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5 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2013 more development in rural areas MEPA sources expressed concern that developers could use the new policy to sanction present illegalities, as with a previous policy on the development of stables allowed to have." But environmentalists have already drawn a red line, arguing that agritourism should be limited to the footprint of existing farm buildings. Writing on his blog, AD Deputy Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo warned against agritourism driven by the construction or tourist industries. "Existing agricultural buildings validly built throughout the years should be properly utilised. There are quite a number of them, some having been abandoned years ago. If alterations to these buildings are required, they should be considered, provided that the existing footprint of the buildings is not exceeded." a appointed to ost in total denial of the current situation at Mount Carmel. In its reaction, the ministry said that it had asked the Commissioner for Mental Health to investigate the claim and make his recommendations. Grima said that he had read the internal report on the MUMN's claims, however he stressed that he had only been at Mount Carmel twice and the handover from the former CEO was still underway. "I have read the report, which goes into detail of the abuses happening at the hospital. The situation is far from perfect, and all I can say at the moment is that such abuses can never be justified." He added that he will be discussing such matters with the unions and holding talks with all stakeholders to ensure that targets are met in time and the hospital's financial and human resources are maximised. Moreover, Grima denied reports that he will be receiving a salary of around €65,000, insisting that he will be paid much less. However, he declined to disclose his expected remuneration, saying only that he will earn more or less the same salary as former CEO Dolores Gauci – "within the Foundation for Medical Services' parameters." When the news first broke of his appointment in September, it emerged that Grima was "interviewed" by health ministry and Mount Carmel staff on his knowledge of the Mental Health Services Act. But the health ministry claimed to MaltaToday that Grima was acting as an "unpaid rapporteur" during meetings on a review of mental health laws. Opposition spokesperson for health Claudio Grech has described Dolores Gauci, who has over 20 years' experience in the mental healthcare field, as a highly specialised professional who is well respected and who was originally selected from a public call for applications. On Monday, Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia said that Gauci has remained within the senior management of Mental Health Services and has been given "the prima donna role" in community mental health care as COO. Asked what qualifications Clifton Grima had to run a psychiatric hospital, Farrugia replied, "Dr Grima, with his legal and management background, is the new COO at the hospital, within a system that may have medico-legal implications". jbalzan@mediatoday.com.mt ODZ swimming pools? MEPA has already undertaken a two-week consultation on the objectives of the policy on ODZ farm development, which specifically refers to new rules on the development of swimming pools. A total of 112 submissions were made to MEPA during the two-week consultation, which expired on 16 of September. One of the declared objectives of the policy was to facilitate the redevelopment of "existing farm buildings into agritourism establishments or visitor attractions". Another policy which is being re- 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 pools inside the immediate boundaries – or "cartilage" – of existing buildings or as an extension of that cartilage. 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 a swimming pool cannot exceed 50 square metres for a single residential unit and 70 square metres for multiple residential units. Past controversies 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 controversy, resulting in major planning scandals like that which led to the resignation of ex-PN president Victor Scerri. It followed a damning report by former MEPA auditor Joe Falzon on the way in which MEPA had approved an application presented by Scerri's wife. Another controversial issue is the redevelopment of farmhouses into stables. An investigation carried out after 2008 revealed that a number of these converted buildings were being used as private residences. According to the policy approved in 2006, permission may also be granted for the erection of a single dwelling unit for an full-time farmer outside the development boundary, provided that the farmer cultivates a minimum arable land area of 30 tumoli. The justification given in this policy was that the number of arable farms with more than 30 tumoli of registered landholdings "is very limited". Moreover, this policy was to serve as a disincentive against the fragmentation of arable farm holdings. In Italy, agritourism was recognised in 1985. Statistics for the year 2010 reveal that just fewer than 20,000 agritourism operators in Italy have placed 200,000 beds on the tourism market – an average of 10 beds per operator. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt

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