Gozo pig farm application dismissed

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority yesterday unanimously dismissed an application for the development of a pig farm at l-Ghadira Street, in the limits of Kercem.

The application was refused mainly because the area where the farm was proposed is characterised by agricultural land used for crops and the proposed farm was not essential to the needs of agriculture.

Such a development would also lead to the contamination of the water catchment area, the site proposed for development was a rural conservation area of scenic value and the development would compromise the emerging Gozo and Comino local plan, Mepa said.

The authority approved a full development application for the demolition of an existing development at Ta' Monita in Swimmers' Street, Marsascala to be replaced by a residential complex comprising 114 dwelling units in four blocks, a local shop and 272 garages on four basement levels.

Other features proposed include the realignment of Bay Street and Swimmers' Street as well as the creation of a semicircular public open space.

This development was approved against a number of conditions including a planning gain of Lm25,000 to be used for environmental initiatives and a bank guarantee of Lm10,000.