The Għarb Local Council is set to cast its vote on Thursday regarding PA/00266/25, a highly controversial development application that has sparked backlash from residents and environmentalists.

The proposed project, led by Justin Caruana, an employee of developer Joseph Portelli, seeks approval for excavation and construction in a rural, ODZ (Outside Development Zone) area between Birbuba and Santu Pietru.

Residents expect the council to object to the development for the same environmental reasons that led them to oppose PC/00038/20, a previous proposal in the area that was overwhelmingly rejected after a strong public outcry and thousands of objections.

The latest proposal includes the excavation of existing site levels to make way for a semi-basement, a water reservoir, and a pump room, as well as the construction of a two-storey terraced house with a set-back roof room.

Additionally, it proposes the introduction of both outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a pool bathroom, hard paving, landscaping, and rubble boundary walls.

While the main residence falls within the development zone, the most concerning aspect of the application is the planned interventions beyond the scheme boundary, which would extend into ODZ land.

According to an Environmental Report from the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), the proposal would contribute to:

• The loss of agricultural land
• Urban sprawl into ODZ areas
• The formalisation of ODZ land for residential purposes
• Increased pressure for further developments in Gozo’s rural zones

The ERA report states that this proposal is objectionable from an environmental perspective, as it threatens to gradually urbanise Gozo’s countryside and set a precedent for further development encroachments.

Residents fear that this application may be part of a larger effort to push development into protected areas, making it harder to stop future projects that could further compromise Gozo’s natural and agricultural heritage.

They are urging authorities to reject the application, warning that approving it would accelerate the loss of untouched rural land and open the door to further ODZ exploitation.

With the Għarb Local Council set to vote on Thursday, all eyes will be on whether they will uphold the environmental concerns raised by residents and experts, or allow another piece of Gozo’s rural landscape to be lost to development.

What do you make of this application?