Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542981
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 FEBRUARY 2026 NEWS Anton Cutajar seeks sanctioning of zoo irregularities Zookeeper Anton Cutajar has applied to regularise a series of irregularities at his Siġġiewi zoo, including car park, large multi-purpose tent, residence and animal enclosures ZOOKEEPER Anton Cutajar has submitted an application (6369/25) to regularise a number of illegalities at the Arka ta' Noe Zoo in Siġġiewi. Several of the irregularities are extensions outside the bounda- ries of the original permit issued in 2017. The latest application provides a detailed breakdown of the irregu- larities that Cutajar now seeks to sanction. These include the car park with 36 spaces on beaten earth next to the zoo's restrooms, in an area not covered by the orig- inal permit along Bur ix-Xewk Road. The application also seeks ap- proval for a paddock, stables and an open horse training area, also erected outside the original per- mit's confines. Additionally, it proposes the sanctioning of a large retractable and demountable multi-purpose tent, a ticket booth and souvenir outlet, the relocation and sanc- tioning of an animal enclosure for farm animals, and alterations to an enclosure for wild animals. The plan also includes a pro- posed "zookeeper residence" in the same area replacing an exist- ing irregular farmhouse and pool which will be demolished. The application is still at the screening stage. Screening appli- cations are often altered signifi- cantly to address issues raised by the Planning Authority (PA) and may never proceed to full approv- al. This application has remained in the screening stage since July last year. In October, the Environ- ment and Resources Authority (ERA) said it was still reviewing the plans. The Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC), which advis- es the PA on rural development applications, raised no objection to the new animal enclosures. It concluded that the stables are adequate from an animal welfare perspective but requested that they be moved closer to the site entrance and that a training car- ousel is removed. However, the AAC objected to the sanctioning of the tented multi-purpose hall, as such devel- opments are not permitted under the rural policy regulating ODZ developments. Furthermore, the committee noted that the appli- cant is not eligible for a residence under policy guidelines. In 2019, Cutajar had previous- ly applied to sanction the same irregularities in a proposal that included a zoo extension via a new masterplan. ERA objected to those plans, which were lat- er withdrawn. The current ap- plication does not propose any expansion beyond the footprint of the existing development. No enforcement order has ever been issued against the irregularities targeted for sanctioning. The permit to sanction Cutajar's illegally developed 10,000sq.m zoo was approved by the PA board in 2017, despite ERA's ob- jections and warning that this "would result in foreseeable future pressures for extensions." The zoo sanctioning had been approved against a fine of €50,000. In July 2025, the Planning Au- thority had approved the regu- larisation of two decades of illegal development at the Montekristo Estate in Ħal Farruġ, Siġġiewi, be- longing to the Polidano brothers. The sanctioning of the massive, mostly Outside Development Zone (ODZ) site, which includes a zoo, winery, and entertainment areas, was granted following a re- cord €1.8 million fine. Reporting by James Debono Aerial photo of site showing the new development beyond the boundaries of the original permit enclosed in blue dotted line Abela urges Opposition to take clear stance on chief justice nomination PRIME Minister Robert Abe- la has again written to the Op- position Leader Alex Borg over the selection process of a new chief justice, which will require cross-party concensus. In his letter, Abela said this is the first time that a chief justice is being selected on the basis of a two-thirds majority in parlia- ment. "That's why one can't really un- derstand this argument you're making that there's some 'es- tablished principle and practice followed consistently over the years'," Abela told Borg in the letter. He said Bernard Grech, his predecessor, had published the names of the three proposed can- didates for the role of Standards Commissioner, some of which were not consulted by Grech himself, suggesting there is little established practice on these ap- pointments. Abela said it would be a dis- service to the public to choose a chief justice on any basis other than competence, credentials, experience and integrity. "I reaffirm my availability for more discussions, however I also reaffirm the gov- ernment's un- derstanding that the Honorouble Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera has the needed qualities and cre- dentials to fulfil this role." Abela called on the Opposition to make its position clear on the government's proposal for the new chief justice. On Wednesday, Justice Minis- ter Jonathan Attard said public- ly that the government intends on nominating Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera for the role of chief justice, pending the Nation- alist Party's agreement. A day later, Borg said he was dis- appointed that the government went public with its nomi- nee, despite no agreement reached between the gov- ernment and Opposition on a formal candidate for the role. Abela then denied tell- ing Borg that the names of the nominees would not be publicly discussed. He said that the Opposition had known about Scerri Herrera's nomina- tion since 12 January, and that it was in the public interest to re- veal the government's nominee. NICOLE MEILAK nmeilak@mediatoday.com.mt Prime Minister Robert Abela has written to Alex Borg asking him to clearly state whether the Opposition agrees with government's nominee for chief justice, Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera (inset)