PA approves Għargħur 'urban sprawl' despite ERA, local council objections

The Planning Authority has approved an application to build five terraced houses on farmland partly outside Gharghur’s development zone and within its Urban Conservation Area, despite objections from the environment watchdog, the town’s local council, NGOs and the public. 

The site forms part of a large stretch of fields bordering the UCA, extending down into the valley onto the scheduled Grade 1 Victoria Lines. Access to the proposed development is limited to a three-metre-wide alley with just one entry and exit point. 

The PA greenlit the plans following a recommendation for approval by a planning case officer, who said it was acceptable because it was "mostly" located within the development zone. 

Aside from receiving hundreds of objections from the public, the application received a thumbs down from the Environment Resource Authority, which argued it would constitute urban sprawl beyond the development zone and lead to the degradation of the surrounding rural landscape.  

ERA said the the proposal "involves an in-principle commitment for urban sprawl beyond existing development zones". It warned it would dominate the streetscape, scar views of the area and be out of character of the area. It cautioned that approving the project would set a precedent for further encroachment, contributing to cumulative urbanisation of the countryside, which should be "rigorously avoided". 

The Għargħur local council repeatedly objected to the application, arguing that it runs counter to the Local Plan and would undermine the village’s rural character, and "irreversibly harm" its skyline and natural boundaries. It warned that the development would harm a sensitive area within the UCA overlooking a valley and a popular footpath leading to the Victoria Lines.  

The council had also raised serious concerns about access, noting the site is served by a narrow, congested alley that could pose safety risks, particularly in emergencies. It further objected to the loss of agricultural land and called for any decision to be postponed until the ongoing review of planning policies is finalised. 

A substantial number of objections were also lodged by the public. They raised concerns about the scale, location and impact of the development. Many argued that the proposal would replace agricultural land with housing and associated structures, amounting to unjustified urbanisation of a rural area. Others highlighted the visual impact of what they described as extensive four-storey blank walls overlooking gardens and disrupting the skyline.  

Din L-Art Ħelwa president, architect and Għargħur resident Patrick Calleja argued the plans would lead to the loss of productive land, the demolition of a vernacular dwelling and significant harm to a sensitive rural landscape extending towards the Victoria Lines.

Nevertheless, the case officer recommended approval, arguing that the development is “mostly located within the development zone” and complies with key planning policies, including DC2015 and the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development. Their report stated that the proposed height, massing and design are in keeping with the surrounding streetscape and would not negatively impact the UCA skyline. It also downplayed the significance of the development’s encroachment into ODZ land, describing it as limited and acceptable. 

“Buildings will cause devastation” 

Reacting to the PA’s decision on Wednesday, NGO Moviment Graffitti said the decision to override the numerous objections was made to favour “a powerful developer.” 

“These buildings will cause devastation. They will destroy the fields, create blank party walls in the heart of the village, and completely ruin a historic farmhouse, the NGO said. 

“What do they care about the environment, quality of life, and the rural character of Għargħur? As long as the greedy are satiated, everything can be sacrificed.