishing 146sq.m of illegal structures