Mepa has turned down a request to allow the development of seven swimming pools with decking and soft landscaping on agricultural land in a pristine ODZ area of Sannat, over an area of approximately 1,700 square metres.
The pools would have formed part of a complex of 25 apartments. The building of the apartments will be allowed as they are within the development zone.
The site is accessible from two alleys off Triq il-Kbira in Sannat. The approved development faces the Sannat Urban Conservation Area.
The Mepa board said that although the 2014 Rural and Design Policy permitted swimming pools outside the development boundaries, this should only be restricted to land that is already disturbed or land already covered by a planning permit.
It said swimming pools and soft landscaping should not become an ‘automatic’ concession in ODZ.