Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542822
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 JANUARY 2026 NEWS GRAZZI ONE 49.0% 32.41% 7.67% 5.67% 5.25% NET Xejk Smash TV F Living L-AKTAR STAZZJON PRIVAT SEGWIT FL-2025 % share tal-medja tal-viewership kuljum bejn Jannar u Diċembru 2025 ONE 49.0% MILL-ABBONATI TA' GO, MELITA U EPIC NET 32.41% re-awakened: Case officer recommends Qala ruin into 'agricultural store' Environment and Resources Authority has warned that approving the Qala proposal could open the door to a fully- development in a sensitive rural area wall and planting of trees within non-agricultural areas as being of "significant environmental con- cern". "The proposed development would result in a new modern building, which would negative- ly affect the area's rural scenery and result in the intensification of physical development in this predominant natural area," ERA noted. To address these concerns, the case officer is recommending that any approved drawings must clearly indicate the use of the building as an agricultural store. In addition, the surrounding land would have to be registered with the Agricultural Directorate, a move presented as being consist- ent with other approvals for rural structures in ODZ areas. The recommendation effective- ly acknowledges the site's trou- bled planning history. The re- port explicitly refers to "previous attempts to obtain a residential use on site" and frames the pro- posed restriction as a safeguard aimed at preventing a repeat of past controversies.wNevertheless, the proposal has attracted strong objections from third parties and the Qala local council, who have expressed fears that the restora- tion could represent a first step to- wards further development in one of the few remaining undeveloped rural pockets in the locality. While the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has cleared the restoration works, subject to strict conditions and a €2,200 bank guarantee, ERA has maintained its objection, citing environmen- tal impacts and the risk of incre- mental development. The ap- plication is being recommended for approval by the Development Management Directorate, but the case raises a broader question as to whether imposing a restrictive "agricultural store" label repre- sents a genuine safeguard against ODZ residential development or simply a procedural hurdle that allows controversial sites to inch forward through the planning sys- tem, one application at a time. In 2024, when filing this latest planning application to restore the building into an agricultural store, Agius had stated they had "listened to public feedback about this site". "Instead, we have decided to restore the old structure so that it does not continue to deterio- rate and lose its historical value," Agius had said, adding that once restored, it will be used as a "store room for agricultural purposes" and no further applications or change of use to the site will be sought. officer is recommending to be restored on condition the building is used as an agricultural store. swimming pool had caused a public outcry