Concerned residents are once again raising their voices against the latest attempt to develop agricultural land between Birbuba and Santu Pietru in Għarb, Gozo.

In a statement sent by residents of Għarb, they detailed how Justin Caruana, an employee of Joseph Portelli, has submitted application PA/00266/25, seeking permission for excavation and extensive construction in the area.

This follows his previous application (PC/00038/20), which was overwhelmingly rejected after a strong public outcry and thousands of objections.

The new application is proposing the excavation of existing site levels to allow for a semi-basement, pool, pump room, and water reservoir, and the construction of a two-storey terraced house with a semi-basement and set-back roof room.

It’s also proposing the introduction of outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a pool bathroom, and landscaping, and the construction of rubble boundary walls and hard paving beyond the development boundary (ODZ), which raises environmental concerns.

While the residential development itself falls within the development zone, the proposed interventions beyond the scheme boundary—including hard paving, boundary walls, a pool, stairs, and sanitary facilities—pose serious risks to the surrounding rural and agricultural landscape.

Residents and environmental groups argue that this proposal is a piecemeal attempt to expand urban sprawl into ODZ land, leading to:

• Loss of valuable agricultural land.
• Gradual urbanisation of the countryside.
• Formalisation of ODZ land for residential purposes.
• Setting a dangerous precedent for further developments in Gozo’s rural areas.